AGRICULTURAL CHEMICAL SPRAYER - Los Angeles, CA

Positions allocable to this class have responsibility for selecting and applying pesticide treatments to the grounds and property of the County and to public areas under contract to the County. Positions in this class typically report to a Regional Grounds Maintenance Supervisor, Regional Park Superintendent, or Flood Control Construction Supervisor. Incumbents must have a working knowledge of pesticide laws and regulations as set forth by the California Department of Food and Agriculture, California Department of Pesticide Regulation, the California Environmental Protection Agency and other regulatory agencies.

Some positions may be required to provide technical supervision to a small crew of workers in the safe and effective application of restricted agricultural and related pesticides and must be able to communicate effectively orally and in writing and exercise basic supervisory skills.

Positions in this class usually perform arduous tasks such as bending, stooping, and lifting heavy objects in the performance of their duties.

• Selects, mixes, and applies or participates in the selection, mixing, and application of various pesticides such as insecticides, algaecides, rodenticides, herbicides, and fungicides for areas such as turf, fence lines, ball diamonds, planter and shrub beds, waterways, access roads, parks, government building exteriors, landscaping on median strips, parkway planters on public roadways, and public jurisdiction rights-of-way.
• Uses respirators and appropriate personal protective equipment in the application of pesticides as required by the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal-OSHA), California Department of Food and Agriculture, and other regulatory agencies.
• Develops vegetation control spray programs and schedules for a maintenance area or region of a County Department and participates in the management of such programs including estimating cost and staying within budget with Departmental Service Orders (DSO).
• Maintains spray equipment in proper working order including preventive maintenance and minor repairs. 
• Oversees and ensures compliance with label requirements.
• Orders and may issue controlled pesticides.
• Keeps records, prepares, and maintains reports regarding control and use of pesticides using electronic devices and various software programs.
• Documents and verifies billable hours for the work performed consistent with Departmental Service Orders (DSO)and contract work.
• Responsible for the safe storage and use of pesticides in conformance with regulations of the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) and State Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR), Los Angeles County Fire Department, and the Department of Agricultural Commissioner/Weights and Measures.
• Provides safety training to pesticide applicators and others associated with pesticide applications.
• Provides technical direction in the safe and effective application of restricted and non-restricted pesticides to a small crew of Weed Hazard Pest Abatement Workers, Senior Weed Abatement Workers, Pest Control Workers, Grounds Maintenance Workers, Public Works Maintenance Workers, Public Works Laborers and/or other workers performing pesticide spraying activities.
• Drives and operates vehicles such as, but not limited to, small to large pickup trucks, crew cab trucks, and heavy vehicles with motorized spray equipment to various jobsite locations.
• Cleans facilities or sites after performing work assignments.
• Cover areas to specified depths with pesticides, applying knowledge of weather conditions, droplet sizes, elevation-to-distance ratios, and obstructions. Assesses work site for areas of special concerns or sensitive sites and recommends mitigation measures as appropriate.
• Use of traps and firearms in the performance of managing Vertebrate Pest Programs, as needed.