Performs technical and skilled work relating to pest management activities in aquatic weed, exotic vegetation, and mosquito control activities. Performs technical and skilled work conducting daily field surveillance, identification, assessment, and treatment of unwanted aquatic plants and pestiferous species in strict compliance with local, state, and federal guidelines and regulations. Requires some public contact, informing residence of treatment activities, aquatic and exotic vegetation weed growth reduction, mosquito breeding, health precautions and other department services. Participates in ground and aerial applications, inspections, assessments, and identifications. Work is performed under supervision of the Pest Management Operations Supervisor and performance is reviewed through discussions, observation, analysis of work product, systems reports, routine field inspections, and evaluation of results achieved.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Performs routine field inspections in County rights-of-ways, natural areas, stormwater canals, ponds, lakes, ditches, and private properties; determines the incidence of breeding; identifies mosquito species; and performs ongoing surveillance to prevent new breeding areas from developing or expanding. 
• Performs pest mitigation work in aquatic and upland areas throughout the County; identifies species; determines amount and type of pesticide to apply; applies pesticides utilizing mechanical and manual applicators; maintains related documentation; and performs other related work necessary to meet permit conditions or established criteria and law. 
• Performs mitigation work in aquatic and upland areas throughout Charlotte County, requiring plant identification, applications of herbicides, manual exotic plant control measures, planting and transplanting, and other related work necessary to meet permit conditions or established criteria and law. 
• Performs public education activities; answers questions and provides information to residents regarding treatment activities, mosquito breeding and reduction, health precautions, and other department services; and distributes literature. 
• Participates in application of pesticides by helicopter; drives and positions tanker truck; fuels and re-fuels helicopter; mixes and loads chemicals.
• Follows established safety procedures; utilizes safety equipment; wears protective gear; and monitors work environment to ensure safety of employees and other individuals. 
• Attends training courses to obtain required certification and endorsements. 
• Utilizes respiratory protection equipment and other Personal Protective Equipment as prescribed. 
• Operates County gasoline, diesel and electric equipment including airboats, boats, aquatic terrain vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, pick-up trucks, tankers, flatbed trucks, trailers, forklifts, pumps, sprayers, blowers, foggers, and pesticide application equipment necessary for the control of targeted species; and maintains equipment and vehicles. 
• Operates site maintenance equipment to include chainsaws, weed trimmers, lawn mowers, and other like equipment necessary to maintain access points. 
• Performs routine maintenance work on assigned equipment and other tasks necessary to achieve the goals and objectives of the Department. 
• Provides detailed and accurate written reports on all inspections, applications, inventory and related work activities. 
• Provides exceptional customer assistance, problem-solving, and/or complaints resolution by all forms of communication. 

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Six months of experience in pest management and control.
• Or an equivalent combination of relevant training, education and experience.

Licenses and/or Certificates:

• Must obtain within three (3) months of position assignment: 
  1. Florida Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) 
     1. Hazardous Materials and Tanker endorsements 
        1. Note: Hazardous Materials endorsement requires person to be 21 years of age.
  2. Public Health Applicator’s certification
  3. Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Core license with:
     • Right of Way category
     • Aquatic category. 
  4. Possession of First Aid/CPR/AED certification.

• Knowledge of departmental policies, plans, and procedures.
• Knowledge of modern office practices, plans, and procedures.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other job-related computer programs and software applications.
• Knowledge to perform daily field surveillance including the identification, assessment, and treatment of nuisance species in strict compliance with federal, State, and department guidelines and regulations. 
• Skill in the safe operation and simple maintenance of mechanical equipment and vehicles used in the application of pesticides necessary to control nuisance species, and the identification of mosquito and plant species. 
• Skill in effective communication, both orally and in writing.
• Skill in prioritizing and organizing work.
• Skill in the use of office equipment such as a computer, multi-line telephone system, scanner, fax machine, and copier.
• Ability to learn and comprehend the applicable federal, State, and department rules, regulations, and policies regarding pest management. 
• Ability to follow established State and department guidelines and follow specific oral and written instructions from supervisors. 
• Ability to assess the information and facts derived from field investigation and inspections necessary to control nuisance and pestiferous species. 
• Ability to prepare work activity reports. 
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle, commercial truck, aircraft truck/ trailer, forklift, law maintenance equipment, and chain saw. 
• Ability to work in sustained positions, around slippery and irregular surfaces and around moving objects. 
• Ability to walk long distances into woodland and marshland environments, carrying by hand the equipment and pesticides necessary to treat mosquitoes and aquatic vegetation. 
• Ability to be medically able to wear a respirator as determined by the OSHA Respiratory Medical Evaluation process. 
• Ability to pass an annual respirator fit test, and once fit tested must maintain a facial condition as that required to become a successfully fit tested while employed in this job. 
• Ability to wear, for extended periods of time, required safety equipment such as hard hat, rubber boots, rubber gloves, leather gloves, respirator, hearing protection, life vest, safety glasses/ face shield, snake chaps, orange safety vest, rubber apron, chemical resistant coveralls and vehicle seat belt in all environmental conditions. 
• Ability to make recommendations and to use resourcefulness and tact in solving new problems. 
• Ability to prepare effective correspondence on routine matters and to perform routine administrative functions without referral to Management. 
• Ability to ascertain priorities and meet deadlines and objectives. 
• Ability to provide internal/external guidance and customer assistance via all forms of communication.
• Ability to use computers for data entry, word processing, and/or accounting purposes.
• Ability to author reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, managers, service providers, other employees, and the general public.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Stooping, crouching, walking, pulling, grasping, hearing, seeing up close, seeing far away, kneeling, reaching, pushing, talking, standing, finger movement, repetitive motions, depth perception, climbing. Frequent lifting of up to 25 pounds; occasional lifting up to 50 lbs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is exposed to outdoor weather conditions or irate customers, extreme noise, odors, heights, and/or dust.

RISK/SAFETY CONDITIONS

The position requires some exposure to risk related to physical and/or mental health and safety (e.g., exposure to environmentally hazardous material, heavy equipment, assault and battery, communicable disease, etc.).

Charlotte County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.