Seasonal Vector Control Technician

In order to be considered for this position, applicants must successfully submit a completed application prior to the posting deadline. Applications submitted with incomplete or missing education and/or work experience sections will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed. These applicants will be disqualified from consideration. The attachment of a resume to the application does not fulfill this requirement and will not prevent incomplete applications from being rejected. Education and work experience fields must be completed, regardless of the presence of an attached resume.

Once the posting closes, all applications will be reviewed. The information provided on the application will be utilized to determine whether or not each applicant meets the Minimum Requirements for this position as noted in the Job Description. We encourage all applicants to provide a comprehensive, concise history of their education, certification, licensing, and employment history. Please read the Minimum Requirements thoroughly and then demonstrate that you meet these requirements on your application.

For questions regarding this posting, please contact Sherry Christman, Human Resources Analyst at schristman@norcopa.gov or 610-829-6382.

Equal Employment Opportunities - It is the policy of Northampton County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, sex, gender identity, gender expression, age, genetic information, disability, or any other status protected by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and any other state, federal, or local law.

GENERAL PURPOSE
The Seasonal Vector Control Technician is a technical position in the field of public health sanitation and vector control. This position involves a variety of tasks within Northampton County with work including the location of mosquito breeding areas, taxonomic identification, and the application of pesticides. This position requires work with biting insects which may be capable of transmitting disease.

This position is a temporary, seasonal assignment which runs approximately from April 1st through October 1st annually.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED
For work related issues, this position reports directly to the Vector Borne Disease Control Coordinator for Lehigh & Northampton County. For employment issues or complaints and/or concerns, this position reports directly to the Vector Borne Disease Control Coordinator, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation, and/or Director of Public Works.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED
This position is not responsible for the supervision of other employees.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF THE POSITION
Visits known or likely mosquito breeding sites on a daily basis to determine activity.

Takes and processes samples of mosquitoes or other arthropod vectors for laboratory processing and identification: population, age, sex, and species.

Uses insecticides, sampling, and control equipment safely, strictly following Department of Agriculture and Department of Environmental Protection Laws and Regulations.

Enters sampling information into multi-agency database, including location and environmental data.

Coordinates surveillance and control activities with other with other program staff including the Department of Environmental Protection and County-based programs.

Analyzes mosquito sampling data and suggests or selects most appropriate pesticide and method of application for each situation depending on kind and life cycle stage of mosquito.

Mixes and applies pesticide using a variety of chemicals in varying proportions, and one or more application methods including sprays, fogs, and solids.

Operates hand and power sprayer and fogging equipment, including specialized motor vehicles and those with specialized attachments.

Prepares analysis and reports of vector disease in the County of Northampton.

Interacts with the public to provide education and prevention of vector borne disease.

*An employee assigned to this title shall perform a majority, but may not perform all, of the duties listed in this job description. Conversely, minor level duties performed on the job may not be listed. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE - Completion of a high school, or general equivalency diploma. A college degree and/or courses related to the field of study are preferred, but not required.

CERTIFICATIONS - Must possess and maintain a valid and current motor vehicle Class C driver's license with an acceptable driving record; AND

Must possess, or obtain, a Pesticide Certification from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture for Category 16, Invertebrate Public Health (DEP provides training).

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION - A post offer motor vehicle driving record check will be completed for all candidates. Failure to successfully pass the background investigation will be cause for the offer to the rescinded.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Ability to operate a motor vehicle and independently travel to assigned work locations, meetings, etc.

Ability to use a microscope to identify mosquitos.

Knowledge of proper handling techniques and operation of safety equipment during the course of mosquito control work.

Ability to use field collecting equipment.

Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely in verbal and written form.

Ability to interpret results from tests.

Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English to perform the duties of this position.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
Traps and tools to collect mosquitoes and eggs, microscopes and various other laboratory equipment, pesticides and pesticide application devices, and computer and computer software including MS Outlook, Word, and Excel.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit, talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands or arms. Employee will be required to bend at the knees and waist to inspect mosquito breeding sources. Job requires repetitive motion activities. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to fifty (50) pounds on uneven terrain.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee works in outside weather conditions and may occasionally be exposed to heat, mud, water, rough terrain, wet and/or humid conditions, and toxic or caustic chemicals.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet while in the office, and moderately loud while in the field.

SELECTION GUIDELINES
Formal application, rating of education and experience, interview, and reference check as well as job related tests may be required.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

FLSA STATUS: FLSA NON-EXEMPT (ELIGIBLE FOR OVERTIME)
DESIGNATION: CAREER SERVICE
PAY GRADE: CS/GR16
UNION STATUS: NON-UNION

Updated February 2025