Biologist / Standards Specialist I/II/III/IV (Open)

Salary : $95,825.60 - $154,793.60 Annually
Location : County of San Mateo, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: J065L
Department: Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer
Opening Date: 11/02/2026
Closing Date: 11/16/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: 02

Description

Biologist/Standards Specialists work in the office of the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer, a regulatory agency that provides a variety of environmental and consumer protection services throughout the County. Duties include field inspections and investigations related to the enforcement of laws and regulations governing pesticide use, plant quarantine, fruit and vegetable quality standards and the testing and certification of weighing and measuring devices for accuracy. The work schedule for this position may include early morning hours and weekend assignments.

The ideal candidate will have a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college in agriculture, biological sciences, or a related field, and a working knowledge in the enforcement of agricultural laws and regulations. Additionally, the ideal candidate will have strong writing skills, the ability to draft and maintain reports, and communicate effectively with the public, co-workers, consumers and industry representatives to provide information or obtain compliance with enforcement actions.

Appointment to this position may be made at a level commensurate to the qualifications of the successful candidate. Additional qualifications beyond the minimum required for the Biologist / Standards Specialist I position are as follows:

• Biologist/Standards Specialist II - Six months of experience in addition to the required licenses issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).
• Biologist/Standards Specialist III - Two years of experience in addition to the required licenses issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).
• Biologist/Standards Specialist IV - Three years of experience in addition to the required licenses issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).

Note: The list created from this recruitment, may be used to fill unclassified/classified vacancies, as well as Extra-help assignments.
Qualifications

Biologist/Standards Specialist I - IV (all levels)
License: Possession of a class C driver license or equivalent.
Education: Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college with major work in agricultural, biological or physical sciences, or other appropriate disciplines as determined by the Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).

Biologist/Standards Specialist II - IV
Experience and Licenses: Experience in the enforcement of agricultural and/or weights and measures laws and regulations and licensure by the CDFA in agriculture or weights and measures inspection. (See supplemental application for specific information.)
Application/Examination

Open. Anyone may apply. A supplemental application form must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. The examination process will consist of an application screening (weight: pass/fail) based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%) which may include a writing and/or performance exercise(s) given before, during or after the interview. Depending on the number of applicants an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or a screening committee may select those applicants whose education and/or experience appear to best meet the needs of the position. Possession of minimum qualifications does not guarantee advancement in the examination process. All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, California and applicants must participate at their own expense.

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click on the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to to apply. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE:
Final Filing Date: Monday, November 16, 2026Application Screening: Tuesday, November 17, 2026
Combined Panel Interviews: December 16 and/or 17, 2026

Analyst: Arlene Cahill (11022026) (Biologist/Standards Specialist I/II/III/IV - J062/J063/J064/J065)
We invite you to explore our page for a snapshot of the comprehensive and competitive benefits available to eligible employees of the County of San Mateo. From health and wellness to financial security, our benefits are designed to support you at every stage of your career. (Please note that benefits are subject to change.)

In addition to core benefits, the County is proud to offer a variety of wellness and professional development programs to help you grow both personally and professionally. Most of these enriching opportunities are available during work hours and come at no cost to you.

As a County employee, you'll also be covered by the federal Social Security system, earning valuable retirement benefits based on your salary and years of service.
01

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: As an applicant, you are required to submit responses to the following supplemental questions. Your responses will be used in the selection process. Completeness, neatness, clarity of expression, grammar, spelling and ability to follow instructions will be considered in the evaluation process. Be concise and specific. Pay close attention to the questions that correspond to the position for which you are applying. If a question is not applicable to the position you are applying for, state "NA" in the text box. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for your response to these questions.

• I have read and understand this important information.

02

Please read carefully the license requirements for each level below and indicate the level that you are applying for:

• Biologist/Standards Specialist I: Requires a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college with specialization in one or more appropriate disciplines in agricultural, biological, chemical or physical sciences, or other appropriate disciplines as determined by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).
• Biologist/Standards Specialist II: Requires one license issued by the CDFA in agricultural inspection or weights and measures inspection...and six months experience in the enforcement of agricultural laws and regulations.
• Biologist/Standards Specialist III: Requires licenses issued by the CDFA in: 1) Pest Prevention & Plant Regulation; 2) Pesticide Regulation and Environmental Monitoring and Investigation (both licenses required); and 3) Commodity Regulation or licenses issued by the CDFA in: 1) Weight Verification; 2) Measurement Verification; and 3) Transaction and Product Verification or licenses issued by the CDFA in Measurement Verification; Pest Prevention and Plant Regulation; plus one additional licensing program in either the Agriculture option or the Weights and Measures option listed above...and two years experience in the enforcement of agricultural laws and regulations.
• Biologist/Standards Specialist IV: Requires licenses issued by the CDFA in Pest Prevention and Plant Regulation; Pesticide Regulation; Environmental Monitoring and Investigation; Commodity Regulation; Integrated Pest Management; Weight Verification; Measurement Verification; and Transaction and Product Verification...and three years experience in the enforcement of agricultural and/or weights and measures laws and regulations.

• Biologist/Standards Specialist I
• Biologist/Standards Specialist II
• Biologist/Standards Specialist III
• Biologist/Standards Specialist IV

03

Do you have a valid CA driver license or equivalent?

• Yes
• No

04

Check any of the following licenses issued by CDFA that you currently possess:

• Pest Prevention and Plant Regulation
• Pesticide Regulation
• Investigation and Environmental Monitoring
• Commodity Regulation
• Integrated Pest Management
• Weight Verification
• Measurement Verification
• Transaction and Product Verification
• None

05

If applying for BSS I: Explain how your educational background has prepared you for this position. Be sure to (A) indicate your degree/major; and (B) list the courses you have completed and the corresponding units received in agricultural and/or biological sciences. (A copy of your transcript will NOT be accepted in lieu of your response to this question.)
06

If applying for BSS I: Describe the most important skills and methods you would use to ensure public or business compliance with laws or regulations.
07

If applying for BSS I: Describe a specific problem that required you to analyze and interpret written information in order to find a solution. Indicate the problem, the information you needed to analyze/interpret, and your solution.
08

If applying for BSS II-IV: Describe your experience working in specific program areas related to the enforcement of agricultural and/or weights and measures laws and regulations. Include details about each program, your roles and responsibilities, and years of experience in each area.
09

If applying for BSS II-IV: Describe one challenging investigation or compliance issue you have handled. Explain your methods, role, team involved and the outcome.
10

If applying for BSS I-IV: Describe your knowledge and/or experience in keeping accurate records and preparing clear, concise and accurate reports.
11

If applying for BSS I-IV: Describe your knowledge and/or experience in the identification and control of insect pests, plant diseases and weeds.
12

Bilingual language skills are sometimes required depending on the needs of the community being served. Though this current recruitment does not require bilingual skills, the hiring list generated by this recruitment could be used to fill future vacancies. Please indicate your fluency in any language(s) below in addition to English. (Check all that apply)

• Cantonese
• Chinese
• Hindi
• Mandarin
• Portugese
• Vietnamese
• Spanish
• Tagalog
• N/A

13

How did you learn about this position?

• County of San Mateo Website
• County of San Mateo Job Interest Card Notification
• County Hosted Virtual Event
• County Hosted Job Fair
• CalOpps.org
• Civic Match
• College/University Career Center
• Community-based Organization Posting
• Facebook/Instagram
• Friend or Relative
• GovernmentJobs.com
• Indeed
• Job Fair
• LinkedIn
• Professional Publication/Website (Please specify in next question)
• X (formerly called Twitter)
• Zip Recruiter
• Other (Please specify in next question)

14

If you answered, "Professional Publication/Website" or "Other" to the above question, please indicate below how you learned about this position. Your response to this question will help us in better marketing County jobs. Type NA if not applicable.
Required Question