PCA

Produce Careers•Salinas, CA

104d•Onsite

About The Position

Seeking a Pest Control Advisor to advise and oversee the pest control business while utilizing sound Integrated Pest Management practices in organic and conventional vegetable production. The Pest Control Advisor oversees all scouting, pest monitoring, and sampling activities to ensure accurate field intelligence and effective integrated pest management. This role develops pest control recommendations, evaluates pest pressure trends, and ensures full compliance with California DPR regulations. The Pest Control Advisor serves as a primary liaison between applicators and ranch managers, coordinating treatment strategies, and supporting timely, informed decisions that protect crop health and optimize field operations.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Sciences or related field, required.
Must have a PCA License.
Must have worked in the vegetable industry for 3-5 years.
Valid California Agricultural Pest Control Adviser (PCA) License, required.
Thorough knowledge of agricultural pests and their control in organic and conventional systems, required.
Computer literate with good working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite software and ability to learn internal record keeping and data collection software.
Attention to detail, thoroughness, and good analytical skills are a must.
Must have strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to interact effectively with all levels of employees and management.
Must be available for periodic night calls to guide night foreman.
Must have a valid Driver's License with a clean OMV driving record and meet insurance requirements.
Knowledge of agricultural production methods, pest and beneficial insect identification, pesticide use, fertilizer management, and product label interpretation.
Understanding of pesticide selection based on crop destination, residue limits, and California DPR regulatory requirements.
Strong leadership abilities with experience supervising, motivating, and guiding field teams.
Excellent judgment and decision-making skills for pest identification, treatment strategies, and field-level problem solving.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced farming environment.
Effective verbal and written communication skills for conveying scouting results, analyses, and recommendations.
Ability to work variable schedules during the Salinas season in outdoor farming conditions to support operational needs.

Nice To Haves

Fluency in Spanish desirable.
5 plus years of field experience.
Curious, highly focused, tedious personal nature with the ability to interact with farmers.
Knowledge of trucks, tractors, spray equipment and maintenance needs.

Responsibilities

Oversee all scouting, pest monitoring, and sampling activities to ensure accurate field intelligence and effective integrated pest management.
Develop pest control recommendations.
Evaluate pest pressure trends.
Ensure full compliance with California DPR regulations.
Serve as a primary liaison between applicators and ranch managers.
Coordinate treatment strategies.
Support timely, informed decisions that protect crop health and optimize field operations.
Guide night foreman.
Keep PCB in compliance with county and state regulations.