Vector Technician Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Introduction

THIS IS A NEW ASSEMBLED EXAMINATION. The eligible list resulting from this\r\nexamination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year\r\nbut can be extended.\r\n\r\nSupplemental\r\nQuestionnaire:A properly completed Supplemental Questionnaire must be\r\nsubmitted with each application. Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires\r\nmust be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00\r\np.m. on the Last Day for Filing. Failure to submit the Application or\r\nSupplemental Questionnaire will result in disqualification.\r\n\r\nApplications and Supplemental Questionnaires will only be\r\naccepted online.\r\n\r\n

DESCRIPTION

THE COUNTY\r\nAlameda County, located on the east side of San Francisco Bay, is\r\nCalifornia's seventh-largest county. The County employs 9,700 full-time\r\nemployees and operates on an annual budget of $3.4 billion. Oakland, the\r\nCounty seat, is California's eighth-largest city. One and a half million\r\npeople call Alameda County home and live in a variety of incorporated cities,\r\nunincorporated communities, and rural areas. As a major urban county,\r\nAlameda provides a full range of services to its citizens. The County is\r\na blend of culturally and ethnically diverse communities, and its mixture of\r\ncosmopolitan and suburban areas provides the perfect environment for families\r\nand their active lifestyles. The County offers extensive cultural\r\nresources, countless recreational opportunities, and an array of fine public\r\nand private colleges and universities.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\nALAMEDA COUNTY HEALTH \r\nAlameda County Health is the local government agency that\r\npromotes and protects the health and well-being of all who live, work, learn,\r\nand play in Alameda County. We coordinate services and cultivate partnerships\r\nwith community organizations and providers to help ensure access, organize, and\r\ndeliver health care and services to people with Medi-Cal and without insurance,\r\nsupport resilient communities, and improve health for all. We focus on health\r\nequity by developing programs and systemic solutions that reduce disparities\r\nfor the people and communities we serve. \r\n\r\nAlameda County Health's\r\ndepartments and programs focus on services and support that provide care for\r\nthe whole person.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The Behavioral Health Department provides mental health and\r\n substance use services for people with Medi-Cal and without insurance and\r\n supports people along their path to wellness, recovery, and resilience.\r\n The Environmental Health Department works to keep our air,\r\n water, and food safe; it regulates, protects, and promotes the health of\r\n everyone in Alameda County by enforcing environmental health codes to reduce\r\n exposure to toxins and diseases.\r\n The Public Health Department focuses on community and\r\n population-level health, preventing and addressing root causes of health\r\n inequity across a range of communicable and chronic diseases.\r\n Alameda County Health also provides services through Housing and\r\n Homelessness Services, Emergency Medical Services Agency, HealthPAC, and\r\n Healthy Schools and Communities.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\nENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT\r\nEnvironmental Protection Division (EP): As part of Alameda County Health, the Environmental Health\r\nDepartment protects and enhances people's health and quality of life by\r\nensuring food and recreational safety, reducing exposure to toxins and\r\ndiseases, and protecting the quality of our water, air, and environment. We are\r\nenvironmental protection specialists, food and recreation facilities\r\ninspectors, certified hazardous materials and waste specialists, recreational\r\nwater quality technicians, land and water protection regulators, and vector control\r\nbiologists.\r\n\r\nFor more information about the Department of\r\nEnvironmental Health, please visit www.acgov.org/aceh/. \r\n\r\nVECTOR CONTROL PROGRAM \r\nThe mission of the\r\nVector Control Services District is to prevent and minimize the spread of\r\nvector-borne diseases, injury and discomfort to the residents of Alameda\r\nCounty. Upon request, our Vector Control staff will provide an on-site\r\ninspection of your property, neighborhood, or community and evaluate the best\r\nmethods to control the particular vector through habitat modifications, source\r\nreductions, education, integrated pest management practices, and regulatory\r\ncode compliance.\r\n\r\n\r\nTHE POSITION \r\nUnder direction of the Chief, Vector\r\nControl Services District, the Vector Control Manager provides supervision and\r\nguidance for the Supervising Vector Control Biologists and Senior Vector\r\nControl Biologists and Vector Control Biologists for the County Vector Control\r\nServices District; assists the Chief in the overall administration of the\r\nDistrict; assists in managing and developing all vector control programs;\r\nprovides technical expertise in the field of vector control and vector-borne\r\ndisease and surveillance; consults with staff on policy and current pest\r\nmanagement practices, and environmental related matters; performs other duties\r\nas required.\r\n\r\nThe Vector Control Manager has\r\nspecialized program responsibility, providing direction and guidance for the\r\nprograms administered by the Vector Control Biologists. The Vector Control\r\nManager is responsible for direct supervision of the Supervising Vector Control\r\nBiologists. In addition, this class provides oversight for the programs\r\nassigned to the Senior Vector Control Biologists and monitors program\r\naccomplishments for incorporation into the annual report. Incumbent is\r\nresponsible to develop and coordinate staff trainings, education\r\nseminars/symposiums, and bed bugs training certification program.\r\n\r\nThis management class manages a\r\ncomprehensive vector program that requires both technical capability and\r\nmanagement skill. This is distinguished from Chief, Vector Control Services\r\nDistrict, which has overall management authority for the staff, activities and\r\nfunctions of the District.\r\n\r\n\r\nTHE VACANCY\r\nThe vacancies are located in the Vector Control division.\r\nIncumbents assigned to the Vector Control division are responsible for\r\noverseeing complaints from the public regarding vectors such as rodents,\r\nnuisance wildlife, and arthropods. Services provided include performing\r\ninspections, making recommendations, and educating complainants on vector\r\nbiology, ecology, and behavior. In some cases, staff may work closely with\r\nlocal code enforcement or other health agencies. In addition, employees in this\r\ndivision participate in conducting field surveillance for disease-causing\r\npathogens associated with various vectors. Vector control has a strong outreach\r\nprogram; we are involved in giving presentations at conferences, schools,\r\nspecial interest groups, and homeowners associations, and staffing booths at\r\nlocal fairs and other community events.\r\n\r\n\r\nTHE IDEAL CANDIDATE\r\nIn addition to meeting the minimum qualifications and\r\nknowledge and skills below, the ideal candidate will have:\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Exceptional ability\r\n to think strategically, determine long-term goals and identify the best\r\n approach to achieve those goals.\r\n Knowledge and\r\n understanding of vector borne diseases including rabies, Lyme disease, West\r\n Nile virus and yellow fever; experienced in surveillance control of mosquito\r\n viruses, rodent borne diseases and urban wildlife management.\r\n Strong\r\n organizational skills, including the ability to independently prioritize tasks\r\n and work on multiple projects simultaneously and be able to provide status\r\n updates on projects at a moment's notice.\r\n Demonstrated\r\n expertise in successful team building and staff leadership by developing\r\n direction and structure for subordinates to facilitate accomplishment of\r\n identified goals; experience in leading employees through change and managing\r\n resistance through professional development.\r\n Solid experience in\r\n managing work groups by instructing and advising subordinates, assigning and\r\n delegating workload; and tracking and evaluating performance.\r\n Strong background in\r\n program management, development, and outreach; experience developing programs\r\n surrounding environmental issues.\r\n Effective written\r\n and verbal communication skills, and the ability to communicate effectively\r\n with diverse populations.\r\n\r\n\r\nFor a detailed listing of the essential responsibilities\r\nand core competency requirements for this position, please click here for the job description.\r\n

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

\r\n\r\n\r\nThe minimum professional requirements for admission to\r\nthe competitive assessment process include:\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEither I\r\n\r\n\r\nExperience: \r\n\r\nThe equivalent of two years of experience in the class of Vector Control Biologist Supervisor in Alameda County classified service. \r\n\r\n\r\nOr II\r\n\r\nEducation: \r\n\r\nA Bachelor's Degree from an accredited four-year college or university (180 quarter units or 120 semester units) in Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, Environmental Health, Integrated Pest Management or closely related Health Sciences field is required. Examples of related fields include but are not limited to Microbiology, Entomology, Toxicology, Integrated Biology andother earth sciences. \r\n\r\nAND \r\n\r\nExperience: \r\n\r\nThe equivalent of four years of full-time professional-level experience in pest management, vector surveillance and/or control. This experience must have included program responsibility in program developing, planning and supervising. At least one year of supervisory experience is required. \r\n\r\n\r\nCertification: \r\n\r\nPossession of a California State Certificate as a Public Health Vector Control Technician specializing in Mosquito Control, Terrestrial Invertebrate Vector Control, and Vertebrate Vector Control is required at the time of appointment. \r\n\r\n\r\nLicenses: \r\n\r\nMust possess a valid California driver's license. \r\n\r\n\r\nVision: \r\n\r\nAbility to distinguish primary colors in order to conduct dye tests. This ability will be tested during the County pre-employment physical examination. \r\n\r\n\r\nPhysical Ability: \r\n\r\n\r\nMust be able to pull manhole covers (which require 75-100 lbs. force pull), climb ladders, and lift up to 50 lbs. Must be able to work in adverse weather conditions and on uneven surfaces. Must be able to drive a motor vehicle for up to 1-2 hours on a routine basis. Must be able to work on a computer on a routine basis. \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination. \r\n

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the 'Examples of Duties' section of this specification. \r\n\r\n\r\nThe most suitably qualified candidates\r\nwill possess the following competencies:\r\n\r\n\r\nKnowledge of: \r\n\r\n\r\n Management principles and practices, including work planning and employee supervision. \r\n Principles and practices of vector surveillance and control. \r\n Principles of Integrated Pest Management practice, and environmental health issues that related to vectors and nuisance species. \r\n General knowledge of current laboratory methods to support surveillance programs. \r\n Principles of public administration, financial analysis and report writing. \r\n Computer software, applications and hardware related to the work environment. \r\n Principles of budget, contract administration and interpreting financial records. \r\n Office administrative practices and procedures, including records management and the operation of office equipment. \r\n\r\n\r\nAbility to: \r\n\r\n\r\n Provide oversight and supervision to an established vector control program. \r\n Plan, supervise, review and evaluate the work of others, either directly or through subordinate supervision. \r\n Prepare clear and accurate reports, correspondence, procedures, policies and other written materials. \r\n Represent the department and the County in meetings with varied groups and organizations. \r\n Organize and prioritize work in order to meet critical deadlines. \r\n Exercise tact, sensitivity and sound independent judgment when communicating with staff, general public and other governmental agencies. \r\n Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, general public and other governmental agencies. \r\n

EXAMINATION COMPONENTS

The\r\nexamination will consist of the following steps:\r\n\r\n1) A review of\r\ncandidates' applications to verify possession of minimum requirements. Those\r\ncandidates who possess the minimum requirements for the classification will\r\nmove on to the next step in the examination process.\r\n\r\n2) A review of\r\ncandidates' Supplemental Questionnaires to select the best qualified\r\napplicants. Those candidates selected as best qualified will move on to the\r\nnext step in the examination process.\r\n\r\n3) An oral\r\ninterview examination which will be weighted as 100% of the candidate's final\r\nexamination score. The oral interview examination may contain situational\r\nexercises.\r\n\r\n\r\nCANDIDATES MUST ATTAIN A QUALIFYING RATING ON EACH\r\nPORTION OF THIS EXAMINATION.\r\n\r\nWe reserve the right to make changes to the announced\r\nexamination components.\r\n\r\nAlameda County\r\nutilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit. Such a system is\r\ncompetitive and based on broad recruitment efforts and equal opportunity for\r\nqualified applicants to test in an examination process designed to determine\r\nthe qualifications, fitness and ability of competitors to perform duties of the\r\nvacant position. Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the\r\nneeds of a current vacant position, in which case, the eligible list may be\r\nexclusively used for that current vacant position. Other recruitments may be\r\nmore broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate\r\njobs with comparable scopes of work.\r\n\r\nTo learn more about\r\nour recruitment and selection process, please visit the "What You Need to Know"\r\nsection of our website, hrs.alamedacountyca.gov.\r\n

RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION PLAN

Applicants will be\r\ninformed via email with reasonable noticein advance of any examination\r\nprocess which will require their attendance. The fo...