Remote Pest Control Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Summary
The position serves as Pest Controller in the Environmental Management Service at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System. The primary purpose of the position is to provide a complete facility pest control program at this facility.
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Duties
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MAJOR DUTIES:

• Plans, implements, and carries out a comprehensive Integrated Pest Management Program (IPMP).
• Identifies, controls, and prevents infestations of common household, structural, public health, nuisance, and plant pests.
• Inspects for pests in a variety of interior and exterior environments, including domiciliary residences, patient rooms, administrative and medical offices, food service areas, storage areas, warehouses, and Medical Center grounds.
• Develops pest maintenance schedules, material requirements, and application methods for appropriate pest management measures.
• Devises and maintains program plans and records; conducts ongoing surveillance and troubleshooting; and determines appropriate pest control measures without supervisory guidance.
• Applies in-depth knowledge of pest species and demonstrates proficiency in the safe handling, mixing, application, and disposal of pesticides in accordance with the Integrated Pest Management Program.
• Determines appropriate approaches, methods, and courses of action, including the use of chemical or physical methods to control pest infestations.
• Plans all required work, reviews and responds to complaints received, documents treatments provided, and identifies developing pest trends.
• Develops inspection, survey, and treatment schedules and selects appropriate materials and equipment.
• Selects, mixes, and applies restricted-use and general-use/ready-to-use pesticides necessary to control identified pests.
• Provides interior and exterior pesticide treatments and selects and sets various types of baits and traps to control insect, invertebrate, vertebrate, and weed pests.
• Completes required reports and maintains records to meet all regulatory agency requirements.
• Complies with all applicable Federal, State, local, and Medical Center directives pertaining to an effective Integrated Pest Management Program.
• Receives technical advice and guidance, as appropriate, while building and maintaining professional relationships with Federal, State, local, and consulting entomologists and other pest management officials regarding program development and specialized pest management needs.
• Works independently with minimal supervision and monitors contractor quality control and compliance, as applicable.
• Serves as the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) for pest control contracts.
• Prepares and submits required reports.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved
Requirements
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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Pre-employment physical required
• Subject to background/security investigation
• 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

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
CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENT: You must be certified as a California Certified Pesticide Applicator by the Office of Pest Management (OPM) to provide pest management services. Please provide certification information in your resume/application.
PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK CONDITIONS: Required to 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 frequently requires standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, climbing, and working in tiring and uncomfortable positions for extended periods of time. May also be asked to move furniture and equipment as well as various carpentry and masonry tools. Mus be medically qualified to wear a respirator. Work is accomplished both inside and outside. When working outside, may be exposed to hot sun for extended periods of time and occasionally to sever weather. Outside work may be done in marsh areas or under hot and dusty conditions for extended periods of time. 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 wild and rabid animals.
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 (includes 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.
Education
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Additional information
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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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.
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.
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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.
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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.