The Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control
District is now accepting applications for the position of Vector Ecologist.
Under direction of the General Manager and supervision of the Scientific
Operations Manager or designee, the Vector Ecologist plans and provides
professional vector related services and technical advice to field supervisors,
operational personnel, and the public in relation to mosquito, eye gnat,
rodent, and other vector control programs of the District. Opportunities for advanced research and
publication is available. The Vector
Ecologist will supervise laboratory personnel and technical staff, as
needed.
DUTIES
AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The duties and responsibilities include, but are
not limited to the following:
1.
Plans
and conducts fundamental and applied studies and surveys of vectors including
mosquitoes, rodents flies, and eye gnats including their sources, biology, and
population ecology.
2.
Conducts
disease surveillance program for the District.
3.
Collaborates
with UC Research in enhancing and implementing the District’s vector-borne
disease surveillance and control program.
4.
Establishes
and maintains a system of vector population measurement.
5.
Supervises
collection, identification, and record keeping of vector populations.
6.
Prepares
analyses, reports, and recommendations associated with the scientific-technical
programs.
7.
Plans,
coordinates, and supervises field and laboratory tests to determine the
efficiency of biological control agents and pesticides.
8.
Cooperates
with State Health Department personnel to resolve vector control related
operational and scientific issues.
9.
Keeps
informed of current developments in entomology, vector surveillance and
control.
10.
Presents
papers at professional meetings.
Conducts classroom training for students and the general public.
11.
Provides
consultations to the public and institutions pertaining to vector surveillance
and control activities.
12.
Participates
in the training of personnel for State certification examinations.
13.
Attends
Board of Trustee meetings as required.
14.
Performs
other duties as may be required by the General Manager.
¨ Thorough knowledge of
biology and ecology of vectors and rodent pests.
¨ Wide knowledge of
pesticides, their application, effects, and the hazards to animal and plant
life.
¨ Knowledge of biological,
chemical and physical sciences.
¨ Knowledge of research
techniques and investigative methods.
¨ Ability to plan and
conduct vector and vector-borne disease surveys and studies independently, and
develop and maintain record keeping systems.
¨ Ability to apply
scientific principles to practical situations.
¨ Ability to speak and
write effectively.
¨ Ability to supervise
assigned personnel in the District.
¨ Ability to work
cohesively and effectively with other personnel and the general public.
¨ Masters degree in
entomology, biological science, or closely related field.
¨ A minimum of two (2)
years in mosquito/vector control or related fields.
¨ Sufficient computer
knowledge to work with word processors, databases, spreadsheets, and
geographical information systems (GIS).
¨ Possession of a valid
California Drivers license and driving record acceptable to CVMVCD insurance
carrier.
¨ Possession of, or
ability to obtain within one (1) year of employment, appropriate certificate of
compliance issued by the State of California, Department of Health Services in
the areas of mosquito control, vertebrate control and terrestrial invertebrate
control.
¨ Successful completion of
pre-employment physical examination.
Other relevant knowledge and abilities may be
considered in-lieu of, or in addition to, the foregoing.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
¨
Ability
to demonstrate measurable visual depth perception and color vision; have a
minimum of single ear aided hearing.
¨
Ability
to mix, load, and apply pesticides in containers weighing up to 40 lbs.
according to label specifications and established standards.
¨
Ability
to demonstrate physical stamina to periodically* operate a motor vehicle; show
coordination of eye/hand/foot.
¨
Ability
to periodically* walk on even surfaces; stand for extended periods of time; sit
for extended periods of time.
¨
Ability
to wear protective equipment such as hip waders, bee suits and rubber boots, as
needed.
¨
Ability
to work alone at times and/or without direct supervision.
¨
Ability
to tolerate insect bites and bee stings.
¨
May
be required to be vaccinated for various diseases to which employee may be
exposed in the course of work.
¨
Ability
to periodically* traverse uneven ground such as fields, dirt banks, stream
beds, and shallow ponds carrying equipment and materials up to 50 lbs.; operate
specialized equipment such as boats, all-terrain vehicles, hovercraft, and
other mechanized equipment; use fine and gross manipulation by hand; carry
items.
¨
Ability
to periodically* perform repetitive motion associated with computer usage;
climb a ladder and operate spray equipment; bend; twist; crawl; balance; lift;
push; perform simple grasping; power grip; squat/crouch; kneel; reach; climb;
pull; smell.
* Periodically – Activity or condition exists up to 25
percent of the time.
Occasionally – Activity
or condition exists from 25 to 50 percent of the time.
Regularly – Activity or
condition exists from 50 to 75 percent of the time.
Frequently – Activity or
condition exists 75 percent or more of the time.
¨ Approximately half of
the work is performed in extremely high temperatures. Extreme dryness is present most of the time
although some weather conditions or locations include humid conditions. The employee will be exposed to hazards which
include insect bites, chemicals, fumes, dust, hazardous control materials,
venomous insects, vectors and vector-borne diseases, rough terrain, inclement
weather conditions, vicious animals, poisonous plants and animals.
Compensation Range: Approximately $5,615 to $7,167 per month plus
generous benefit package including CalPERS (currently the 7%
employee contribution is paid by District), health insurance, life insurance,
disability insurance, and deferred compensation, two weeks vacation, floating
holiday, plus 12˝ paid holidays annually.
Interested parties who meet the qualifications
must submit a District application.
Resumes alone will not be accepted, but may be included with the
application. To obtain an application,
please contact the Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District office
at
OPEN
UNTIL FILLED
YOU