Public Works Mosquito & Aquatic Weed Control Specialist - Charlotte County, FL

Performs technical and skilled work relating to pest management activities in aquatic weed, exotic vegetation, and mosquito control activities. Performs technical and skilled work conducting daily field surveillance, identification, assessment, and treatment of unwanted aquatic plants and pestiferous species in strict compliance with local, state, and federal guidelines and regulations. Requires some public contact, informing residence of treatment activities, aquatic and exotic vegetation weed growth reduction, mosquito breeding, health precautions and other department services. Participates in ground and aerial applications, inspections, assessments, and identifications.  Work is performed under supervision of the Pest Management Operations Supervisor and performance is reviewed through discussions, observation, analysis of work product, systems reports, routine field inspections, and evaluation of results achieved.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Performs routine field inspections in County rights-of-ways, natural areas, stormwater canals, ponds, lakes, ditches, and private properties; determines the incidence of breeding; identifies mosquito species; and performs ongoing surveillance to prevent new breeding areas from developing or expanding. 
• Performs pest mitigation work in aquatic and upland areas throughout the County; identifies species; determines amount and type of pesticide to apply; applies pesticides utilizing mechanical and manual applicators; maintains related documentation; and performs other related work necessary to meet permit conditions or established criteria and law. 
• Performs mitigation work in aquatic and upland areas throughout Charlotte County, requiring plant identification, applications of herbicides, manual exotic plant control measures, planting and transplanting, and other related work necessary to meet permit conditions or established criteria and law. 
• Performs public education activities; answers questions and provides information to residents regarding treatment activities, mosquito breeding and reduction, health precautions, and other department services; and distributes literature. 
• Participates in application of pesticides by helicopter; drives and positions tanker truck; fuels and re-fuels helicopter; mixes and loads chemicals.  
• Follows established safety procedures; utilizes safety equipment; wears protective gear; and monitors work environment to ensure safety of employees and other individuals. 
• Attends training courses to obtain required certification and endorsements. 
• Utilizes respiratory protection equipment and other Personal Protective Equipment as prescribed. 
• Operates County gasoline, diesel and electric equipment including airboats, boats, aquatic terrain vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, pick-up trucks, tankers, flatbed trucks, trailers, forklifts, pumps, sprayers, blowers, foggers, and pesticide application equipment necessary for the control of targeted species; and maintains equipment and vehicles. 
• Operates site maintenance equipment to include chainsaws, weed trimmers, lawn mowers, and other like equipment necessary to maintain access points. 
• Performs routine maintenance work on assigned equipment and other tasks necessary to achieve the goals and objectives of the Department. 
• Provides detailed and accurate written reports on all inspections, applications, inventory and related work activities. 
• Provides exceptional customer assistance, problem-solving, and/or complaints resolution by all forms of communication.