Mosquito Control Spray Technician

Company: City of Portsmouth
Location: Portsmouth
Posted on: September 22, 2022

Job Description:

General Statement of the Job & Essential Functions

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, Skills & Abilities

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 city. Interacts effectively with fellow employees, supervisor, professionals and the general public.

Coordination of Work: Plans and organizes daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Avoids duplication of effort. Estimates expected time of completion of elements of work and establishes a personal schedule accordingly. Attends meetings, planning sessions and discussions on time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules. Maintains a calendar for meetings, deadlines and events.

Safety and Housekeeping: Adheres to all safety and housekeeping standards established by the city and various regulatory agencies. Sees that the standards are not violated. Maintains a clean and orderly workplace.

Education, Experience & Special Requirements

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
Requires a high school diploma or the equivalent, and 2-3 years of experience in mosquito control or semi-skilled maintenance operations, other related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.


SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
A Virginia Commercial Pesticide Applicator's License (Categories: 8 Public Health Pest Control, 6 Right-of-Way Pest Control, 5A Aquatic Pest Control - General) is required within 90 days of hire.

Requires satisfactory results from a pre-employment medical evaluation and pre-employment substance abuse testing and is subject to random alcohol and controlled substance testing.

This job is considered "Essential Personnel," and requires attendance and working during and following natural disasters and emergency situations.

An acceptable general background check to include a local and state criminal history check. A valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.

Physical Demands

Physical Requirements : Must be physically able to operate a variety of office machinery including computers, calculators and copiers, etc. Must be capable of lifting up to 50 lbs. and pushing/pulling up to 100 lbs. of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of work constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are for Medium Work and include stooping/kneeling, crouching/crawling and climbing/balancing.

Data Conception : Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural or compositional characteristics (whether similar or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.

Interpersonal Communication : Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving instructions, assignments or directions from superiors; giving instructions, assignment or directions to subordinates and advising the public on divisional policies.

Language Ability : Requires the ability to read and interpret a variety of reports, logs, trade journals, codes, policy/operation manuals, guidelines, maps, etc. Requires the ability to interpret basic biological, chemical and environmental terms and concepts. Requires the ability to prepare correspondence, reports, logs, etc., using prescribed formats. Requires the ability to speak with poise, voice control and confidence.

Intelligence : Requires the ability to apply principles of logical thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagrammatic form; deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Verbal Aptitude : Requires the ability to record and deliver information, explain procedures, and to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical or professional languages including biological, chemical, environmental safety and public health terminology.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) REQUIREMENTS The City of Portsmouth is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the City to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations. This is a class description and not an individual position description. A class specification defines the general character and scope of duties and responsibilities of all positions in a job classification, but is not intended to describe and does not necessarily list the essential job functions for a given position in a classification.

Numerical Aptitude: Requires the ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide; calculate/utilize decimals and percentages; interpret graphs; and perform calculations involving variables, formulas, square roots and polynomials.

Form/Spatial Aptitude : Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.

Motor Coordination : Requires the ability coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using necessary equipment and tools, including office equipment.

Manual Dexterity : Requires the ability to handle a variety of items such as equipment and tools, including office equipment. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

Color Discrimination : Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color, sounds, textures, odors and shapes.

Interpersonal Temperament: Requires the ability to perform a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature without loss of efficiency or composure. Must be adaptable to performing under variable levels of stress.

Physical Communication : Requires the ability to talk and hear: (Talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words. Hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear.) Must be able to communicate via telephone.

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