Mosquito Control Spray Technician

City of Portsmouth; Portsmouth (VA); On-site; USD 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Portsmouth is seeking a Mosquito Control Worker to perform routine skilled work in mosquito control and abatement under general supervision. You will inspect sites for breeding habitats, identify issues, and apply pesticides while assisting with material calculations and equipment handling.

Responsibilities include operating vehicles and tools for inspection and pesticide application, maintaining storm water infrastructure, and documenting activities in reports and logs, with

Responsibilities

• Inspects potential mosquito breeding habitats and properties; diagnoses problems; selects and applies pesticides and equipment; calculates materials for chemical applications and mixes pesticides.
• Operates equipment for inspecting breeding sites and applying pesticides; maintains storm water infrastructure and related vehicles and tools.
• Performs routine checks and preventive maintenance on equipment; reports malfunctions and suggests new equipment.
• Prepares forms/reports documenting work; responds to pesticide usage inquiries and maintains storm water records; performs other duties as assigned.
• Assigns tasks based on workload and department needs; complies with safety and regulatory standards.

Job description

Under general supervision, this position performs routine skilled work for mosquito control and abatement. Reports to Mosquito Control Crew Leader.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Receives requests and maintenance schedules for mosquito control work; inspects potential mosquito breeding habitats and properties; diagnoses insects, weeds and disease problems; selects and applies proper pesticides and equipment; and calculates amount of required materials for chemical applications, and mixes and loads pesticides.

Operates equipment in the inspection of breeding sites and properties, application of pesticides, and maintenance of storm water system, such as pickup trucks, dump trucks, fork truck, backhoe, tractors, ridding machine, boats, all terrain vehicles, various sprayers, GPS; and hand tools such as shovels, pitchforks, swing blades, brush hooks and wheelbarrows.

Performs routine checks and preventive maintenance on equipment; identifies and reports equipment malfunctions; cleans equipment as needed, and recommends purchase of new and/or additional equipment.

Prepares a variety of forms and reports to document work performed; responds to pesticide usage and inspection inquiries; and reports and or maintains the upkeep for any storm water infrastructure. Performs other duties as assigned.

Performs other duties as assigned. Individual assignments will be determined by supervisor based on current workload and department needs.

Knowledge of Work

Has general knowledge of the mosquito control practices and procedures of the department. Has considerable knowledge of federal, state and local laws, regulations and codes governing environmental safety and public safety. Is skilled in the use of motorized equipment and hand tools. Is skilled in the operation of common office equipment and applications, including computers, word processors, spreadsheets and database programs. Is skilled in the writing and reviewing of reports and logs. Is able to exercise independent judgement and initiative in applying standards to a variety of work situations. Is able to exercise considerable tact and courtesy in frequent contact with the public. Is able to establish and maintain effective relationships as necessitated by work assignments.

Quality of Work

Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities. Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility. Maintains high quality communication and interacts within division and department, and with the general public.

Quantity of Work

Maintains effective and efficient output of all duties and responsibilities as described under “Essential Job Functions.”

Dependability

Assumes responsibility for doing assigned work and meeting deadlines. Completes assigned work on or before deadlines in accordance with directives, city policy, standards and prescribed procedures. Accepts accountability for meeting assigned responsibilities in the administrative, human and conceptual areas.

Attendance

Attends work regularly and adheres to city policies and procedures regarding absences and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and time-off requests.

Initiative and Enthusiasm

Maintains an enthusiastic, self-reliant and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountabilities. Strives to anticipate work to be done and initiates proper and acceptable direction for completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.

Judgment

Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility. Identifies problems or situations as they occur and specifies decision objectives. Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to problems or situations. Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum of errors. Seeks expert or experienced advice and researches problems, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment.

Cooperation

Accepts supervisory instruction and direction and strives to meet the goals and objectives of same. Questions such instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences are justified, i.e. poor communications, variance with city policy or procedures, etc. Offers suggestions and recommendations to encourage and improve cooperation between all staff persons within the division.

Relationships with Others

Shares knowledge with supervisors and staff for mutual and departmental benefit. Contributes to maintaining high morale among all division employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with department employees, staffers and managers in other departments, representatives from organizations, and the general public so as to maintain good will toward the department and project a good departmental image. Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions and complaints from other divisions and persons in order to maintain good will within the