Remote Integrated Pest Management Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Summary
The position is located under the Environmental Management Service (EMS) /Pest Control Section, under the Chief of Environmental Management Service (EMS). Incumbent is responsible for the complete facility integrated pest control program for the San Diego Veterans Affairs Health Care System, completes all pest management activities independently and will be licensed through the state of California.
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Duties
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The major duties include but are not limited to:

• Identifies, controls and prevents infestation of common household, structural, public health, nuisance and plant pests;
• Designs and maintains all program plans and records, ongoing surveillance and troubleshooting and determines which pest control measures are needed without Supervisory guidance;
• Applies in-depth knowledge of pest species and is to be skilled in the safe handling, mixing, application and disposal of pesticides requirements within integrated pest management program;
• Uses equipment such as wrenches, pliers, screw drivers and similar hand tools to provide operator maintenance of application equipment;
• Changes nozzles, valves and hoses and adjusts and calibrates nozzle settings, lubricate motors, pumps and agitators;
• Determines approaches, methods and courses of action such as whether to utilize chemical or physical methods in controlling a pest infestation;
• Plans all work required, review and act upon complaints received; documents treatment provided and identify developing pest trends;
• Develops inspection, survey and treatment schedules and selects proper materials and equipment;
• Selects mixes and applies restricted and general/ready-to-use pesticides necessary to control identified pests;
• Provides all interior and exterior pesticide treatment, selects and sets various types of baits and traps to control insects, invertebrate, vertebrate and weed pests;
• Completes required reports and records to meet all regulatory agency requirements;
• Follows all Federal, state, local and medical center directives that are pertinent to an effective Integrated Pest Management Program;
• Contacts regulators, waste management firms, recyclers and product buyers to compile information to establish or change waste management and recycling programs as needed to conform to current regulations and/or market trends;
• Uses broad knowledge of pesticide toxicity, chemical solutions and baits and possesses in depth knowledge of the physical characteristics, lifestyles and feeding habits of a wide variety of pests; and,
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 07:00am-3:30pm, Wednesday 12:00pm-8:30pm
Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Applicable
Position Description Title/PD#: Pest Controller/PD09909A
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
PHYSICAL EFFORT: The person in the position is required to often lift, and handle materials weighing over 23 kilograms (50 pounds) and carry chemical solutions and equipment weighing up to 18 kilograms (40 pounds) for extended periods. May work in cramped and inconvenient surroundings requiring manipulation of equipment in awkward positions for prolonged periods. Work requires standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, climbing and working in tiring and uncomfortable positions for extended periods. May also be asked to move furniture and equipment as well as various carpentry and masonry tools. May be required to move regulated medical waste containers that weight up to 75 pounds. Must be medically qualified to wear a respirator.
WORK CONDITIONS: Work is accomplished both inside and outside. When working outside, incumbent may be exposed to hot sun for extended periods of time and occasionally to severe weather. Outside work may be done under hot and dusty conditions for extended periods. Inside work is often accomplished in structural areas with minimum ventilation and/or limited access. May mix substances and apply pesticides while wearing respirators, gloves and other personal protective equipment designed to nullify the risk of exposure to toxic dust and sprays which might damage their health. Damage to health may occur if appropriate safety procedures are not followed. Discomfort may be experienced while wearing protective clothing, respirators, goggles or face masks for extended periods of time. May be exposed to poisonous insects, reptiles and plants and to wild and rabid animals.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Services Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
• Applicants must possess a Pesticide Applicator License, Category K, for the State of California.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
LICENSURE REQUIREMENT: Per VA Directive 1850.02, Pest Control Operations, Chapter 5, all Pest Management Programs, VHA or commercial, must be licensed by the state and local municipalities where the work is being performed. You must possess a California state license in the following areas: Category K- public health, structural, and ornamental insect and disease control. (COPY OF CERTIFICATION REQUIRED: If you do not submit a copy of your certification, your application may not be reviewed.)
EXPERIENCE: A specific length of training and experience is not required, but you must show evidence of training or experience of sufficient scope and quality of your ability to do the work of this position. Evidence which demonstrates you possess the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the duties of this position must be supported by detailed descriptions of such on your resume. Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualification Standards.
SCREEN-OUT ELEMENT: Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element, which usually appears as question 1 in the on-line questionnaire. Those applicants who appear to possess at least the minimal acceptable qualification requirement are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated. The potential eligibles are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements:

• Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision
• Dexterity and Safety
• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading)
• Materials
• Measuring Instruments
• Technical Practices
• Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment

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; religions; 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.
Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. 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.
Education
There is no educational substitution/requirement for this position.
Additional information
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.
The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/.
Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.