Resume and Cover Letter are required

Open: 3/4/2025 – 3/16/2025

Salary: $90,365 – $101,825  

The Metropolitan Mosquito Control District (MMCD) was created by the Minnesota state legislature (Minn. Statute 473.704) in 1958 for the benefit of citizens of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington counties.

Our Mission: To promote health and wellbeing by protecting the public from disease and annoyance caused by mosquitoes, black flies, and ticks, in an environmentally sensitive manner.

Our Values: We value integrity, trust, cooperation, respect, and competence in our interactions with colleagues and customers.

Our Vision: To be the leading mosquito abatement district in the world.

The District Entomologist is a crucial role that keeps our District laboratory operations running smoothly and advises the Executive Director with the District’s IPM plan. You will oversee all of the District’s entomological operations, and ensure the integration of scientific advancement into public health initiatives and field operations.

As the District Entomologist, you will: 

Direct the operations of the Entomology Program, ensuring alignment with District Goals.

Oversee laboratory operations, including sample collection, processing and analysis.

Work closely with the Executive Director, Assistant Director of Operations, Integrated Services Manager and other staff to plan and advise treatment programs

Oversee recruitment, training and evaluation of assigned personnel.

Manage outside contractors for specialized projects, ensuring deliverables align with District objectives

Develop models to predict vector population dynamics

Collaborate with academic institutions, state officials, and other stakeholders to enhance program outcomes

Identify potential risks, assess safety protocols, and provide recommendations for safety guideline updates as necessary.

We’re a District committed to teamwork, community, learning, and development.

Annual Salary Range : $90,365 – $101,825 – this is a benefits eligible position -

Employer Paid:  Dental, Life Insurance, Short term/Long term disability, Vacation, Sick time, Holiday pay.

Employer Contribution – Medical, Public Employees Retirement Association

Other benefits offered – Vision, 457 Deferred Comp/ROTH plans, Voluntary life insurance.

MMCD is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

POSITION TITLE: District Entomologist

DEPARTMENT:       REPORTS TO:                     FLSA STATUS:

Entomology                Executive Director                 Exempt

CLASS SUMMARY:

The District Entomologist serves as the chief scientist for the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District, providing strategic leadership and scientific expertise in the development, implementation, and evaluation of mosquito surveillance, research, and control programs. This position oversees the District's entomological operations, manages laboratory activities, and ensures the integration of scientific advancements into public health initiatives and field operations. The District Entomologist supervises key personnel, including the Assistant Entomologist, Black Fly Program Coordinator, and Tick Specialist. Additionally, the District Entomologist works closely with the District Operations Manager, and Integrated Services Manager to advise and support planning of treatment programs. The District Entomologist collaborates with various teams to support the District’s mission of reducing vector-borne disease risks and improving residents enjoyment of the outdoors.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Policy Execution and Strategic Planning

• Execute policies and directives of the Executive Director.
• Ensure district policies and pertinent laws are followed.
• Recommend and develop effective policies, strategies, and procedures.
• Present Entomology activities to the Commission and other public entities.

Program Leadership and Management

• Direct the operations of the Entomology Program, ensuring alignment with the District’s mission and strategic plan.
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate division staff.
• Lead specialized programs such as black fly control and tick surveillance to ensure alignment with District goals.
• Develop and submit annual budgets for approval and effectively manage the program’s annual budget. 
• Foster collaboration and alignment across divisions to maximize program effectiveness.
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Develop and implement succession plans to ensure continuity of leadership and expertise within the Entomology division, identifying and mentoring potential future leaders.

Collaboration and Communication

• Work closely with the District Operations Manager, Integrated Services Manager, and other staff to plan and advise treatment programs.
• Ensure coordination between scientific research and field operations for optimal program outcomes.
• Communicate scientific findings and program outcomes to internal and external stakeholders, including board members, community groups, and the media.

Supervision and Staffing

• Oversee recruitment, training, and evaluation of assigned personnel.
• Conduct performance reviews and provide prompt and ongoing coaching and feedback to staff.
• Foster a culture of safety and address safety concerns promptly.
• Ensure the quality of all work meets standards.

Contractor Oversight

• Manage outside contractors for specialized projects, ensuring deliverables align with District objectives.
• Oversee contractor timelines, budgets, and deliverables.

Surveillance and Integrated Pest Management

• Design and oversee comprehensive mosquito, black fly, and tick surveillance programs.
• Develop evidence-based Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies to control nuisance and vector populations effectively.
• Evaluate and refine control measures for optimal environmental and operational outcomes.
• Lead ongoing research to assess and mitigate the impacts of control activities on non-target species and the environment, ensuring sustainable practices and compliance with environmental standards.

Entomology Laboratory 

• Oversee laboratory operations, including sample collection, processing, and analysis.
• Ensure adherence to professional laboratory standards and maintain accurate records.
• Ensure development and maintenance of up-to-date standard operating procedures (SOPs) for laboratory functions.
• Ensure accurate and timely species identification of mosquitoes, black flies, ticks and non-target organisms. 

Modeling and Risk Assessment

• Develop models to predict vector population dynamics.
• Provide actionable recommendations for operational decision-making and public health interventions.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate with academic institutions, state officials, and other stakeholders to enhance program outcomes.
• Represent the District at conferences, workshops, and interagency meetings

Safety and Compliance:

• Ensure that established safety procedures in all field and laboratory activities are followed.
• Identify potential risks, assess safety protocols, and provide recommendations for safety guideline updates as necessary.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  Bachelor’s degree in Entomology, Biology, Natural Resources or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.  Three to five years of experience in a supervisory/management role. Preferred qualifications include a graduate degree in public health, entomology, ecology, or a closely related field; a minimum of 7 years of professional; experience in entomology, vector control, public health, or other relevant field with at least 3 years in a leadership role; proven expertise in mosquito biology, black fly and tick ecology, integrated pest management, and modeling. 

KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED:

• Biology and ecology of mosquitoes, black flies and ticks.
• Scientific methods, including arthropod surveillance, investigative techniques, and data analysis.
• Pesticide application principles, effectiveness, and environmental impact.
• Integrated pest management principles.
• Research techniques, biostatistics, and technical report writing.
• Relevant laws, codes, and standards related to vector control and laboratory operations.
• Customer service principles and communication best practices.

• Safe operation of field and laboratory equipment.
• Methods for data quality verification and statistical analysis.
• Staff training and supervision techniques.
• Insect surveillance techniques and associated equipment.
• Development and application of methods for managing and analyzing program data effectively.

SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Expert analytical and research skills, with the ability to conduct data analysis and ensuring data integrity through quality assurance methods.
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• Proficiency in GIS, statistical analysis software, and other tools relevant to vector surveillance and control.
• Excellent communication skills for interacting with coworkers, supervisors, stakeholders, and the public. 
• Ability to prepare and deliver presentations to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills for diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects and lead multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

• Ability to identify mosquito, black fly, tick species and non-target macroinvertebrates from adult and larval/nymph samples.

• Ability to develop and ensure implementation of integrated pest management plans.
• Strong leadership, supervisory and mentoring skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and prepare detailed reports
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PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Positions in this class typically require fingering, grasping, reaching, standing walking, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.  Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to manipulate, lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Incumbents may be subjected to visiting outdoor field sites and operating a motor vehicle at times. 

NOTE:

The above job description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the business needs of the organization.

Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer

This document is available in alternative formats to individual with disabilities

by calling 651-645-9149 or through MN Relay Service at 1-800-627-3529