Mosquito Control Laboratory Technician

City of Jacksonville, FL • Jacksonville, FL

74d

About The Position

This is technical laboratory and/or field work involving a variety of laboratory procedures. Work requires knowledge of laboratory techniques, methods, procedures, and equipment used in the operation of mosquito control laboratory facilities which involves the use of specialized skills or specialized equipment, which is acquired through a combination of training and considerable on the job experience. Contacts require courtesy, tact, and effectiveness in dealing with others and includes requesting or providing information, asking questions, or obtaining clarification; interaction with the general public including responding to general inquiries, participating in outreach and educational programs, and representing the division at meetings as needed. The work is semi-routine in that tasks are covered by practices and procedures, but some latitude is permitted to consider the most appropriate practice or procedure to follow; however, the work also involves differing situations requiring use of judgment in search for solutions or new applications within one's own experiences. Work is performed in the field and a laboratory and involves working with chemicals and other reagents typically found in laboratories. Operates a vehicle, stereo microscope, entomological laboratory equipment, and other standard laboratory instruments and equipment, and personal computer. The physical demands of the work require lifting equipment up to 50 pounds occasionally and involves exposure to chemicals and bio-hazardous materials. Work is performed under general supervision where work assignments are subject to instructions and established procedures, although the worker is permitted some latitude to set own priorities subject to superior's approval.

Requirements

• Three years of education and/or experience in chemistry, biology, or laboratory analysis in an environmental field such as in wastewater treatment, water pollution control or industrial chemical or quality control work or mosquito control.
• Must be free from color and shade blindness.

Nice To Haves

• Certification from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in Public Health Pest Control within the six-month probationary period.
• Possess and maintain a valid driver's license during employment.
• Qualify for, obtain, and maintain a City of Jacksonville public driver certification.

Responsibilities

• Conducts moderately complex laboratory investigations and experiments.
• Prepares analyses of findings using a variety of simple statistical methods.
• Collects samples and performs moderately complex physical, chemical, biological and bacteriological analyses of laboratory samples and cultures.
• Conducts a variety of tests to determine biological, chemical, bacterial and related ingredients.
• Maintains records of results of examinations and investigations.
• May train new laboratory personnel in the care, use, and cleaning of laboratory equipment and facilities and routine analyses.
• Depending upon assignment, performs field collection and identification of mosquitoes, maintenance of sampling equipment, application of control products, and special studies such as collecting blood samples from sentinel chickens and control products efficacy studies.
• Depending on assignment, responds to emergency activation and recovery in accordance with administrative direction.
• Operates standard office equipment such as personal computer using word, spreadsheet, database, and other related software and standard laboratory equipment such as stereo microscope and entomological equipment.
• Demonstrates proficiency in the City of Jacksonville's competencies.
• Performs related duties as required.

What This Job Offers

• Industry: Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support