Manager, Integrated Pest Management

Description

Under the direction of the Office of the County Executive's Administration, to manage and coordinate the County's interdisciplinary Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program and ordinance.

Reporting to the Director, Office of the County Executive's Office of Sustainability and Resilience (OSR), the incumbent will manage and coordinate the County's interdisciplinary Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program and ordinance and related integrated natural resource management (INRM) initiatives, critical for the IPM program success. The INRM program located within OSR leads on policies and efforts related to pest management, sustainable landscaping, urban forestry, water conservation and carbon sequestration to protect the health and safety of County employees, the general public, and environment.

Typical Tasks

• Plans, directs, and coordinates the activities of the County's Integrated Pest Management program in accordance with all Federal, State and County laws, regulations and codes;
• Staffs the Technical Advisory Committee composed of representatives from various County departments, other government agencies and committees and environmental and community stakeholders;
• Develops and implements a consolidated County IPM program that crosses departments and agencies by providing training and technical assistance to facility managers and department IPM coordinators in the design, implementation, evaluation and modification of departmental IPM programs;
• Develops and maintains a pesticide screening database. Provides analytical studies on pesticide formulations and active ingredients through product information research and prepares an "Approved List of Pesticides" that is safe for County use;
• Coordinates the exemption process for the use of a product that is not on the County's approved list;
• Manages a county-wide pesticide inventory that indicates pesticide usage;
• Researches and develops IPM economic models as needed for County Parks and right of way vegetation management, landscape pest management, aquatic pest management, structural pest management, wild life pest management;
• Conducts field inspections and surveys to determine infestations of designated pests, develops GIS/GPS mapping system to track pest management activities;
• Assists department budgeting units in understanding economic IPM models with short and long term cost and environmental benefits and assists in preparing departmental budgets related to IPM programs and projects;
• Provides direction and technical assistance to departments in setting new concept adaptability trials, monitoring and evaluations;
• Develops approaches to educating County employees and the general public about integrated pest management and pesticide use; provides informational materials on IPM issues such as brochures, newsletters, training and information manuals; and maintains the contents of the IPM website;
• Prepares and presents project proposals for grant funding of IPM programs;
• Prepares reports and analysis for the Board of Supervisors, Federal and State agencies and the general public;
• Liaisons with private, municipal, state and federal national and international organizations, institutions and universities involved in IPM to explore new technology, joint projects, grants and initiatives;
• Performs other related tasks as necessary.

Employment Standards

Any combination of training and experience that demonstrates possession of the knowledge and abilities listed below:

Experience Note: A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skill and ability would be possession of a Bachelor's degree in Plant Protection (Agriculture) or related field and five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in the field of structural and non-production agriculture pest management.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of structural & non-production agriculture pest management, such as, principles and practices of vertebrate, invertebrate and vegetative pest management using integrated methods including biological, cultural and chemical control;
• Construction materials, and relevant building codes, ordinances and regulations;
• Principles and practices of budget preparation, grant application and administration;
• Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, hazards and standard safety practices, and pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations;
• Principles and practices of project management;
• Contracting processes and associated local, state, federal and other regulations.
  
  Ability to:
  
• Examine and re-engineer operations and procedures, formulate policy and develop and implement new strategies and procedures;
• Interpret, enforce and apply Federal, State and local policies, procedures, laws and regulations;
• Work cooperatively with county agencies, department administrators, managers, commissioners and the Board of Supervisors to achieve program goals;
• Obtain state structural and non-production agriculture pest control/advisory licenses and certifications as needed;
• Supervise and train staff;
• Make effective presentations to groups and organizations;
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.