Intern - Field Operations

INTERN – FIELD OPERATIONS

(Temporary Full-Time/40 hrs wk; estimated June 8, 2026 – August 7, 2026)

Salary Information:       A07, $2,550.00/MO (FT) 

State Classification:    Clerk I - 0055

FLSA Status:                     Nonexempt

Posting Number:             26-58161-1

Location:                            Cameron or Hildalgo County

HOW TO APPLY

Apply online via CAPPS. Applicants applying through Work In Texas (WIT) will be required to complete additional supplemental questions, optionally provide EEO information including how you heard about the job, and provide an electronic signature in the CAPPS Career Section to be considered for the position. 

WHO ARE WE 

The Texas Department of Agriculture’s key objectives are to promote production agriculture, consumer protection, economic development and healthy living. 

WHAT YOU’LL DO

The Field Operations Intern will assist in conducting a variety of agricultural inspections administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) and develop and/or disseminate education and outreach to contribute to the enforcement of agriculture laws and regulations for consumer protection in the State of Texas. You will work under close supervision with minimal latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Assist in conducting a variety of inspections administered by TDA, which may include some or all of the following areas:

• inspect nursery plants, trees and shrubs for disease and insects;
• inspect nursery stock and agricultural commodities leaving or entering the state and issue phytosanitary certificates;
• inspect pesticide licensees to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
• monitor and enforce quarantines that may include the sweet potato weevil, fire ant, Japanese beetle, gypsy moth, etc.;
• draw samples of pesticides for official analyses;
• collect and remit fees to include licensing and late fees; and
• issue stop sales orders, notices of seizure inspections and certificates of inspections for quarantine compliance.
• monitor compliance with the Texas Right-to-Know Law and Federal Worker Protection Standards, which involves providing education to agricultural producers, farm laborers, schools, medical and other emergency staff regarding the effects of and treatment for improper pesticide use;
• conduct compliance inspections of pesticide dealers’ records of pesticide distribution;
• conduct pesticide use observations;
• collect and ship food commodity samples for the food safety program; and
• inspect a variety of records for structural pest control commercial and noncommercial businesses. 
• conduct various quarantine inspections. 

Complete accurate, detailed reports related to inspections, travel vouchers and mileage reports; complete various weekly and end-of-month reports.

Follow all TDA policies and procedures.

Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POSITION (To be considered for the position, applicants must submit a State of Texas Application through CAPPS or WIT – experience listed on the application and/or resume must state how each of the following qualifications are met).

Enrollment in a college, university, or graduate program or a recent graduate with a minimum grade point average of 3.0*. 

Completion of at least 60 credit hours.*

Must reside in Cameron or Hidalgo County.

Required to travel up to 60% of the work period.

Valid Texas driver’s license and an acceptable driving record.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Knowledge of office procedures; of spelling, punctuation, and grammar; and of business or program terminology, methods, and procedures. 

Skill in the use of a computer and office equipment; and providing customer service excellence to both internal and external customers. 

Ability to prepare and maintain records, files, and reports; to transfer stock from one location to another; and to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; and exercise sound judgment and discretion.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS

Requires working outdoors and exposure to extremes in temperatures (including high-low temperature changes and variable climatic conditions such as rain, fog, dust, fumes, gases, and odors); extensive moving and remaining stationary; walking; standing; pulling and pushing; kneeling, stooping and bending; safely lifting and/or carrying items weighing up to 50 pounds; slippery and uneven walking surfaces operating heavy equipment/machinery; safely handling hazardous and/or flammable materials; exposure to live insects and animals; and exposure to dust. Requires wearing protective clothing and safety equipment, including a half-face respirator when necessary. Involves safely operating a TDA vehicle and driving for long distances. May involve travel (up to 60%*), occasionally overnight.

H-1B Visa Sponsorship 

We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.

BENEFITS

The State of Texas offers a variety of benefits for you and your family that are comprehensive and, on average, make up about one-third of total compensation. Benefits include:

• Retirement Plan
• Paid Group Health & Life Insurance for employees 
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Vacation Leave
• Paid Sick Leave
• Longevity Pay
• Dental
• Vision
• Dependent Optional Life Insurance
• Voluntary AD&D Insurance
• Dependent Health & Life Insurance
• Health & Dependent care flexible spending accounts

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. A skills exercise may be conducted at the time of the interview. 

Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls.  If you submitted your application through the CAPPS Careers Section , you may check the status of your application by accessing your profile and selecting My Jobpage and then selecting My Submissions. To be considered for the position, applicants must complete additional supplemental questions, optionally provide EEO information including how you heard about the job, and provide an electronic signature in the CAPPS Career Section. 

*A valid government-issued driver’s license, which is recognized by the Texas Department of Public Safety and in good standing, and an acceptable driving record are required. TDA will verify this information with the Texas Department of Public Safety. Applicants with a driver’s license not issued by the State of Texas should obtain and be prepared to provide a copy of their current driving record on or before their first day

Background Checks: A criminal conviction records check is required for applicants who are selected for a position.

**Foreign Credentials: upload an evaluation of your coursework if you have obtained a degree(s) from a school outside of the United States; otherwise, we cannot give you credit for your degree. Some organizations that provide evaluation services are:

Foreign Credential Services of America

1910 Justin Lane, Austin, TX 78757-2411
Phone: 512-459-8428

SpanTran: The Evaluation Company

2400 Augusta Drive, Suite 451 Houston, TX 77057
Phone: 713-266-8805

Global Credential Evaluators, Inc.

P.O. Box 9203 College Station, TX 77842
Phone: 512-528-0908

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO): TDA is an equal employment opportunity (EEO) employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, military status, or protected activity.

Reasonable Accommodations: If you are scheduled for an interview and require any reasonable accommodation in our interview process, please inform the hiring representative who calls you to schedule your interview or an HR representative at 512-463-7423.  Whenever possible, please give the hiring or HR representative sufficient time to consider and respond to your request.

TDA participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security, with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. 

Military and Former Foster Child Employment Preference: TDA complies with the provisions of the veterans and former foster child employment preference acts. Please contact our Human Resources-Veterans Liaison at (512) 463-7454 for assistance. 

Go to https://texasskillstowork.com/, https://www.onetonline.org/, or http://www.careeronestop.org/ for assistance in translating your military experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications/requirements, and skill sets.

Additional Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Code or Crosswalk information is available from the Texas State Auditor’s Office at  Compliance, Inspection and Investigation MOS Codes.