Maintenance Specialist/Vector Control Technician

NAPA COUNTY MOSQUITO ABATEMENT DISTRICT

MAINTENANCE SPECIALIST/VECTOR CONTROL TECHNICIAN

Definition of Position

The Maintenance Specialist/Vector Control Technician is an active member of the District’s staff who, under the direction of the District Manager, maintains District equipment and facilities, assists in planning, organizing and evaluating the District’s facilities and equipment maintenance program, and also performs field operational work activities. Consistent with the District’s mission statement and policies, the incumbent in this position will be responsible for: 1) the maintenance and repair of District equipment and facilities; 2) research and purchasing of equipment and maintenance supplies; 3) coordinating with the District’s Safety Officer on safe and proper use and basic maintenance procedures of District equipment and facilities; 4) serving as a technical and educational advisor to District staff and the general public; and 5) completes service requests and, the detection and abatement of vectors. This position requires approximately 30% of work time to be spent in the field helping manage potential vector sources and answering public requests for service.

Position Characteristics

This position requires the incumbent have a thorough knowledge, understanding, and ability to design, modify and/or repair small engines, ATVs, other vector control equipment, and vehicles. The ability to understand and effectively implement OSHA regulations and other regulatory requirements with respect to facilities maintenance as well as equipment use, calibration, maintenance, and safety practices is also essential. The Maintenance Specialist/Vector Control Technician is also required to participate in the District’s year-round inspection and control of vector producing sources which includes the safe and efficient use of pesticides, spray equipment, motor vehicles and other equipment necessary for the completion of vector control work. Additional requirements include strict adherence to the methods and techniques established by District policies and full compliance with local, County, State and Federal regulations. This position requires considerable independent judgment. Knowledge of current regulations and legislation is essential, as well as availability of new materials, equipment, technology, and methodologies used in integrated vector control work.

Qualifications

Possesses and demonstrates a thorough knowledge and ability to perform the maintenance and servicing of equipment, fleet, and District facilities, and to operate vehicles and other motorized equipment;

• Possesses and demonstrates a thorough knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, and proper safety procedures;
• Readily demonstrates the ability to keep timely, detailed and accurate records on daily activities, vector sources, equipment and pesticide usage, and facilities and equipment maintenance;
• Routinely demonstrates the ability to work alone and in a team on activities in an assigned area and to solve or contribute to the solutions of District problems as they develop;
• Possesses and demonstrates a thorough knowledge and understanding of the mechanics, general principles and techniques of mosquito and vector/nuisance control, including the application of source reduction techniques;
• Possesses and demonstrates a thorough knowledge of the identification and biology of vectors and endangered/special status species, and their habitats;
• Readily demonstrates the ability and willingness to handle and use pesticides and spray equipment safely;
• Possesses and routinely demonstrates the ability to collaborate effectively and share in District decision making;
• Readily demonstrates the ability to work harmoniously to create an atmosphere of collaboration, trust and respect with other District personnel, personnel from other agencies and the public;
• Ability and desire to continue to learn and develop personal, organizational and technical skills;
• Demonstrates a knowledge of the use and operation of computers, Microsoft Windows – based PC systems, MS Office Professional Suite, and Adobe Creative Suite;
• Demonstrates proficiency with mathematics up to and including algebra and basic statistics;
• Demonstrates proficiency with composition and report writing;
• Possession of a valid California Driver’s License: and
• Possession of valid California Mosquito, Invertebrate, and Vertebrate Vector Control Technician Certificates from the California Department of Health Services.

Duties

· At the direction of District management, maintains and repairs and/or supervises maintenance and repair of District facilities;

· Maintains District equipment in good operating order implementing any repairs and needed modifications/redesigns allowing for safe, effective operation;

· Fabricates specialized and custom pesticide application equipment, parts, and components; fabricates, develops, improves, and modifies equipment to fit the needs of the District including but not limited to truck beds, sprayers, mosquito traps, and surveillance equipment;

· Keeps detailed records of equipment and fleet maintenance including but not limited to service schedules, type of repair/maintenance work completed, and parts used;

· Assists District General Manager with research and purchase of equipment;

· Works with and assists District Safety Officer on safe facility and equipment use practices and procedures;

· Keeps current on laws and regulations (e.g., OSHA, pesticides, water quality, environmental), reads resource and regulatory agency manuals, and keeps Manager informed of progress and problems;

· Responsible for timely equipment calibration and maintaining calibration records;

· Safely and effectively operates shop equipment, trucks, boats, ATVs, forklift, scissor lift, and manual and power spray equipment;

· Utilizes a wide variety of specialized hand tools and equipment such as but not limited to wrenches, hammers, air tools, cutters, welders, grinders, hand lenses, sample bottles, dippers, sweep nets, traps (e.g., CDC, Fay, New Jersey, Yellowjacket, Rodent, Aquatic, Fish, and Oviposition), seine nets, radios, thermometers, microscopes, and drafting equipment;

· Effectively uses information technology equipment such as but not limited to GPS units, computers, printers, copy and fax machines, drafting equipment, handheld diagnostic tools and vehicle code readers, and phones;

· Attends training sessions and maintains certifications;

· Conducts thorough, year-round surveillance, inspection, and control programs for mosquitoes, yellow-jackets, rodents, ticks, and other vector/nuisance organisms and maintains an awareness of breeding patterns and practices that are significant to the timing of operations.

· Keeps accurate, timely, and complete detailed records of vector activity, vector management activities, habitat conditions, and other pertinent information (e.g. access points, property owners/managers contact information, special site restrictions, etc.);

· Collects larval and adult mosquito and mosquito-like gnat samples in the field for laboratory identification. Keeps detailed notes on species and developmental stages;

· Collects adult yellowjackets, bees, wasps and various stages of ticks and other invertebrate pest and/or vector organisms in the field for laboratory identification. Keeps detailed records on species found;

· Applies pesticides and herbicides as needed, selecting appropriate material dosage rates and equipment to obtain optimum coverage and results;

· Performs nighttime and/or early morning vector control activities including but not limited to surveillance, WALS larviciding, and ULV adulticiding;

· May initiate requests and complete paperwork for aerial application of pesticides;

· Works with local citizens to educate and advise them about mosquito, mosquito-like gnat, vector, and nuisance problems, requests cooperation and assistance, and discusses the need for control and/or source reduction in an ecologically sound manner;

· Maintains detailed records on various factors that can promote or reduce vector activity, such as terrain, winds, weather patterns, predators and parasites, and plant life variety and growth density;

· Re-inspects areas treated for vectors to evaluate efficacy of treatment. Keeps detailed and accurate daily records of work done and materials and equipment used;

· Prepares and revises operational maps and biological records of potential mosquito-like gnat, yellowjacket and other vector/nuisance organisms breeding areas within the District, including properties, ponds, topographic features, and other characteristics relevant to vector control operations;

· Performs general labor, and simple equipment operations in such source reduction activities as brushing and clearing; cutting ditches for drainage and culvert and tide gate repairs; stocking mosquito fish and/or other biological control agents as required in vector producing habitat;

· Performs other tasks or functions not stated in this description, but within the scope of position,

experience, and capability; and

· Performs related work as required.

Minimum Employment Standards

Education and Experience:

· High school diploma or equivalent. Graduation from a college or university with a major in automotive technology, biological science, environmental science, or related field desirable; and

· Must obtain and maintain certification from the California Department of Health Services in Mosquito, Invertebrate, and Vertebrate Vector Control; and

· A minimum of three years verifiable full-time employment experience as an automotive and small engine mechanic, ASE certification preferred. Successful completion of an automotive technology program from an accredited automotive and small engine repair school (e.g. Wyotech, Universal Technical Institute, New England Institute of Technology, college, etc.) and ASE certification in Engine Repair, Brakes, and Electrical/Electronic systems may be substituted for 2 years full-time work experience; and

· Fabrication and certified welding skills are desirable; and

· Possession of a valid California Driver license.

Essential Functional/Duty Requirements

· Must be able to frequently demonstrate measurable depth perception;

· Must have measurable 20/20 vision (with correction) and color perception;

· Must be able at all times to safely operate District boat, forklift, scissor lift, and vehicles (e.g. ATV’s and trucks);

· Ability to regularly manipulate small items and tools;

· Ability to regularly stand for extended periods of time (e.g. more than 1 hour per time);

· Ability to frequently bend at the elbows, knees, and waist;

· Ability to regularly bend and stay bent at the waist for extended periods of time (e.g. more than ½ hour per time);

· Ability to regularly twist body and neck;

· Ability to regularly walk unaided distances of up to 1 mile;

· Ability to occasionally walk unaided distances over 1 mile;

· Ability to occasionally reach overhead;

· Ability to periodically lie in a prone position;

· Ability to frequently traverse uneven hard or soft, wet or dry ground such as fields, dirt banks, stream banks, shallow ponds, marshes, creeks and rocky or gravelly areas;

· Ability to occasionally perform repetitive motion associated with computer devices, mechanical equipment and small tools;

· Ability to occasionally assist in the lifting, pulling and pushing of objects weighing in excess of 60 pounds;

· Ability to regularly lift, pull and push objects unassisted weighing up to 60 pounds;

· Ability to occasionally climb and descend stairs, ladders, fences, hillsides, and embankments;

· Ability to frequently climb into and out of vehicles, boats, and ATVs;

· Ability to occasionally crawl on the ground or through or under objects (e.g., wire fences);

· Ability to frequently perform heavy physical labor (e.g. digging out equipment with a shovel, clearing brush with a brush trimmer/chainsaw, traversing wetlands with 4-gallon backpack sprayer, granule spreader/blower, or 25 lb. sack of granules, etc.);

· Must be willing and able to frequently work outdoors in all types of landscapes and under all types of weather conditions;

· Must have good verbal and written English communication skills;

· Must be able to always communicate with the public in a tactful, courteous and professional manner;

· Must have a minimum of good single-ear aided hearing;

· Must be able and willing to work effectively with a high degree of independence;

· Must always work cooperatively with private landowners and with individuals from other agencies; and

· Must be able to frequently receive, understand and follow oral and written direction from others;

· Must be able to frequently perform physical labor while wearing an N-95 respirator/dust mask; and

· Must be able to occasionally wear a half face respirator when required.

License

Must have a valid California Driver License with a good driving record and be insurable with the Vector Control Joint Powers Agency, using the accepted guidelines of the insurance provider.

Certification

Must obtain and maintain valid Mosquito, Invertebrate and Vertebrate Control Technician Certificates from the California Department of Health Services and maintain a valid certification with approved continuing education courses and required units.

Working Conditions

Approximately 40% of the work, consisting of both vector control and maintenance, is performed in an outdoor setting. The Maintenance Specialist/Vector Control Technician may also be exposed to: pesticides, solvents, toxic chemicals and cleaning agents, odors, communicable diseases, poison oak and other noxious plants, pollen, dusts, polluted or contaminated areas, stinging and biting organisms (e.g., dogs, snakes, spiders, wasps, ticks, mosquitoes, etc.) and other health hazards; inclement weather conditions (e.g. excessive heat, cold, wind, humidity, rain, ice, etc.); noise; and verbally abusive behaviour from hostile individuals.

Periodically = Activity or condition that exists up to 25 percent of the time.

Occasionally = Activity or condition that exists up to 25 to 50 percent of the time.

Regularly = Activity or condition that exists up to 50 to 75 percent of the time.

Frequently = Activity or condition that exists up to 75 percent or more of the time.

This job description does not imply any written or verbal contract and is for management communication purposes only. The District reserves the right to change this job and its related responsibilities as business needs require..

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $7,789.00 - $9,467.00 per month

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Do you have any college courses in health, science or automotive field?

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Experience:

• Mechanic: 2 years (Preferred)
• Automotive repair: 1 year (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• ASE Certification (Preferred)

Shift availability:

• Overnight Shift (Required)
• Day Shift (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $7,789 - $9,467