Agricultural Biologist & Standards Officer I/II/III
Salary : $50,760.00 - $101,568.00 Annually
Location : Colusa, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2026-00025
Department: Ag Commissioner
Opening Date: 05/13/2026
Closing Date: 5/31/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Definition & Distinguishing Characteristics
Are you passionate about promoting agriculture and ensuring food security for your community and beyond? Join the Colusa County Ag Department as an Agricultural Biologist & Standards Officer, where agriculture is the number one industry.
We are committed to supporting growers and industry leaders in producing the safest, healthiest, and most abundant food supply. We advocate for agriculture daily, making a tangible impact locally and globally.
At Colusa County, we prioritize your career growth. We offer a clear promotional ladder where dedication and hard work are rewarded with advancement opportunities. Training and professional development are integral to our success. Join us and be part of a team where your career goals are a priority. If you're interested, check out the job description pages HERE.
There is a position available in the Colusa County Agricultural Department that can be filled at any level, depending on the qualifications of the successful applicant. This recruitment will fill a current vacancy and establish an eligibility list for future openings without needing to repost.
What's this Job All About?In this role, you will assist the agricultural industry in Colusa County to navigate the laws and regulations surrounding production agriculture, providing them with assistance in obtaining the proper licensing, permitting, and training required to be compliant with their business operations. We also inspect crops and certify them for export to countries all over the world. Additionally, we provide consumer protection and help to maintain a fair and equitable marketplace throughout the county through inspections and certifications in our Weights and Measures Programs.
What are the benefits?
- A beautiful, safe community in which to work and serve.
- A caring, empathetic, & fun work family that you will be welcomed into.
- A job with WORK-LIFE BALANCE
- Competitive salary commensurate with education & experience
- A LIFETIME PAYCHECK (3% @ 60 for Classic Members and 2% @ 62 for New Members) - As long as you work for 5 years and vest in the CalPERS system, you will receive a retirement paycheck for the rest of your life.
- Amazing health care BENEFITS at NO COST to you - Unless you choose a premium health care plan.
- Authentically kind and engaged leadership who truly enjoy developing staff.
- 457 Deferred Compensation.
- PAID vacation, PAID holidays (15), and PAID leave if you get sick.
- Vacation Parity - Previous service with a public agency counts towards vacation accrual at Colusa County. A public agency includes cities, counties, districts, military and similar entities. To learn more about vacation parity please see our benefit summary.
COME WORK FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUSA: WE'RE WAITING FOR YOU!
Supervision & Examples of Duties
Agricultural Biologist & Standards Officer (ABSO) I
Receives direct supervision from the Deputy Agricultural Commissioner and Sealer of Weights and Measures and technical direction and guidance from ABSO II/III.
Agricultural Biologist & Standards Officer (ABSO) II
Receives general supervision from the Deputy Agricultural Commissioner and Sealer of Weights and Measures and technical direction and guidance from ABSO III. May exercise functional and technical oversight over ABSO I. May be asked to provide feedback on the observed progress of ABSO I to Deputy.
Agricultural Biologist & Standards Officer (ABSO) III
Receives minimal supervision from the Deputy Agricultural Commissioner and Sealer of Weights and Measures. May exercise functional and technical oversight over ABSO I/II. May be asked to provide feedback on the observed progress of ABSO I/II to Deputy.
Qualifications
ABSO I
Experience:
No prior County Agricultural Commissioner experience is required for entry into this classification.
Training:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in agricultural, biological, chemical, or physical sciences; or any discipline with a minimum of 30 semester units or equivalent, in one or any combination of the qualifying disciplines; or any other qualifying degree as determined by the California Department of Food & Agriculture Licensing Division.
License or Certificate:
Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid driver's license.
Possession of, or the ability to obtain within one year, one (1) license issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture:
- Pesticide Regulation
ABSO II
Experience:
One year of increasingly responsible experience in inspection and enforcement of agriculture, and weights and measures programs.
License or Certificate:
Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid driver's license.
Possession of three (3) licenses.
County Agricultural Inspector/Biologist License issued by the Department of Food and Agriculture for:
- Pesticide Regulation
- Pest Prevention and Plant Regulation
County Weights and Measures Inspector License issued by the Department of Food and Agriculture for:
- Weight Verification
ABSO III
Experience:
Two years of increasingly responsible experience in inspection and enforcement of agriculture, and weights and measures programs.
License or Certificate:
Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid driver's license.
Possession of seven (7) licenses and two (2) California certificates as follows:
Licenses:
County Agricultural Inspector/Biologist License issued by the Department of Food and Agriculture for:
- Pesticide Regulation
- Pest Prevention and Plant Regulation
- Investigation & Environmental Monitoring
- Integrated Pest Management
County Weights and Measures Inspector License issued by the Department of Food and Agriculture for:
- Measurement Verification
- Weight Verification
United States Department of Agriculture License issued by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service for:
- Accredited Certifying Official
California Certificates:
- California Structural Pest Control Certification issued by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation.
- California Seed Sampler Certification issued by the California Crop Improvement Association/AASCO Training
Supplemental Information
Salary information (based on 40 hour work week):
ABSOI - $4,230-6,945 per month
ABSOII - $4,672-7,666 per month
ABSOIII - $5,158-8,464 per month
The salary range consists of 15 steps. Steps 1-6 are annual merit steps with approximately 5% difference between each step, based on successful performance. Steps 7-15 are additional merit steps, requiring 2 years of satisfactory performance at the previous step. Steps 7-14 provide 2.5% increases, while Step 15 offers a 5% increase. The final salary offered will depend on the applicant's experience and qualifications, ranging from steps 1 to 15.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Thank you for your interest in employment with the County of Colusa.
You must demonstrate that you meet the minimum qualifications of the position. Please be detailed in the job duties of your work history to clearly demonstrate the duties that are relevant to the position in which you are applying.
All sections of the application MUST be completed. Required documents such as a resume, cover letter, references, and any position-specific certifications must be attached and are not accepted in place of completing the application. Blank applications that reference "see resume" will be disqualified. As your resume and supplemental materials will not be considered as part of the initial screening process.
Be sure to review your application prior to submission. No new or additional information will be accepted after the closing date.
Application materials are the property of the County of Colusa and will not be returned.
It is your responsibility to keep your NEOGOV profile updated, including any changes to your telephone number and email address. Failure to do so may result in a missed notification of exams or interviews.
The minimum qualifications as stated in this job announcement represent only the basic requirements of the position. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee that a candidate will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.
Questions?
If you have questions regarding this job announcement or the application process:
For a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to the NEOGOV application process, visit
Email the Human Resources Department at or call 530-458-0420.
Addtional Information:
Colusa County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
ALL Colusa County employees automatically become Disaster Service Workers. This means that when Colusa County experiences emergencies (earthquake, wildfire, power outage, flood, etc.) you may be asked to pivot from your regular duties to provide critical services to those affected by the emergency (CA Govt Code ยง 3102). As a designated Disaster Worker, you will be required to complete training and may be required report for work during emergencies.
Colusa County does not reimburse travel expenses for employment applications.
The county participates in E-Verify.
Retirees may be subject to hiring restrictions according to Government Code Section 21221 (h) and 21224 for California Public Sector Pension Plan Retirees.
Colusa County offers an excellent benefit package. For a summary of benefits, please click here: 2026 Benefit Summary
01
Please list all licenses and certifications you currently possess that are relevant to the requirements for this position/level. Include the issuing agency and expiration date, if applicable.
02
Have you attached copies of all licenses and certifications you currently possess to your application materials?
- Yes
- No
03
Do you possess a valid California driver's license?
- Yes
- No
Required Question