Seasonal Vector Surveillance Technician 1

No Phone Calls Please - Open to Local Candidates only; Tulare and Kings Counties Seasonal Positions Available: March to May. May vary depending on weather conditions. Delta Mosquito and Vector Control District DEFINITION Under supervision, sets and retrieves mosquito and vector surveillance traps; maintains assigned equipment, laboratory space, and other workspace; supports field operations as needed, and completes other related tasks that support the District mission as required. POSITION STATUS This is a temporary, at-will and non-benefited position. Assignment to this position cannot exceed 1,000 hours in a fiscal year. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Under supervision, the Vector Surveillance Technician (VST) carries out assignments as trained, the details of which have been planned and organized by supervisory staff. Work is performed in accordance with established methods and safety protocols. Work assignments are accompanied by oral or written instructions. The VST prepares, sets, and collects vector traps throughout the District and is responsible for the cleaning, maintenance, and simple repairing of all traps. When laboratory technicians interact with members of the public, they must do so in a calm, courteous, and professional manner. VSTs use mobile data collection devices to accurately record daily activities relating to surveillance, specimen collection, safety inspections, and other laboratory or field activities. Technicians use a combination of mobile mapping applications, such as Google or Apple maps, and paper maps to safely navigate to locations throughout the District. VSTs are required to practice effective time-management skills to successfully complete assigned tasks independently or cooperatively with others. VSTs must safely drive motor vehicles on public and private roads and operate hand and power equipment as well as other tools. The individual is expected to maintain a clean and safe work vehicle and to maintain other equipment appropriately. Mechanical issues with their assigned motor vehicle or other equipment are promptly reported to supervisors. The individual must follow all safety policies and wear appropriate protective equipment as required by Federal, State, Local, and District policies and regulations. VSTs assist in maintaining a clean and organized workplace, which includes disinfecting work counters, sweeping, mopping, taking out trash, organizing, cleaning bathrooms, and other necessary activities. Appropriate personal protective equipment is supplied for all activities. The VST works throughout the District including on public, residential, agricultural, and commercial properties in a variety of conditions. Physical labor such as loading and carrying surveillance equipment and supplies to work vehicles, trap locations, and storage areas as well as walking over rough terrain to place surveillance traps is necessary. The Vector Surveillance Technician occasionally collects animal and bird carcasses that are potentially infected with vector-borne pathogens. Laboratory Technicians may assist in the identification of mosquito species, processing larval specimens, and maintaining the mosquitofish hatchery after their primary daily responsibilities are complete. The Vector Surveillance Technician may be periodically rotated into vector control operations where they will provide support for operations including rural and residential vector control, inspections and treatments. This will typically be done under the direct guidance of operations staff but a certified, experienced VST may be given operations assignments with greater autonomy. Technicians attend training sessions and read provided manuals to keep informed of regulations, policies and procedures. Technicians notify supervisors of progress and problems, requesting consultation as required. Employees are responsible for following all protocols and guidelines provided. Other duties that support the District’s goals may be assigned. QUALIFICATIONS Education: High School Diploma or G.E.D. equivalent Knowledge of: Standard vehicle operation including observing legal and defensive driving practices. Reading, writing, and oral communication. Time management and working independently as well as cooperatively with others. Mobile phone, tablet, and/or laptop operations. Basic mathematical operations. General biology. Accurate recordkeeping. Skilled in: Use of mobile phone, tablet, and/or laptop. Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to: Learn specific tasks such as assembling mosquito traps and operating specialized equipment. Understand and follow oral and written instructions including those in text, diagram, or schedule form. Establish and maintain good working relationships with the public and fellow employees. Make accurate observations and maintain detailed records, field notes, and maps. Accurately record data using a mobile device. Navigate to various locations using a mobile device. Understand Safety Data Sheets and chemical or pesticide label information. Work independently and responsibly to complete assigned activities in a timely manner without direct supervision. Learn basic mosquito life cycles and to make field identifications of life stages. Complete daily vehicle safety inspection, fuel vehicle, and maintain a clean, organized work vehicle. Perform moderate to heavy physical labor frequently in temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Accurately calculate, measure, and adjust required supplies and equipment. Learn pesticide use and safety to assist in vector control operations. Correctly use personal protective equipment. Licenses, certificates, and other special requirements: Possession of a valid California Class C driver’s license with a good driving record during the entire time of employment. Employees are enrolled in the DMV Pull Notice Program. Must qualify for insurance coverage by the District’s insurance carrier. No major violations and no more than 3 points in a 12-month period, 5 in a 24-month, or 7 in a 36-month period on driving record. A DMV printout is required. Must be at least 18 years old. Successful completion of pre-employment physical examination, background check, and drug screening paid for by the District. WORKING CONDITIONS & SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION The majority of the work in this position is performed outdoors in varying temperatures and within and around various types of aquatic habitats, including polluted water sources. Hazards may include insect bites, chemicals, fumes, dust, hazardous materials, venomous insects, vectors and vector-borne diseases, rough terrain, inclement weather conditions, vicious animals, poisonous plants, and venomous animals. This position requires frequent driving of automatic transmission vehicles as well as getting in and out of vehicles frequently. A portion of this work is performed indoors and may include working in high humidity or temperature environments such as the insectary or fish hatchery. The following list of mental and physical demands are required to successfully perform the essential job duties of this class: Physically able to perform manual labor, lift weights up to 50 pounds. Work under hot and unpleasant weather and environmental conditions, outdoors. Perform repetitive motions such as those associated with mobile device usage, loading/unloading work vehicles. Walk long distances and traverse rough, sloping and/or uneven ground such as yards, fields, dirt banks, stream beds, and shallow ponds. Ability to swim. Ability to tolerate insect bites and stings such as mosquito bites and bee stings, etc. Ability to be vaccinated for various diseases to which the employee may be exposed to in the course of duties. Vaccinations may be required, at District expense, depending on changing exposure risk. Job Types: Full-time, Temporary Pay: $18.13 - $22.64 per hour Application Question(s): Did you read the job description fully? Are you ok with being outside most of the day? Do you understand that this is a full time temporary position from 6am-2:30pm from March to mid-May? Work Location: In person