Department of Food & Agriculture

$11,316.00 - $14,580.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: Until Filled

Per CCR 249.3, this job control may be used to fill subsequent vacancies.

This Job Control is listed Until Filled. Applications will be reviewed on the following dates:

7/31/2026, 8/31/2026, 9/30/2026, 10/31/2026, 11/30/2026, 12/31/2026

Under the direction of the Research Scientist Manager (Branch Chief), the Research Scientist Supervisor II (RSS II) provides administrative guidance and leadership in planning, organizing, directing, and coordinating statewide animal health and food safety activities through the direct supervision and management of Veterinarian Specialists and scientific support staff to administer the provisions of the Food and Agriculture Code (FAC). In coordination with the Branch Chief, the incumbent is responsible for statewide enforcement of sensitive and complex animal health laws, formulating and administering policies pertaining to the AHB, and administering the provisions of the Food and Agriculture Code related to administrative, animal health, food safety, emergency management, and other special programs and functions. The incumbent is responsible for making original, independent decisions on complex animal health issues based on sound scientific principles of disease risk assessment and management; providing evaluations and scientific recommendations as an expert in animal health and disease surveillance, mitigation, and response; and providing management guidance and leadership in the planning, directing, and implementing of difficult and complex animal health and food safety programs and investigations that have a broad statewide scope using sound scientific theories and principles for the understanding, protection, prevention, or control of animal health diseases and food safety and security issues.

As a leader in State government, the incumbent is responsible for developing and inspiring their workforce and delivering great results for Californians and CDFA. The incumbent must set a clear vision to achieve productive results by developing plans to meet goals, leverage staff skills, and solve problems; build collaborative relationships and foster an inclusive environment for consensus-building and coach, guide, train, instruct, and develop team members; empower staff through a of shared ownership and decision-making; create an open and transparent environment for the exchange of information; foster a team environment through the support and recognition of team members; promote customer service and accountability; motivate loyalty to the Department’s mission and commitment to drive continuous improvement for better results. The incumbent must inspire personal credibility through authenticity, confidence, consistency, courage, decisiveness, generosity, honesty, integrity, and judgment, decision-making; coach, guide, train, instruct, and develop team members; empower staff through a of shared ownership and decision-making; create an open and transparent environment for the exchange of information; foster a team environment through the support and recognition of team members; promote customer service and accountability; motivate loyalty to the Department’s mission and commitment to drive continuous improvement for better results. The incumbent must inspire personal credibility through authenticity, confidence, consistency, courage, decisiveness, generosity, honesty, integrity, and judgment.

As an employee of the California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA), you are required to perform the “essential functions” of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation. If you are interested in becoming part of a diverse and inclusive workforce where talent, experience, and expertise are valued, then CDFA is the place for you!!

This CDFA work location is near restaurants, coffee shops, and a farmer’s market. We are within walking distance to light rail/public transportation, across the street from beautiful Capitol Park, and two miles from Downtown Commons (DOCO).

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. The CDFA does not participate in E-Verify for employment authorization purposes.

The duties of this position are primarily (90%) conducted indoors in an office environment located in an office building in Sacramento, CA. The workspace would include either a walled office or a cubicle-type workstation that may be individually assigned or shared with other personnel. The workstation will include a desk chair, filing cabinets, a computer with various software programs, including email, a printer, and a telephone with voicemail. The duties of this position may also require occasional time in the field (10%) to engage with field staff as needed for developing, evaluating, and implementing statewide animal health/food safety policies and procedures.

Travel by air, car, or other transportation systems (including nights and weekends) to visit branch regional offices; attend meetings, trainings, and exercises; work with industry, local, state, and federal agencies, and advisory board committee meetings will be necessary.

This position may/may not be eligible for telework. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the CDFA and based on the current telework policy. While the CDFA supports telework where possible, in-person attendance may be required based on operational needs. Employees are expected to be able to report to their worksite with minimal notification if an urgent need arises, as determined by the Department

The Mission of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is to safeguard a resilient food system and promote an equitable marketplace, cultivating a California grown food supply that is globally recognized for innovation, quality, and sustainability.

The Animal Health Branch (AHB) is the State’s organized, professional veterinary medical unit that protects California’s public health, animal agriculture, and economy from catastrophic animal diseases and other health or agricultural problems. The AHB addresses diseases and other problems that require statewide coordinated resources, implements programs that protect California’s public health and animal agriculture, and ensures the availability, affordability, and wholesomeness of food.

Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: Until Filled

Who May Apply

How To Apply

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Degree and/or School Transcripts

Hiring Unit Contact:
Angelina Mwaniki
(916) 900-5002
Angelina.Mwaniki@cdfa.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
Office of Civil Rights
(916) 654-1005
Civil_Rights@cdfa.ca.gov

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.