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Entomology Assistant

Category:                    Classified

Pay Grade:                  C18      

Job Code:                    16418

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

Performs specialized technical work assisting with arbovirus surveillance, mosquito population surveillance, mosquito identification, insecticide testing, and data/record keeping; works directly under an administrative supervisor to execute field and laboratory tasks.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (examples, not all inclusive)

• Obtains routine blood samples from sentinel chicken flocks and records field information for laboratory processing;
• Assists in the placement of various types of traps and assesses mosquito trap catches in the field for immediate integration into the adult mosquito suppression operation;
• Identifies, records, and maintains mosquito specimen collections for review and training purposes;
• Performs droplet analysis and characterization on various adulticiding equipment;
• Conducts field and laboratory efficacy tests and tests other mosquito control methods as necessary;
• Ensures proper operation, maintenance, and replacement of designated equipment;
• Assists Entomology Technician and graduate students in all areas as needed;
• Enters and maintains all related records; 
• Keeps the laboratory sanitized, orderly, and stocked with proper equipment and supplies; 
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

Two (2) years of mosquito or weed control experience; or one (1) year of vocational or college coursework in a scientific field and (1) year of mosquito or weed 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.
• 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 physiology;
• 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 express oneself clearly and concisely, orally and in writing;
• Ability to read a map and maintain assigned trapping and collection equipment;
• Ability to work in swampy, insect, and reptilian infested locations;
• Ability to respond to emergency situations, including weekends and nights;
• Ability to use small office 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.
• 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 a dynamic environment that requires sensitivity to change and responsiveness to changing goals, priorities, and needs.