Entomologist
Category: Classified
Pay Grade: C24
Job Code: 16424
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.
JOB SUMMARY
This is a specialized technical and supervisory work involving arbovirus surveillance, mosquito population surveillance, assessing mosquito trap collections, overseeing the adult mosquito suppression operation, mosquito identification, coordinating and implementing entomological research, raising larva and pinning adults specimens, insecticide testing, training staff, oversee our public outreach program, data collection and record keeping. Work requires independent judgment and initiative in carrying out assignments with limited supervision. Works directly under an administrative supervisor to execute field and laboratory tasks.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (examples, not all inclusive)
- Oversees the County’s sentinel chicken program; obtains routine blood samples from sentinel chicken flocks and records field information for laboratory processing;
- Oversees the placement of various types of traps and assesses mosquito trap catches in the field for immediate integration into the adult mosquito suppression operation;
- Establishes surveillance indicators and maintains surveillance data;
- Identifies, records, and maintains mosquito specimen collections for review and training purposes; Identify all mosquitoes that are collected in the County and train staff on how to identify the common types;
- Conducts field and laboratory efficacy tests and tests other mosquito control methods as necessary;
- Performs droplet analysis on all ultralow volume equipment;
- Conducts in-house training on mosquito biology for field personnel;
- Trains and supervises subordinate spray tech position and temporary workers as needed;
- Provides guidance and assistance to mosquito fogging and trapping crews regarding placement of insect traps and use of chemicals;
- Coordinates, supervises, and conducts calibration and characterization of helicopters with the different granular insecticides used to kill mosquito larva;
- Responds to requests for information from the media on mosquito and related disease control and presents programs to the public, civic, and homeowner associations, schools, and private pesticide applicators;
- Ensures proper operation, maintenance, and replacement of designated equipment;
- Enters and maintains all related records;
- Performs outreach and public speaking on mosquito identification and habits to students;
- Prepares laboratory budget, requisitions, travel accommodations for staff, and personnel reviews;
- Performs other related job duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:
Four (4) years of technical medical, biological science, or mosquito control experience; or two (2) years of vocational or college coursework in a scientific field and two (2) years of technical medical, biological science, or mosquito control experience; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience.
Special Qualifications (May be required depending on area of assignment):
- Florida Driver’s License or Florida Commercial Driver’s License and endorsement, if any.
- Assignment to work a variety of work schedules including compulsory work periods in special, emergency, and/or disaster situations.
- Public Health Pest Control Certificate prior to the completion of the normal probationary period.
- Possession and maintenance of Public Health Pest Control, Aquatic Weed Control, and Right-of-Way Control Certificates prior to the completion of the first year of employment.
- Possession and maintenance of Certified Mosquito Identifier certificate through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services/Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory within one year of hire.
- Other knowledge, skills, abilities, and credentials required for a specific position.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Knowledge of mosquito bionomics and morphology;
- Knowledge of scientific method and general laboratory techniques;
- Knowledge of the proper use of microscopes and other assigned equipment;
- Knowledge of data recording and graphing;
- Knowledge of media presentation and format.
- Ability to draw blood with a hypodermic needle and handle chickens in a calm and soothing manner;
- Ability to assign and supervise the work of subordinates and establish and maintain effective working relationships;
- Ability to express oneself clearly and concisely, orally and in writing;
- Ability to read a map and maintain assigned trapping and collection equipment;
- Ability to meet and deal with the public in a courteous, confident, and tactful manner;
- Ability to use small office equipment, computers, and highly technical computer applications;
- Ability to use or repair small and medium equipment and machinery.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL DEMANDS
The work is medium work which requires exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required:
- Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing or crouching on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces. The amount of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.
- Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. Body agility is emphasized.
- Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
- Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.
- Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling.
- Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
- Handling: Picking, holding, or otherwise working, primarily with the whole hand.
- Kneeling: Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.
- Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.
- Mental acuity: Ability to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes.
- Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.
- Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward, or outward.
- Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
- Visual ability: Sufficient to effectively operate office equipment including copier, computer, etc.; and to read and write reports, correspondence, instructions, etc.
- Hearing ability: Sufficient to hold a conversation with other individuals both in person and over a telephone; and to hear recording on transcription device.
- Speaking ability: Sufficient to communicate effectively with other individuals in person and over a telephone.
- Mental acuity: Ability to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes.
- Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
- Repetitive motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers.
- Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time.
- Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires full motion of the lower extremities and back muscles.
- Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is performed in an environment where decisions could lead to major community or organizational consequences if the appropriate decision is not made at the time.