Title:  (Seasonal) Cotton Boll Weevil Survey Trapper #S0053

State Role Title: Agricultural Specialist III

Hiring Range: $17.00 per hour. Previous seasonal employees for this same position will be hired at a rate per the seasonal pay plan if applicable.

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Virginia Department of Agriculture

Location: MOBILE WORKERS SW

Agency Website: www.vdacs.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Office of Plant Industry Services is seeking up to two seasonal staff members to serve as Trappers in the Cotton Boll Weevil Survey Program. Duties include conducting boll weevil trap placement and monitoring in cotton fields in southeastern Virginia localities (Brunswick, Charles City, Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Essex, Greensville, Henrico, Isle of Wight, King and Queen, King William, Mecklenburg, New Kent, Prince George, Southampton, Suffolk, and Sussex). Survey activities require initial trap placement, trap inspections, and trap removal from the sites. Trap placement, trap construction, and data recorded on the trap will be subject to quality control inspections.

The selected individuals’ base point will be their home, and trappers must reside in close proximity to the work area. Additionally, trappers will report to Office of Plant Industry Services’ supervisory personnel in Virginia Beach as needed for training, to complete administrative duties, and to collect supplies.

The seasonal employment period is mid-August through mid-December. These are wage positions restricted to 1,500 hours per year and offer no state benefits. Employment is anticipated to be a maximum of 800 - 880 hours. Trappers are expected to work a 40-hour week with no overtime. The anticipated start day is August 17, 2026. Up to 2 positions will be filled from this applicant pool.

Minimum Qualifications

Proven ability to follow instructions, work independently, make decisions, organize work, and interact effectively with co-workers, supervisors, clients and the general public. Exceptional oral and written communication skills are necessary as well as experience with computers, iPads or similar devices, is required. Familiarity with a GPS unit and map reading is desired along with experience driving in rural areas. This position is physically demanding and involves considerable walking, standing, kneeling, reaching, driving for long periods, and exposure to outside weather conditions, and natural elements. Must have (or be eligible for) and maintain a valid Virginia driver’s license and have a driving record that reflects a sense of responsibility for highway safety. Use of personal vehicle is required with established mileage reimbursement. HS Diploma/GED required.

Additional Considerations

An equivalent combination of training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge and abilities may substitute for this education and experience.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that before we can legally employ an individual, we must verify both the identity and employment authorization of the individual. VDACS uses Form I-9 to satisfy this requirement. Form I-9, instructions, and the List of Acceptable Documents can be found at https://www.uscis.gov/i-9. VDACS does not offer sponsorship for employment purposes; therefore, the selected candidate will need to be able to provide acceptable documents in accordance with Form I-9 (use link above for more details). Additionally, VDACS participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For additional assistance with this requirement, please contact hr.vdacs@vdacs.virginia.gov.

Final candidate must successfully complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check.

If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 Layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources

Phone: N/A

Email: hr.vdacs@vdacs.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.