09/05/2002 95140

VECTOR CONTROL PROGRAM MANAGER, DMVA

DEFINITION:

This is professional, technical work in the field of vector control, environmental sanitation, and weed control.

The employee in this class performs specialized work and has statewide responsibility for planning, coordinating, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating vector control, environmental sanitation, and weed control activities to ensure compliance with state and federal rules and regulations for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA). Work involves coordinating all vector control plans and activities to ensure program elements are met and all actions taken are consistent with environmental and safety standards. Work includes developing plans for the control and/or eradication of vectors and vector related problems, determining priorities for control or eradication of vectors, and evaluating the overall effectiveness of those plans. Work may include supervision of one or more Vector Control Supervisors and/or a Vector Control Specialist staff. Work is assigned in the form of goals and objectives and the employee exercises considerable freedom in scheduling and completing the work. Work is reviewed upon completion by a professional supervisor for completeness, technical accuracy and quality.

EXAMPLES OF WORK:

Develops, implements, monitors and evaluates a departmental Vector Control Program Plan.

Evaluates the effectiveness of the Vector Control Program and revises to meet program goals and objectives.

Conducts vector surveys to determine the presence of vectors, the extent of infestations, breeding sites, food sources, impact on surrounding areas, causes, and effective elimination methods.

Collects and identifies samples and/or specimens.

Maintains survey records.

Determines the species and origins of insects and rodents and maintains records.

Determines priority vector control problem areas using data collected in the surveys.

Investigates complaints, determines problems, and recommends and implements corrective action.

Identifies areas to be sprayed with insecticides or herbicides for insect and/or weed control.

Directs spraying operations to insure proper use of equipment, proper mixture and application of chemicals.

Evaluates the effectiveness of spraying operations to ensure compliance with program goals and objectives and safety requirements.

Develops contract specification language.

Selects, monitors, and evaluates contracting services to ensure contract compliance.

Operates, calibrates and performs routine maintenance on a variety of spraying equipment used in the control of insects and weeds.

Reviews requests for litigation involving the vector program.

Develops or recommends changes to policies and procedures involving the vector control program.

Uses algebra and arithmetic and selected formulas to compute proper pesticide and herbicide applications.

Interprets building plans and blueprints to locate and avoid building structural supports, electrical wiring, ventilation ducts, etc., for use in application planning.

Uses masonry boring equipment and structural injectors for such pesticide applications as termite control.

Develops and conducts on-the-job training in vector control and eradication for field personnel and Vector Control Specialists.

Provides advice to field personnel on difficult or unusual vector control issues and develops plans and programs to resolve these issues.

Provides information to department personnel regarding vector control plans, programs, policies and procedures.

Prepares news releases regarding the vector control program functions and activities.

Serves as liaison for the Vector Control Program with other Commonwealth agencies, federal agencies, and county health departments.

Prepares reports and correspondence to exchange information with government officials, supervisory personnel, and the public.

Operates a motor vehicle to travel to various sites within the state.

Employees in this class may participate in the performance of their subordinates' work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of chemistry and biology as it related to environmental sanitation, vector control and weed control.

Knowledge of state and federal environmental rules, regulations, policies and procedures governing environmental sanitation, vector control, and weed control.

Knowledge of the procedures, techniques, and equipment utilized to conduct vector surveys.

Knowledge of the accepted practices and techniques utilized in controlling and eradicating vectors and weeds.

Knowledge of the common pesticides and herbicides used in controlling and eradicating vectors and weeds.

Knowledge of the safety precautions required for pesticide and herbicide use, storage and disposal.

Knowledge of the diseases that can be transmitted by vectors.

Knowledge of the safety precautions required while conducting surveys and investigations involving vectors and weed control.

Knowledge of ornamental and ground cover plant diseases and pests for detection and identification.

Knowledge of the vector collection methods and the identification of disease carriers.

Knowledge of the procedures, techniques and equipment utilized in spraying areas for insect control.

Knowledge of the proper application of vector control equipment to various settings.

Knowledge of toxic chemical disposal including the proper use of safety procedures; poison baiting techniques such as using zinc phosphide bait for rodent control; proper discharge of milky-spore disease for control of Japanese beetles; and techniques used to trap wild animals such as raccoons, skunks, and beavers.

Ability to prepare, review and evaluate vector control plans, policies and procedures.

Ability to collect, examine, and identify samples or specimens.

Ability to use vector analysis lab equipment and operate vector and weed control spraying equipment.

Ability to evaluate the effectiveness of the vector control program.

Ability to interpret and apply federal, state, and local rules, regulations, policies and procedures related to the vector control program.

Ability to evaluate the effectiveness of the vector control program based upon compliance with rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Ability to develop and conduct training courses in vector control and eradication for field personnel.

Ability to prepare and deliver presentations to special interest groups on DMVA's Vector Control Program.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with field personnel, co-workers, supervisors, state and federal regulators, and department directors.

Ability to operate a motor vehicle.

Ability to work in confined spaces and areas of height.

Sufficient eyesight and color perception to permit use of microscopes for the identification of samples of specimens. Sufficient eye-hand motor coordination to operate and maintain vector control equipment.

Sufficient physical stamina to permit working under adverse weather conditions.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:

Four years experience performing vector control work including one year of experience in a supervisory capacity;

                                                                                                                                                            or

An equivalent combination of experience and/or training.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Possession of a valid motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and

Possession of a current Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Pesticide Applicators certificate for industrial, institutional, structural and public health related pest control.