JOB SUMMARY

Protect and promote the public health of the residents of Pinal County, educate and train the public regarding a variety of environmental programs and dangers including West Nile Virus and other Arboviruses. Monitor and conduct surveillance for standing water and retention drainage issues that may become breeding grounds for mosquitoes and other pests, coordinate assigned vector control activities, respond to questions or concerns, and provide assistance when needed/requested under general supervision.  

Example of Duties

Work in this classification requires an individual to be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary classification functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this classification may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in this classification description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this description. 

TYPICAL CLASSIFICATION ESSENTIAL DUTIES:         

Advise and co-ordinate vector control activities, maintain MFR records for vector program, order and maintain chemical inventory, prepare annual program reports, schedule all mosquito fogging activities, prepare press release information, insure that the Webpage is updated with current fogging schedules, act as a link between Director and other vector program employees, and order and maintain lab supplies and other products needed to perform vector activities. 

Work closely with Arizona Department of Health Services Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Disease Section (ADHS-VZDS) to collect and interpret data on arboviruses that may be present in Pinal County, trap and collect mosquitos weekly from CO2 traps that are placed at varying locations throughout the county, maintain trapping equipment to insure consistent performance and results from the trap, conduct mosquito surveillance of standing water, identify potential mosquito breeding sites, perform surveillance for mosquito larvae and pupae in bodies of water, and monitor adult mosquito populations to identify diseases such as West Nile Virus and Western Equine Encephalitis.   

Conduct lab testing of mosquitoes collected in CO2 traps, separate mosquitoes by species and then test particular species for West Nile Virus, and test dead birds in lab setting using approved test methods for corvid samples to check for the presence of West Nile Virus.

Educate the public on reducing mosquito breeding habitats as an important part of pest control and surveillance, provide informational literature to the public on how to reduce mosquito breeding on their own properties and how to prevent the spread of West Nile Virus in their communities, and attend conferences in Vector, pool maintenance, and environmental health to stay current on information and advances in field of expertise.   

Create and maintain databases, file for chemical application, public consultations, abandoned green pools, standing water and larval surveillance data, and Vector program coordination activities, and report and disseminate information to various departments and personnel as needed for coordination of resources for compliance.

Perform mosquito and larval control in a manner consistent with state and federal regulations and with a licensed applicator in assessing and determining treatment parameters, if warranted, treat areas with proper amounts and types of pesticides by hand or with various types of equipment, and provide education to the public via phone, newspaper and door-to-door distribution.

Manage and coordinate the handling of larvicides and insecticides and store, mix, disperse, and dispose of chemicals in a manner consistent with manufacturer labels and guidelines set by the Structural Pest Control Commission of Arizona and the Arizona Department of Agriculture.

Investigate and evaluate mosquito and green pool complaints to ascertain if public health is at risk, provide education and enforcement recommendations as needed, inspect public and semi-public swimming pools as needed, and give corrective recommendations to permit holder to rectify any code violations.  

Conduct inspections and/or coordinate inspections with inspectors for the Smoke-free Program. 

Inspect a variety of entities for compliance with various legal codes governing sanitary conditions and investigate illegal dumping of solid wastes in a manner consistent with state and federal regulations. 

Perform inspections, investigations, and surveillance and control activities in an independent manner for environmental health nuisances..

Secure compliance with pertinent regulations by promotion of education and enforcement. Investigate possible violations, interview residents, photograph evidence, and conduct title searches to identify property ownership. 

Contact responsible persons and compose letters of notice of violation and order of abatement consistent with Pinal County Environmental Health Code

Prepare routine, recurring and special reports for management.

Help promote community interest and education relating to elimination of dangerous environmental nuisances and effective reduction of mosquito nuisances.

Maintain absolute confidentiality of work-related issues, customer records, and restricted County information.

Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Requirements

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK: 

Associate’s degree in Environmental Health, Biology, Chemistry, or related field.

Two (2) years of experience coordinating, monitoring, and inspecting environmental health issues and programs.

Valid Arizona State Driver’s License.

Arizona Restricted use Pesticide Applicator license within six (6) months of hire

Or an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience may substitute for the minimum requirements.

Supplemental Information

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

Knowledge of principles and practices of Public and Environmental Health.

Knowledge of pertinent Federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as they apply to area of assignment.

Knowledge of English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Knowledge of modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases.

Skill in utilizing personal computer software programs affecting assigned work and in compiling and preparing spreadsheets and reports. 

Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing.   

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other department staff, management, outside agencies, community groups and the general public. 

 PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The work is heavy and requires exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.  The work also requires the ability to balance, climb, crouch, finger, grasp, handle, reach, perform repetitive motion, kneel, lift, pull, push, stoop, walk, to operate motor vehicles and/or heavy equipment, speak, hear, and demonstrate visual and mental acuity.  

WORK ENVIRONMENT:      

Work is performed in a dynamic environment that requires the ability to be sensitive to change and responsive to changing goals, priorities, and needs.

NOTICE TO APPLICANTS: 

We appreciate your interest in our employment opportunities. At Pinal County, we value professionalism and treating others with respect. If these values are not demonstrated throughout the application and interview process we reserve the right to remove your candidacy from consideration and may impact your future Pinal County applications. 

The hiring salary for this position is dependent upon experience, qualifications and position funding; starting salaries above the first quartile require additional approval. 

This announcement may be closed as soon as a sufficient number of qualified applicants have applied.