VECTOR CONTROL SPECIALIST

THE JOB: Under direction, perform inspections and vector control operations in the County of Santa Cruz. The ideal candidate likes working outdoors and is skilled and friendly when communicating with the public. It is important that Vector Control Specialists build relationships within the community by forming contacts with other agencies or local stakeholders.

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

Equivalent to an Associate's Degree with a major in biology or a closely related field,

OR

Two years of full-time experience in mosquito abatement or vector control work.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: License/Certificate Requirements: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License at time of hire; fulfill necessary requirements set forth in Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations to function as a California State Certified Technician qualified in Mosquito Control (obtain all 4 parts of the CDPH Vector Control Certification Program A, B, C, D) during probationary period. Special Working Conditions: Exposure to wetness, such as while walking through creeks, ponds and sloughs to conduct mosquito surveillance; non ionizing radiation, such as sunburn while working in the field; toxic conditions, such as while spraying oil on water to kill mosquitoes; odors, such as from marshes and ripe water; infections, such as tick-borne Lyme disease or mosquito-borne encephalitis; vicious animals, poisonous plants and animals; irate or hostile individuals; inclement weather conditions; hazardous gases and chemicals; and subject to emergency call on a 24-hour basis. Note: This classification has a 12-month probationary period.

Knowledge: Working knowledge of biological and ecological relationships; some knowledge of record keeping, GIS (map reading), and maintenance of gas motors and small electrical and mechanical equipment.

Ability to: Work independently and responsibly; organize and conduct assigned mosquito control field operations; make accurate observations and keep detailed records; work cooperatively and effectively with others; evaluate situations accurately and adopt effective course of action; maintain and practice safety precautions; put on, wear and use a respirator and other personal protective equipment to avoid exposure to pesticides and to stinging and biting arthropods; communicate effectively orally and in writing; follow oral and written instructions; input and access information using computer applications; make presentations to community groups; bend, squat, climb and twist while traversing uneven ground such as dirt banks, streambeds and pond shallows in the course of collecting mosquitoes or ticks, while climbing onto a rock in a creek bed, or while setting traps in trees; lift and carry up to 50 pounds such as a backpack motorized sprayer filled with sand granules and wade with equipment for a few hundred feet into three (3) foot deep water; operate a chainsaw, outboard motor and similar mechanical equipment.

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

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: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

County of Santa Cruz

www.santacruzcountyjobs.com

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