Pest Controller
What you'd do
The position is in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), at the Salt Lake City Healthcare (VISN 19) VA Medical Center (VAMC), in Salt Lake City, UT, within the Environmental Management Service. The primary purpose of this position is to prevent and control the entrance of pests and predators and eradicate infestations within all facilities. Integrated Pest Management is a preventative, long-term, low toxicity means of controlling pests.
Major duties
Plan, implement, and carry out a comprehensive Integrated Pest Management Program. Plan work required, reviews and acts upon complaints received, Select, mix, and apply restricted and general use pesticides necessary for treatment. Conduct inspections of buildings and grounds. Develop survey and treatment schedules for these areas and select materials and equipment to apply insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, germicides, etc. Interpret building plans and blueprints to locate and avoid building structural supports, electrical wiring, ventilation ducts, etc. Collect and identify common pests including ants, flies, mosquitoes, cockroaches, mice, rats, and birds. Identify seasonal pests such as mites, fleas, ticks, lawn garden pests, and termites. Utilize suitable Integrated Pest Management (IPM) control methods to reduce and control hazards to public health, stored products, structures, and vegetation. Locate and identify pests in stored products and determines the appropriate pesticide toxicity. Maintain data on infestations, type of treatment applied, results achieved, and existing conditions which may encourage infestation. Coordinate work with the Infection Control Nurse and other people in the Medical Center Make pest control troubleshooting inspections and recommendations. Complete required reports and necessary records to meet all regulatory agency requirements. Provide exterior treatment for insect or invertebrate infestations at all campus buildings monthly. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 7:30AM - 4:00PM Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized
What you need to qualify
This position includes two (2) Selective Placement Factors/SPF (skill, knowledge, ability or other worker characteristics are basic to - and essential for - satisfactory performance of the job). Selective Placements Factors are a prerequisite to appointments and represent minimum requirements for a position. Applicants who do not meet the Selective Placement Factors are ineligible for further consideration. The Selective Placement Factors for this position are: 1. "Possess the current Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certificate" and 2. "Possess a valid driver's license to operate a GSA vehicle to perform these duties". PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK CONDITIONS: Pest Controller may lift and handle materials weighing over 50 pounds and carry chemical solutions weighing up to 40 pounds for extended periods. Incumbents may work in cramped and uncomfortable positions. Frequent stooping, bending, kneeling, climbing and working in uncomfortable conditions may be encountered. The incumbent may move furniture, equipment, etc., as part of the treatment process. Incumbents may complete assignments indoors or outdoors. The incumbent may encounter heat, cold, dust, dirt, mud, unpleasant odors, etc. Incumbent may be exposed to areas with minimal ventilation and/or limited access. Incumbent is required to wear necessary safety equipment (i.e., respirators, gloves, and other personal protective devices) while completing and preparing all applications. May need to respond and/or on call 24 hours a day for emergencies to prevent loss in service and/or delay in patient care. Incumbent is required to travel to remote VA sites for inspections and evaluations. A valid driver's license is required to operate a GSA vehicle to perform these duties. Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualifications. For this position, the job element method is used to match what you, the applicant, can do against what the work calls for. Your knowledge, skills and abilities will be compared to the knowledge, skills and abilities (called job elements) needed for success. Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element (WG-2 and higher only; screen-outs are not applicable to WG-1). Applicants who appear to meet the screen out element are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated from consideration. The potential eligibles are rated against the remainder of the job elements. While a specific length of training and experience is not required, your responses to the questionnaire must be supported by detailed descriptions of your experience on your resume. You will be rated on the following Job Elements as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Dexterity and Safety Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading) Materials Measuring Instruments Technical Practices Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Without more than normal supervision IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
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