Mosquito Control Spray Technician

Performs chemical spraying of mosquitoes and larva in order to control the mosquito population.

• Investigates complaints of problem mosquito areas.
• Assists in training of new spray truck operators (seasonal hires).
• Locates and cleans dumpsites and maintains notes and records concerning work performed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Utilizes palm pilots, hand held computers, or other equipment to maintain data regarding larviciding sites.
• Cleans and maintains sprayer and ensures proper maintenance.
• Inspects reef material for the county artificial reef program.
• Operates trucks and truck mounted sprayer; considers all environmental issues of area prior to applying pesticide (i.e., run-offs, ponds, lakes).
• Locates and identifies larvae and adult mosquitoes and calculates application rates; applies restricted chemicals after determining the treatment required for each individual breeding site.
• Operates various portable and hand-held sprayers.
• Inspects trucks, tools and equipment prior to, during and after use for safe and proper operating condition.
• Assists in trapping and identifying mosquitoes and larvae for the purpose of determining targeted areas for chemical spraying.

Education, Training, and Experience: High school diploma or GED supplemented by one (1) year of experience with pesticides, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Experience in the operation of light equipment preferred. Computer experience preferred.

Licenses and/or Certifications: Requires a valid driver license. Requires Public Health Pest Control certification within one (1) year of hire.

Physical Requirements:Must be able to operate trucks, mounted chemical sprayers, a variety of hand-held and electrical equipment and tools including ground maintenance equipment. Must be able to exert 50 to 100 pounds of force occasionally, or 25 to 50 pounds of force frequently, or 10 to 20 pounds of force constantly in order to lift, carry, push and pull or otherwise move objects. Requires the ability to traverse, irregular, uneven, and/or erratically moving surfaces. Must be able to bend body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist, requiring full use of the lower extremities and back muscles. Must be able to bend legs at knees to come to rest on knee(s). Must be able to move about on hands and knees or hands and feet. Must be able to reach, extending hand(s) in any direction. Requires the ability to work for sustained periods of exposure to outside atmospheric conditions. Physical demands are in excess of sedentary work.

Language Ability: Requires the ability to communicate effectively in English, including the ability to convey, record and exchange information; requires the ability to explain procedures and to give, receive and follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to read a variety of technical data, policy and procedure manuals, codes, professional journals. Requires the ability to prepare forms and reports using prescribed formats, and adhering to all rules of grammar, spelling, diction and punctuation. Requires the ability to communicate with a broad array of individuals from various professional backgrounds.

Intelligence: Requires the ability to apply principles of common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions; to deal with problems involving concrete variables in situations where limited standardized exists; to make independent judgments in the absence of supervisor; to acquire knowledge of topics related to primary occupation.

Numerical Aptitude: Must be able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide; determine weight; may require the ability to calculate decimals and percentages.

Interpersonal Temperament: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under moderate levels of stress, imposed by frequent deadlines, peak workloads, or public contact. Requires the ability to exercise consistent tact and courtesy when in frequent contact with various professionals, county staff, and the general public.