Entomology Laboratory and Field Technician II

Kapili Services, LLC; Fort Collins (CO); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Kapili Services, LLC is seeking an Entomology Laboratory and Field Technician II to support a government customer in Fort Collins, CO. The role involves field surveillance, laboratory diagnostics, and data analysis to support arboviral disease vectors testing and reporting.

Applicants should have a public health/entomology background and experience following SOPs, with strong communication and teamwork skills. The position requires field work in varied conditions and some travel.

Qualifications

• Physical ability for field work and outdoor conditions.
• Ability to follow laboratory SOPs with high QA standards.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform field work, laboratory diagnostics, and surveillance testing for arboviral disease vectors.
• Provide operational laboratory support and assist with field collection of specimens.
• Collect mosquitoes, set traps, and assist in molecular assays after training.
• Travel domestically for field surveillance and related activities as required.

Skills

Field work

Laboratory SOPs

Written and verbal communication

MS Office

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Public Health or Entomology

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Bering-Alaka`ina Holdings (BAH) is looking for an Entomology Laboratory and Field Technician II to provide support for our government customer in Fort Collins, CO.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Perform the specialized field work, laboratory diagnostics, research support, and surveillance testing required to support the operations and mission of the Arboviral Diseases Branch (ADB), Division of Vector-Borne Diseases (DVBD).
• Provide support for technical entomological laboratory services.
• Provide technical support related to the detection and management of arboviral disease vectors through field surveillance, field and laboratory assays, and analysis of field data; responsible for preparing assignments as directed and meeting all deadlines. All assignments and deadlines shall be made by the ADB Entomology and Ecology Team Lead (or designee).
• Scientific support may require enrollment in an Occupational Health Program (OHP) to meet mandatory federal requirements associated with work involving select agent and/or animal use compliance. T
• Be responsible for all costs associated with obtaining the necessary OHP medical and animal compliance needs (e.g., medical examination, pulmonary examination, vaccines, etc.).
• Assignments include the following tasks related to the detection and management of arboviral disease vectors:
  • Conducts field surveillance to determine where and when arboviral vectors are present, describe the conditions and environments where the vectors thrive, and conduct field and laboratory assays to detect insecticide resistance in mosquito vectors.
  • Travels domestically and completes tasks involving vector surveillance in the field to determine when and where mosquito vectors are present and describe the conditions and environments where the mosquitoes thrive; conduct assays to determine insecticide susceptibility for the mosquitoes present in the area.
  • Generates and contributes data and analyses in diagnostic reporting systems, meetings, and conferences and potentially publications.
  • Provides operational laboratory support to the Ecology and Entomology Team Lead or designee.
• Provide support for technical laboratory and field work services
• Provide technical support related to the detection of arboviral diseases and the field collection of specimens.
• Assignments include the following tasks related to the detection of arboviral diseases and other infectious diseases:
  • Conduct field work.
  • Will be required to operate in field conditions that will include various weather conditions, uneven and difficult terrain, handling live mosquitoes, exposure to insecticides, the wearing of personal protective equipment, and associated hazards.
  • Will be required to perform field work required to collect mosquito specimens. This includes setting mosquito traps, collecting mosquito eggs and larvae.
• Conduct lab work associated with mosquitoes at assigned locations with the primary location being the CDC Labs at Fort Collins. The Lab work includes sorting and identifying mosquitoes; rearing mosquitoes; conducting CDC Insecticide Resistance Bottle Bioassays (after being trained); use of microscopes.
• Conduct microplate and molecular assays (after being trained). The government will provide the required training to perform these tasks.

• Travel for 2 weeks per trip, multiple times a year and is limited to non-conference travel in support of field surveillance, specimen collection, laboratory support, and other related field activities. Likely travel locations include domestic travel to Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Physical requirements include being capable of working long hours outdoors, being able to walk and stand for long hours, coping with difficult terrain, lifting up to 20 pounds, and carrying equipment in a field environment.
• A valid Colorado Driver's License is required.
• Must have four plus (4+) years of experience in a professional laboratory setting.
• Must have two to four (2-4) years specialized laboratory experience, to include experience working within an Entomology environment.
• Ability to follow and execute laboratory SOPs independently and with a high degree of quality assurance.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving skills along with outstanding organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Energetic team presence with an eagerness to learn and collaborate with other members of the team.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize competing demands in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong skills with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).

DESIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Public health laboratory experience.
• Experience with laboratory diagnostic assays.
• Experience with laboratory accreditation bodies and associated requirements.
• Experience with laboratory management/operational laboratory support and inventory management.
• Experience with DSAT compliance.
• Ability to communicate in writing and verbally that results in impactful publications and presentations.
• Ability to manage data and possess an in-depth knowledge or Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

REQUIRED EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Public Health, Entomology, Epidemiology, or other relevant discipline

CITIZENSHIP AND CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to pass a Tier 1 background investigation.

Bering-Alaka`ina Holdings (BAH) is a fast-growing government service provider. Employees enjoy competitive salaries. Eligible employees enjoy a 401K plan with company match; medical, dental, disability, and life insurance coverage; tuition reimbursement; paid time off; and 11 paid holidays.

We are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer of individuals with disabilities and veterans.

We are proud to state that we do not illegally discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of any protected categories.

If you are a person with a disability and you need an accommodation during the application process, please click here to request accommodation.

We E-Verify all employees.

"EOE, including Disability/Vets" OR "Equal Opportunity Employer, including Disability/Veterans"

Bering-Alaka`ina Holdings (BAH) is comprised of industry-recognized government service firms designated as Alaska Native Corporation (ACN)-owned and 8(a) certified businesses. BAH includes Ke`aki Technologies, LLC; Laulima Government Solutions, LLC; Kpono Government Services, LLC; Kapili Services, LLC; Po`okela Solutions, LLC; Kkaha Solutions, LLC; and Pololei Solutions, LLC.

For additional information, please visit www.beringalakaina.com.

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