Job Role Summary

Technicians work independantly in one of fifteen Mosquito Control zones. Technicians complete field work - working outdoors. Checks known or potential mosquito breeding sites for the presence of mosquito larvae, pupae, rafts or adults: applies insecticides by spraying or other control measures to reduce/eliminate the potential disease-bearing and nuisance mosquito population in Marion County.

Essential Duties

• Performs area surveys for potential mosquito breeding sites.
• Collects mosquito larvae/adult specimens: sorts adult mosquito collections - prior to identification and virus testing by laboratory personnel.
• Assist in rearing larvae and adult specimens used to test for product effectiveness and mosquito resistance.
• Checks, reads rain gauges and monitoring devices; records information on daily report and into data collecting software through hand held device.
• Conducts application of larvicides, adulticides, or other mosquito control measures in accordance with prescribed (assigned) zone/route or as required (by mosquito population data or disease transmission data).
• Performs routine maintenance on vehicles and application equipment – and completes appropriate documentation of the condition of the vehicle. Notifies supervisor of any problems.
• Performs daily itinerary of activities – organizing for the shift.
• Maintains radio communication with Mosquito Control Base - as required by the Indiana State Chemists Office.
• Maintains appropriate documentation of site visits and treatments (Jensen Codes).
• Transports/carries application equipment and chemicals to remote or inaccessible sites.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Technicians may be asked to answer phones and record information from the public (Requests for Service).
• Technicians may be asked to do grounds keeping activities and equipment cleanup chores.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED
• Must be 18 years or older
• Work experience in mosquito control operations preferred
• Familiarity with the operation of heavy equipment preferred

Licenses/Certifications Required

• Possession of a valid driver's license is required and have a good driving record.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong oral, written communication skills, keen observation and assessment/interpretive skills; good interpersonal techniques use of sprayers, various testing/sampling equipment, microscope, pesticides

Knowledge of:

• Transportation laws and regulations
• Environmental health and safety standards/regulations/ordinances
• Taxonomy of mosquitos, epidemiology of mosquito vector, habitats of mosquitos
• Chemicals used

Ability to:

• Organize and prioritize duties; analyze situations and make decisions based on good judgment; work with minimal supervision
• Work effectively, diplomatically with wide variety of people, often under pressures and emergency or stressful situations. Learn how to operate heavy equipment for source reduction projects
• Skills in map reading, following directions, assessing area/depths of standing water; good driving skills essential.
• Knowledge of general layout, directions of main streets and highways in county

Working Enviornment

CONTACTS - INTERNAL/EXTERNAL:

• Department staff
• Vendors/suppliers
• Clients/customers

MENTAL/VISUAL/PHYSICAL STRAIN:

• Much walking (3-8 miles per day); lifting/carrying hand sprayer and chemical contents (25 lbs); climbing over obstacles; wading in ditches, swamps, etc
• Mental pressures associated with continual 10 mph driving (at night); traffic; adjusting to changes in priorities/orders; reading map while driving; controlling spray gauge for proper output
• Exposure to inclement weather, occasionally to unsanitary/unhealthy conditions, potentially dangerous chemicals present (if safety standards are not observed); often required to work in undesirable physical surroundings

Special Skills

• Valid driver’s license
• Ability to work irregular hours, often under time/deadline pressures
• Ability to work under adverse physical conditions (e.g., varied traffic and weather; terrain hazards; odors; insect/animal bites)
• Considerable physical effort; walking, climbing, lifting, and carrying equipment
• Field investigations in assigned district; office work
• Exposure to various types of chemicals/potential hazards
• Must be thorough in completing assigned route, assignments and accurate recording of data; complement mechanic’s efforts to maintain operating condition of truck, sprayers and other relevant equiptment.