Vector Control Specialist

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The Vector Control Specialist is responsible for surveillance and testing, complaint management, and treatment activities through the enforcement of the Environmental Health Code.

For more than 60 years, Maricopa County Environmental Services Department has been working with our community to ensure a safe and healthy environment. Maintaining a healthy environment improves the quality of life and seeks to prevent exposure to mosquito-borne diseases and hazardous substances in food, water, and soil. We are using education and innovative methods to protect more than 4 million residents of Maricopa County and its visitors.

• Work with a greater purpose
• Tuition reimbursement
• Exceptional work-life balance
• Opportunities for growth and development within Maricopa County
• Low-cost, high-value healthcare for you and your qualifying dependents

• Child care benefits, including access to the Maricopa County Kids Club, dedicated to serving Maricopa County families
• Paid vacation, sick time, and parental leave
• Extensive wellness program, including an incentive
• Enrollment in the Arizona State Retirement System, a defined retirement benefit requiring an 11.98% per paycheck contribution rate that includes a 100% employer match on Day 1
• Want to learn more about the County’s Qualifying and Compensation Philosophy? Follow this link to learn more!  Work With Us | Maricopa County, AZ

• One year of pest or vector control experience
• High school diploma or GED
• A combination of post-secondary education and/or job-related experience may substitute for the minimum qualifications on a year-for-year basis 

• A valid certification from the State of Arizona Department of Agriculture, Pest Management Division, as a Certified Applicator within (120) days of the hire date
• Must possess or have the ability to obtain a valid Arizona driver's license by the time of hire

• Associate’s degree or higher in environmental studies or a closely related field
• Experience performing vector control activities in a public sector environment.

• Evaluates problems and carries out treatments as needed, selecting biological, chemical, or physical control methods, application rates, and appropriate equipment to obtain required coverage.  
• Sets and retrieves mosquito monitoring traps and rodent traps; Collects vector specimens; Identifies mosquito species in larval and adult stages, flies, rodents, and other arthropod disease vectors; Sorts and identifies mosquito species in the lab or in the field as required.  
• Maintains complete and accurate records of fieldwork using current database software; Uses and maintains mobile computers for the collection of field data and completing daily activity reports; Submits daily reports of activities, including areas treated, nature of treatment, and type and quantity of materials used. 
• Investigates and resolves complaints of mosquitoes, rodents, bees, flies, and other vector infestations of residential, commercial, industrial properties; Ensures that public complaints receive prompt and appropriate attention; Re-investigates as necessary to ensure compliance with written notification of violations.  
• Monitors compliance of the Environmental Health Code by notifying property owners, businesses, other agencies, and the general public of vector infestations and their legal responsibility to correct them. 
• Coordinates with owners, operators, occupants, and governmental agencies to resolve conflicts. 
• Issues legal notices to abate; secures evidence of violations of vector control ordinances; Appears in court as a witness for the County Attorney for enforcement and prosecution cases, as needed. 
• Packages and delivers samples to the Bureau of State Laboratory Services if required; Travels as necessary for supplies, or information from private firms or other off-site governmental agencies; Delivers Gambusia to address customer mosquito problems.  
• Sorts and identifies mosquito species in the lab or in the field as required; Uses, cares and stores equipment and pesticides; Calibrates, maintains, and repairs spraying, fogging, trapping, and other vector control equipment; Educates the public by providing information and training; Advises citizens on matters of Vector Control and vector organisms and the pathogens they transmit.
• Acts in a lead capacity to close out complaints based on field and lab data; Distributes work orders in the absence of a supervisor; Trains new employees in field duties and compiles data and generates weekly reports of program operations. 

• Ability to sit for prolonged periods of time and complete computer work
• The work will occur in an office and field environment. While performing the duties & responsibilities the employee maybe exposed to loud noise, noxious odors, unsanitary conditions, chemicals, electricity, moving mechanical parts, varying weather conditions, and other related conditions and situations. Position is subject to atmospheric conditions: Fumes, odors, dust, mists, gases, or poor ventilation.
• Protective clothing is necessary for some environments
• Ability to lift 50-100 lbs. occasionally, 10-25 lbs. frequently, or up to 10-20 lbs. constantly
• Required to drive a vehicle from midnight to 5:00 am while applying treatments or during efficacy testing of adult mosquito samples

• Consideration will only be given to candidates who submit online applications

• Candidates will be contacted primarily through email and their Workday online application profile

• Must pass a pre-employment background and/or fingerprint investigation as required by statute or policy, including drug and alcohol testing requirements for positions designated as safety-sensitive

Maricopa County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application process or to perform the essential functions of the position under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact MHRFeedback@maricopa.gov to initiate the interactive process.