Powered by JobAps

VECTOR ECOLOGIST

Recruitment #20-TC7-01

Introduction

Definition

THE JOB: Under direction, plans, organizes, coordinates and performs: biological and entomological evaluation, surveillance and identification, census and control of vertebrate vectors, invertebrate vectors & vector-borne diseases; serves as a technical and educational advisor to staff and the general public; and performs other work as required.

Employment Standards

THE REQUIREMENTS: Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying, unless otherwise specified. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in entomology, medical entomology, or a biological science in a closely related field with some course work in general or medical entomology, AND two years of full time experience working in a laboratory specializing in processing entomological samples and performing assays for vector-borne disease including immunological and molecular methods. A Master’s or PhD degree in entomology, medical entomology or epidemiology may be substituted for one year of professional lab experience.

Must obtain and maintain within one year of employment the three Vector Control Technician certifications as specified under Title 17, California Code of Regulations issued by the California Department of Health Services in the areas of: mosquito control, vertebrate vector control, and invertebrate vector control.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Extensive experience processing entomological samples and performing assays for vector-borne disease including immunological and molecular methods is highly desirable.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS/CONDITIONS: Physical Ability: Tasks require the ability to lift up to 40 pounds on a regular basis; mobility to reach and stoop, stand, bend and to walk on uneven terrain such as vegetated stream drainages or pond banks and wade in shallow ponds; ability to swim. Sensory Requirements: Requires the ability to recognize and identify similarities and differences between shade, degree or value of colors, shapes, sounds, forms, textures or physical appearance associated with job-related objects, materials, tasks or people; visual acuity or corrected visual acuity to use a microscope. Use chemical testing equipment and other scientific instruments. Environmental Factors: Exposure to variable temperatures; wetness, such as while walking through creeks, ponds and sloughs; non-ionizing radiation, such as sunburn; toxic conditions, such as spraying oil on water; odors, such as from marshes and ripe water; infections, such as tick-borne or mosquito-borne illnesses; vicious animals, poisonous plants and animals; irate or hostile individuals; inclement weather conditions; pesticides, insect bites, stings, poison oak and other toxic and hazardous substances, gases, and chemicals. Hours: May be required to work flexible hours, shifts, weekends and holidays, be subject to holdover and callback duty; travel within and out of the county; and to provide a telephone number or means by which employee can be reached. License Requirement: Possession and maintenance of valid Class C California Driver License issued by the California State Department of Motor Vehicles by the time of appointment, and maintenance of a good driving record.

Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of: Investigation procedures and methods used to isolate, identify, evaluate and classify pests such as mosquitoes, vertebrate vectors, and invertebrate vectors; principles and practices of integrated pest management, biological control, vector-borne disease biology and control, and vector prevention for water and land use development; aquatic ecology, entomology and taxonomy; fundamental medical and urban entomology; standard research methods and techniques of scientific investigation and bio-safety principles; pesticide chemistry, safety, toxicology, field applications and their environmental effects; record keeping, map reading, correct spelling, grammar, punctuation and principles of composition and report writing; appropriate safety practices and procedures. Working knowledge of laws, regulations, policies and procedures pertaining to pesticides; public health pest regulations and enforcement, government and regulatory structure; fundamental mathematics, algebra and biostatistics and Microsoft Windows-based PC system and MS Office software, mapping programs.

Ability to: Read, understand, interpret, evaluate and apply laws, policies, rules, regulations, contracts, guidelines, and literature of the profession; gather, analyze, interpret and present data effectively, and prepare clear and concise reports; assist staff in the proper implementation of vector surveillance methods; apply biological and ecological principles to survey and monitor vector populations; use pesticides according to label specifications and established standards; use microscope, chemical testing equipment and other scientific instruments; plan and conduct surveys; interpret program objectives and work independently and within a team structure; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with individuals and groups; speak effectively in front of groups and diverse audiences; establish and maintain good working relationships with those contacted in the course of business; demonstrate good organizational skills; perform assigned tasks according to prescribed procedures; meet timelines and handle multiple and changing priorities, projects, and schedules; understand and carry out oral and written instructions and work in a safe and prudent manner.

Benefits

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:
ANNUAL LEAVE - 22 days first year, increasing to 37 days after 15 years of service. Available for vacation and/or sick leave.
HOLIDAYS - 13 paid holidays per year.
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE - 3 days paid in California, 5 days paid out-of-state.
MEDICAL PLAN - The County contracts with CalPERS for a variety of medical plans. For most plans, County contributions pay a majority of the premiums for employees and eligible dependents.
DENTAL PLAN - County pays for employee and eligible dependent coverage.
VISION PLAN - County pays for employee coverage. Employee may purchase eligible dependent coverage.
RETIREMENT - Pension formula 2% at age 60 or 2% at age 62 as determined based on provisions of the CA Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013(PEPRA). Pension benefit determined by final average compensation of three years. County participates in Social Security.
LIFE INSURANCE - County paid $20,000 term policy. Employee may purchase additional life insurance.
DISABILITY INSURANCE - Employees in the General Representation Unit participate in the State Disability Insurance (SDI) program. This program is funded 100% by employee payroll deductions.
DEPENDENT-CARE PLAN - Employees who make contributions for child or dependent care may elect to have their contributions made utilizing “pre-tax dollars.”
H-CARE PLAN - Employees who pay a County medical premium may elect this pre-tax program.
HEALTH CARE FLEXIBLE SPENDING ALLOWANCE (HCFSA) - Employees may elect this pre-tax program to cover qualifying health care expenses.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION - A deferred compensation plan is available to employees

Selection Plan

THE EXAMINATION: Your application and supplemental questionnaire will be reviewed to determine if you have met the education, experience, training and/or licensing requirements as stated on the job announcement. If you meet these criteria and are one of the best qualified, you may be required to compete in any combination of written, oral and/or performance examinations or a competitive evaluation of training and experience as described on your application and supplemental questionnaire. You must pass all components of the examination to be placed on the eligible list. The examination may be eliminated if there are ten or fewer qualified applicants. If the eligible list is established without the administration of the announced examination, the life of the eligible list will be six months and your overall score will be based upon an evaluation of your application and supplemental questionnaire. If during those six months it is necessary to administer another examination for this job class, you will be invited to take the examination to remain on the eligible list.

HOW TO APPLY: Apply Online Now!  Click on the link below; or print out an application and supplemental questionnaire and mail/bring them to: Santa Cruz County Personnel Department, 701 Ocean Street, Room 510, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060.  For information, call (831) 454-2600.  Hearing Impaired TDD/TTY: 711.  Applications will meet the final filing date if received in one of the following ways:  1) in the Personnel Department by 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date, 2) submitted online before midnight of the final filing date. 

Women, minorities and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. If you have a disability that requires test accommodation, please call (831) 454-2600.

To comply with the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, Santa Cruz County verifies that all new employees are either U.S. citizens or persons authorized to work in the U.S.

Some positions may require Fingerprinting and/or Background Investigation.

Note: Provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

County of Santa Cruz

www.santacruzcountyjobs.com

LIVE Here WORK Here PLAY Here