Agricultural Inspector II

Mosquito Control•Wicomico, MD

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) is seeking an Agricultural Inspector II to join the Mosquito Control Program. This program provides direct service to communities across 16 Maryland counties, aiming to prevent mosquito-borne diseases in humans, pets, and livestock. Mosquito control is vital for Maryland's economy, particularly for outdoor tourism. The program utilizes surveys and monitoring of mosquito populations to coordinate control activities, including breeding source reduction, public education, biological control, and insecticide applications. This role is emergency essential and requires flexibility in work schedules, including early mornings, nights, weekends, and holidays, with potential overtime. The position is located at 27722 Nanticoke Road, Salisbury, MD 21801.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.
Two years of experience in one of the following: production, processing, marketing, grading or inspection of agricultural products or chemicals; assisting veterinarians in care and management of animals; animal disease control; care or management of livestock or inspecting veterinary hospitals, riding stables or livestock dealers; installation, inspection, repair, or testing of weighting, volumetric measuring or counting devices; inspecting labeling and packaging; pesticide sales, use, regulation, or application; production, maintenance or inspection of a tree plantation or nursery stock; pest or weed control; wildlife population censuring; or the production, sales, inspection or testing of seed or turf products.
Fifteen credit hours in agriculture; animal, biological, environmental, food or physical sciences; chemistry; mathematics; engineering, or law enforcement at an accredited college or university may substitute for each year of experience for up to two years of experience.
U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in quality assurance, inspection and grading classification or quality assurance, inspection and grading specialty codes in the agricultural commodity grading field of work may substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.
Knowledge of mosquito biology.
Familiarity with the geography of the assigned area.
Ability to accurately record data and enter data into databases and spreadsheets.
Ability to safely operate motor vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, boats, and motorized insecticide application equipment.
Must possess a commercial pesticide applicator certificate, issued by the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA), at the time of appointment or obtain such certification within six months after appointment, in a specialty area of public health or mosquito control.
Knowledge of various surveillance methods routinely utilized in mosquito control operations.
Knowledge of mosquito taxonomy to allow identification of mosquito specimens to species.
Ability to accurately record data on standard forms.
Knowledge of laws and policies regarding the storage and handling of insecticides.
Ability to organize information, such as surveillance data, insecticide and parts inventory.
Possession of a motor vehicle operator license valid in the State of Maryland.

Nice To Haves

Current commercial Pesticide Applicator Certificate
Experience with performing work in insect control and/or surveillance
Experience with performing mosquito control and/or surveillance
Experience working in a laboratory and/or field setting collecting, examining, classifying biological specimens and classifying insects

Responsibilities

Conducts control activities of larvae and adult mosquito populations in assigned areas, following departmental policies and procedures.
Performs adult mosquito surveillance, including field surveillance and landing rate counts.
Sets and collects mosquito surveillance traps throughout the region.
Handles collections according to established protocols for disease surveillance and pest management monitoring.
Assists in the processing of mosquito samples according to good laboratory practices.
Assists supervisor in conducting routine mosquito control operations, including mixing, loading, and transporting insecticides.
Assists with aerial spraying operations on the Eastern Shore.
Assists with routine office tasks at the Salisbury Regional Complex, including data entry, summarizing data, and GIS mapping.
Organizes information such as surveillance data, insecticide, and parts inventory.
Assists with droplet characterizations, calibrations, and repairs of ULV adulticide sprayers.
Assists in the calibrations of ULV sprayers, equipment, SmartFlow monitors, flow meters, pumps, and instruments.
Performs droplet characterizations and analysis using a DC-IV device to generate droplet spectra.
Assists with general repairs and maintenance of mosquito spray equipment.