Mosquito Control Specialist

Salary: $16.79 - $20.99 HourlyLocation : 220 W Defee St. Baytown, TXJob Type: Full TimeJob Number: 24-00123Department: HealthDivision: HealthOpening Date: 05/07/2024Closing Date: ContinuousJob SummaryJoin our team as a Mosquito Control Specialist and contribute to safeguarding public health. You'll utilize cutting-edge techniques to identify and eliminate mosquito breeding grounds, reducing the risk of vector-borne diseases. Help create safer, more enjoyable outdoor environments for communities by combating these pests effectively.Full Benefits Package Including:Paid holiday, vacation & sick leave to support your work/life balanceInsurance optionsFree employee clinic for medical coverage participantsTMRS retirement with 14% City contributionMental health and financial education benefitsAnd much moreResponsible for performing skilled operations of several types of equipment used to apply mosquito control pesticides from city streets, right of ways, ditches, storm drains, unimproved areas that hold water or are impacted by tidal water. The ability to operate and load equipment such as a truck, a trailer, an Argo (amphibious vehicle), a larvicide misting system, and use equipment such as ULV sprayers, backpack sprayers, agricultural spreader, as well as assorted hand tools is a must. Work involves responsibility for efficient use of such equipment. Duties include performance of manual labor associated with loading and unloading mosquito control pesticides and supplies. Spray the public streets, right of ways, and City parks of the City of Baytown for adult mosquito population control. Apply larvicide and survey areas to eliminate breeding sites such as ditches, storm drains, areas that hold rainwater that becomes stagnant, and brackish/salt marshes impacted by tidal flow. Document daily spray and larvicide activities as required by State requirements, which include chemical quantity used, area sprayed or treated, weather conditions, as well as mileage. Must be able to mix and load chemicals onto the spray trucks. Maintain a chemical storage room, garage, and spill kits. Inspect, identify, treat, and document mosquito breeding locations. Conduct neighborhood surveys for mosquito breeding sites. Identify, trap, and document the different species of mosquitoes. Perform daily and weekly general maintenance of the spray units and the mosquito control trucks. Service and maintain spray equipment as required by State requirements. Educate and inform citizens on the lifecycle of mosquitoes, diseases transmitted, and methods of source reduction. Respond to mosquito complaints. Work a flexible schedule during the mosquito control season and may be required to work overtime and work split shifts during the spray season.Duties Controls the mosquito population through application of pesticides and elimination of breeding sites by operating all mosquito control equipment such as truck mounted ULV sprayer and larvicide misting system, Argo (amphibious vehicle), agricultural spreader, handheld sprayers, backpack sprayers, and manual dispersion of pesticides as needed. Sprays storm drains to eliminate and control mosquito population.Performs daily and weekly general maintenance and calibration of the ULV (ultra-low volume) spraying units, the mosquito control truck, and cleaning of the chemical storage area and garage.Performs all transfers and mixing of chemicals and washing operations on the emptied barrels.Surveys for landing rates of adult mosquitoes and mosquito breeding sites. Takes action to document, treat or eliminate the breeding site.Educates and informs the public of the health threat mosquitoes may cause and how to reduce their populations.Identifies and maps known mosquito breeding sites and potential sites using GPS instrumentation.Assists with general Health Department duties during mosquito off-season.Performs all other related duties as assigned.Minimum QualificationsREQUIRED:High School Diploma or equivalent (GED).Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record (must obtain TX driver's license within 90 days). Six months of related experience.Certified State of Texas Pesticide Applicator; category: Vector Control within one year of employment.PREFERRED:Knowledge of chemical flow pumps and electric control systems.Previous experience with the safe handling of pesticides.Knowledge of the Baytown area. Knowledge, Skills and AbilitiesAbility to operate equipment such as truck mounted ULV sprayer and larvicide misting system, Argo (amphibious vehicle), agricultural spreader, handheld sprayers, and backpack sprayers. Ability to keep accurate application, maintenance, and fuel records. Mechanical aptitude; knowledge of the safe use of pesticides. Good public communication skills. Ability to get along appropriately with co-workers and the public.Attendance is an essential function of this position. The City reserves the right to require an employee in this position to work overtime. This position provides services or performs duties for the benefit of the general public during emergency situations. These may include services or duties different from those performed in the usual course and scope of your job. In the event of an evacuation, the incumbent in this position may be required to remain to perform needed services.How to Apply01 Do you possess a High School Diploma or equivalent (GED)? Yes No 02 Do you have a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record? (Must obtain TX driver's license within 90 days) Yes No 03 How many months/years of experience do you have in a related field? Less than 6 months 6 months - 1 year 1 year - 3 years 4 years - 6 years 6+ years 04 Are you a Certified State of Texas Pesticide Applicator; category: Vector Control? If not, this license must be obtained within one year. Yes, I am a Certified State of Texas Pesticide Applicator; category: Vector Control. No, but I can become a Certified State of Texas Pesticide Applicator; category: Vector Control within one year. No, I am unable to become a Certified State of Texas Pesticide Applicator; category: Vector Control. 05 Please describe your knowledge of chemical flow pumps and electric control systems. 06 Please describe your experience with safe handling of pesticides. 07 Do you have knowledge of the Baytown area? Yes No Required Question