Economic Entomologist Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established January 24, 1973

Scope

This series specification describes the Economic Entomologist classes within the State service field of pest exclusion, detection, and control and eradication.

Definition of Series

The Economic Entomologist series describes professional positions involved in various activities directed at the detection, control, and�eradication�of insect pests which may have an adverse effect on California agriculture.

Incumbents in these classes conduct control and eradication projects or aid counties in detection projects; direct field surveys to determine the extent and status of insect pests and their hosts; devise methods for eradication and control or detection of insect pests; personally make evaluative surveys as required; locate commercial pest control operators, secure bids, and formulate contracts for the application of insecticides or other procedures concerned with control and eradication projects; evaluate effectiveness of the procedures used in control and eradicating and survey detection projects.

Entry Levels

Entry into this series is typically at the class of Economic Entomologist.

Factors Affecting Position Allocation

Level and variety of work assigned; independence of action; level of expertise in economic entomology; degree of responsibility for policy formulation and implementation; degree of supervision received and exercised and size of staff.

Definition of Levels

Economic Entomologist

This is the entry, training, and intermediate working level. Under close supervision as a trainee, incumbents work to become specialized in the economic branch of the profession. Additionally, incumbents work with one of the State-county cooperative programs in the detection, eradication, control or exclusion of plant pests.

At the intermediate level, incumbents work under general supervision and perform work of average difficulty that does not include the complete range of varied or difficult assignments.

Associate Economic Entomologist

This is the fully qualified journey level. Under direction, incumbents perform the full range of duties involving planning, organizing, and coordinating one of the State-county cooperative programs in the exclusion, eradication, or control of plant pests. Incumbents may work independently or perform lead tasks in either a detection, exclusion or control and eradication program. Incumbents develop and direct field surveys; devise survey techniques; and conduct advisory and training services to various agricultural interests within assigned district of responsibility.

Senior Economic Entomologist (Specialist)

This is the staff specialist level in the series. As a specialist, incumbents provide senior level scientific staff guidance and training on a statewide basis relating to areas of technical, entomological, methodology, and evaluation.

"This class is distinguished from the Associate Economic Entomologist by assignment of projects of statewide scope or projects with potential for major statewide economic impact. Incumbents are experts in�regard�to�certain insects or groups of insects as demonstrated by scope of experience and publications."

Senior Economic Entomologist (Supervisor)

This is the first supervisory level. As a supervisor, incumbents are responsible for planning, organizing, and directing subordinates in insect pest detection, exclusion, control and eradication activities in either a statewide control and eradication�project�or in a large county pest detection assignment. Incumbents develop new pest detection, eradication, control and exclusion methods; plan and conduct training to State and county personnel; and assist in policy evaluations.

Minimum Qualifications

Economic Entomologist

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with major work in zoological sciences including at least 20 units in entomology. (Senior students registered in a recognized college will be admitted to the examination, but they must produce evidence of graduation or its equivalent before they can be considered eligible for appointment.)

Associate Economic Entomologist

Either I

One year of experience in the California state service performing the duties of an Economic Entomologist, Range B.

Or II

Experience: Four years of professional experience in economic entomology. (Possession of a Ph.D. may be substituted for the required experience or possession of a Master's Degree in Entomology may be substituted for two years of the required experience.) and

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with major work in zoological sciences including at least 20 units in entomology.

Senior Economic Entomologist (Specialist)

Senior Economic Entomologist (Supervisor)

Either I

One year of experience in the California state service performing the duties of an Associate Economic Entomologist.

Or II

Experience: Five years of professional experience in economic entomology at least one year of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. (Possession of a Ph.D. in Entomology may be substituted for three years of the required non-supervisory experience.) and

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with major work in zoological sciences including at least 20 units in entomology.

Knowledge and Abilities

Economic Entomologist

Knowledge of: Taxonomy and economics of the major plant pest insects, other anthropods and mollusks of California and the United States; general principles and techniques used in identifying, evaluating, excluding, detection, eradicating, or controlling these pests; various literature sources pertaining to entomology, agricultural, horticultural, and native plants, the relationship of plants, plant pests, and pest control to the agricultural environment; provisions of the California Food and Agricultural Code and rules and regulations relating to entomology.

Ability to: Demonstrate and perform a variety of less complex analyses and eradication or control tasks and become more proficient in specialized control techniques; learn more complex work and specialize in the eradication and control of insects, other anthropods, or mollusks; evaluate pest status; provide lead direction to the work of field crews in control activities as part of a major project or take charge as project leader of a smaller project; apply provisions of the California Food and Agricultural Code, rules, and regulations relating to entomology.

Associate Economic Entomologist

Knowledge of: All of the above, and a very high degree of specialization in the application of pest exclusion, detection, or eradication control techniques against insects, other anthropods, or mollusks, principles of training, methods used in entomological pest evaluation.

Ability to: All of the above, and achieve professional competence in the field of entomological pest exclusion, detection, eradication, and control; do highly specialized analysis, studies and investigations; train technicians and other entomologists; effectively apply principles of training and take charge.

Senior Economic Entomologist (Specialist)

Knowledge of: All of the above.

Ability to: All of the above, and deliver public addresses; manage project budgeting.

Senior Economic Entomologist (Supervisor)

Knowledge of: All of the above, and the department's Affirmative Action Program objectives, a manager's role in the Affirmative Action Program, and the processes available to meet affirmative action objectives.

Ability to: All of the above, and incumbents at this level must demonstrate ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of a staff of entomologists, technicians, seasonal helpers, and clericals making up a major statewide pest exclusion, detection, eradication, or control project; coordinate the work of this unit with other units or agencies; and effectively contribute to the department's affirmative action objectives.

Special Personal Characteristic

All Levels:

Willingness to travel throughout the State. Frequency of travel is greater at the Economic Entomologist and Associate Economic Entomologist levels.

Class History