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Spray Technician 1

Category: Classified
Pay Grade: C15     
Job Code: 13560

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 skilled entry-level technical work involving chemical and other eradication methods for surveillance and abatement of mosquitoes and/or weed, aquatic weed, invasive plant, and pest control; applies chemicals, following approved techniques, to maintain effective control of mosquitoes, undesirable pests or vegetation and prevent damage to adjacent vegetation or harm to animal or marine life; performs normal maintenance associated with spraying activities, instructing or leading employees assigned to assist in overall spray or other departmental operations and may include routinely working on weekends and holidays. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (examples, not all inclusive)

• Monitors assigned areas for mosquito breeding sites or adult activity;
• Operates chemical spray equipment, utilizing proper abatement techniques;
• Performs chemical/mechanical control of aquatic weed/invasive plant in mitigation areas;
• Determines appropriate time and schedule for spraying based on growth season characteristics, condition of water, and/or soil to be treated, weather conditions, wind, and other variables;
• Selects and mixes appropriate chemical agents considering infestation, environment, and vegetation;
• Performs adult and larvae mosquito surveillance using visual observation, dipping, mosquito landing counts or CDC, and New Jersey light traps and is responsible for proper maintenance of this equipment;
• Operates spray equipment using proper application techniques and procedures;
• Operates and maintains equipment used in chemical treatment operations including trucks, boats, motors, and various types of spray apparatus;
• Performs basic grounds and irrigation-associated maintenance duties such as mowing, landscaping, ditch digging, and shrub removal;
• Clears fogging trains to allow truck access to sites;
• Nets and distributes mosquito-eating minnows for mosquito control;
• Assists in aerial spray operations, operates helicopter service truck, and loads helicopter with insecticide;
• Coordinates the activities of volunteer personnel as needed within the section or department;
• Maintains public relations and speaks to the public about mosquito control;
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

One (1) year of experience in weed and/or pest control spraying or abatement, industrial, or commercial chemical spraying; 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.
• Depending on job tasks, candidates may be required to possess as a condition of employment any combination of the following job-related qualifications: Florida Public Health Pest Control License or Florida Public or Commercial Restricted Use Pesticide Applicators license with certification in one or more of the following categories: Aquatic Weed Control, Right-of-Way Pest Control, Ornamental and Turf Pest Control, Natural Areas Weed Management, or Demonstration and Research.
• As a condition of employment, an Appointing Authority has the discretion to require the appointee to possess task related license(s) or qualifications directly related to the job as a prerequisite to appointment or may require appointee to acquire those qualifications or license(s) prior to the completion of the probation period or a period of time not to exceed one (1) year as determined appropriate.
• Candidate to demonstrate more advanced proficiency, competency, and satisfactory completion of regularly assigned work in an independent manner. Appointing Authority retains discretion to employ an incumbent at this level or advance the incumbent non-competitively or competitively after a candidate meets the minimum qualifications to an in-line career ladder position within the same organization or department.
• Other knowledge, skills, abilities, and credentials required for a specific position.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of procedures, techniques, and equipment used for mosquito and/or weed, aquatic weed, invasive plant, and pest control;
• Knowledge of aquatic weed biology and the ability to identify desirable and undesirable species;
• Knowledge of chemicals used in herbicide and pesticide applications;
• Knowledge of the biology of mosquitoes and other pests;
• Knowledge of common indigenous pests, aquatic plants, invasive plants, and undesirable weeds;
• Knowledge of general water and air pollution standards;
• Skill in the operation and maintenance of various types of spray equipment and apparatus;
• Ability to maintain and repair applicator/spray equipment and parts such as nozzles, pumps, meters, connections, tanks, and seals;
• Ability to meet and deal with the public in a courteous, confident, and tactful manner when investigating and replying to complaints and inquiries;
• Ability to recognize safety hazards and apply appropriate safety precautions during spray operations;
• Ability to do heavy manual labor for extended periods, occasionally in adverse weather conditions;
• Ability to use small office equipment and computers;
• Ability to use or repair small and medium equipment and machinery. 

PHYSICAL/MENTAL DEMANDS

This work requires exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 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.
• Crawling: Moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet.
• 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.