What are the responsibilities and job description for the Testing & Evaluation Entomologist position at Harris County?
This is a grant funded position.
If you’re looking to be a part of a collaborative environment where your skills can make an impact, explore our current opportunities in creating a better future for public health.
About Harris County Public Health:
Harris County Public Health (HCPH) includes a network of more than 1,100 public health professionals working together to improve health outcomes for the third most populous county in the United States. HCPH provides a multitude of services such as medical and dental services, community programming, and health education for the approximately 2.3 million people in unincorporated Harris County. Through its core values of innovation, engagement, and health equity, HCPH strives to bring meaningful solutions to public health issues while keeping Harris County healthy and vibrant.
Position Overview:
Under the supervision of the Alternative Mosquito Control & Applied Research (AMCAR) Manager, the Testing & Evaluation Entomologist (T&E) is responsible for overseeing all Insecticide Resistance Management (IRM) projects, maintains the mosquito colonies, and ensures the efficient, effective operations of the T&E laboratory.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Plan and monitor all laboratory and field-based tests (field cage tests, CDC bottle bioassays, and knockdown resistance genetic testing) to evaluate pesticide resistance in the mosquito population.
- Evaluate laboratory and field activities, generate and produce reports as required, and review novel IRM testing techniques for potential inclusion into MVC processes.
- Responsible for supervising and assisting with rearing multiple feral and colonized mosquito species through complete life cycles.
- Conduct surveys to determine the most suitable test sites for specimen collection.
- Deploy and retrieve mosquito egg collecting devices.
- Certify quality assurance and quality control within the laboratory by following all Federal and State protocols.
- Other duties as assigned, including special tasks involved in responding to an emergency event.
Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx
If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or emailADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net.
This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.
This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in Entomology, Public Health or related field of science.
- At least one (1) year of related work experience in mosquito control operation trapping and field collection, insectary colony rearing, or insecticide resistance testing.
- Valid Driver’s License (Texas upon hire) along with a good driving record required for daily surveillance and collection of species.
- Must acquire a Texas Certified Pesticide Noncommercial Political Applicator’s License within one year of employment.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite programs including Office 365 (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams, etc.).
- Knowledge of mosquito biology and habitats, including insectary colony rearing and insecticide resistance testing.
- Familiarity with mosquito biology, habitat and environmental factors.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Knowledge of laboratory skills, DNA extraction, and qPCR.
Organizational Leadership:
- Understands the organizational mission.
- Understands ethics and public good; is concerned with public trust.
- Demonstrates respect for the opinions and beliefs of others.
- Contributes to an inclusive workplace where equity, diversity, inclusion, and individual differences are valued and leveraged to achieve the vision and mission.
- Demonstrates a sense of responsibility for the success of the group.
- Collaborates with others to improve quality and address needs.
- Ability to adapt to change.
- Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect.
- Behaves in an honest, fair, and ethical manner.
- Assesses and recognizes own strengths and weaknesses.
- Uses sound judgment.
- Self-motivated.
- Organizes and maintains work environment to allow for maximum productivity.
- Communicates clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
Education:
- Master's degree in Entomology, Public Health or related field of science.
- This is a Full Time - Regular position.
- 40 hours per week.
- Must be able to work nights, weekends and holidays as required to accomplish the mission of MVCD.
- This position works in lab and in field. Field duties include operating a county vehicle to and from surveillance sites and carrying trapping equipment to and from surveillance site. Field portion is conducted in a variety of weather conditions including rain, heat and humidity.
- Comfortable working outdoors, lifting, bending, stooping, walking up inclines. Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. Must be in good physical health; able to tolerate high heat and high humidity for extended periods of time while working in a variety of habitats including spoils site, ship channel location, asphalt, concrete, dirt streets, etc
- Harris County Public Health: Mosquito & Vector Control Division - 3330 Old Spanish Trail, Houston, TX 77021.
Salary : $57,491
