Vector Ecologist

THIS IS A NEW ASSEMBLED EXAMINATION.  The eligible list resulting from this examination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year, but can be extended.

Applications must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing.  Applications will only be accepted on-line.

Supplemental Questionnaire:  A properly completed Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted with each application.  Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing.  Failure to submit the Supplemental Questionnaire will result in disqualification.

THE COUNTY

Alameda County, located on the east side of San Francisco Bay, is California's seventh-largest county.  The County employs 9,700 full-time employees and operates on an annual budget of $3.4 billion.  Oakland, the County seat, is California's eighth largest city.  One and a half million people call Alameda County home and live in a variety of incorporated cities, unincorporated communities and rural areas.  As a major urban county, Alameda provides a full range of services to its citizens.  The County is a blend of culturally and ethnically diverse communities, and its mixture of cosmopolitan and suburban areas provides the perfect environment for families and their active lifestyles.  The County offers extensive cultural resources, countless recreational opportunities and an array of fine public and private colleges and universities.  

THE HEALTH CARE SERVICES AGENCY

Alameda County's Health Services Program is administered by the Health Care Services Agency and includes the following program areas: Behavioral Health, Public Health, Environmental Health, and Agency Administration/Indigent Health. The ultimate mission of the Health Care Services Agency is to provide fully integrated health care services through a comprehensive network of public and private partnerships that ensure optimal health and well-being and respect the diversity of all residents. Health Care Services Agency currently has multiple career opportunities for experienced professionals to become part of a service delivery team dedicated to the optimal health and well-being of Alameda County residents.  For more information about the Health Care Services Agency, please visit www.acgov.org/health/

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

Alameda County Department of Environmental Health operates various programs to protect the public.  For more information about the Department of Environmental Health, please visit www.acgov.org/aceh/.

THE POSITION

Under the direction and supervision of the Scientific Program Manager of the Alameda County Vector Control District, the Vector Ecologist conducts surveillance and control of vectors and vector-borne diseases; identifies vectors and habitat conditions that support those vectors; provides technical assistance and guidance for Vector Control Biologists; assists Scientific Program Manager in researching and conducting molecular/scientific testing methods for detecting pathogens and vector pesticides resistance of invertebrate vectors and vertebrate host animals.

This is a single position, self-directed, lead classification located in the Environmental Health Vector Control District, providing technical advice and support for the next lower-level classification of Assistant Vector Ecologist, as well as for Vector Control Managers and Vector Control Biologists.  The incumbent applies principles of biology and other related scientific disciplines to assist in developing and implementing the District’s vector and vector-borne diseases surveillance and programs; and serves as the medical entomologist charged with identification of invertebrate vectors and vertebrate reservoirs, and the training of staff on disease risks and methods of control. The Vector Ecologist assists the next higher-level classification of Scientific Program Manager in maintaining the vector laboratory. Within one year of service in this class, the incumbent is required to be certified by the California Department of Public Heath for applying pesticides in controlling mosquitoes, terrestrial invertebrates, and vertebrates.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications and knowledge, skills and abilities listed below, the ideal candidate will:

• Make decisions. 
• Work cooperatively and effectively with management, staff, and the public. 
• Develop and provide clear and accurate protocols, procedures, correspondence, and other instructional materials; prepare reports, evaluations, and recommendations. 
• Provide authoritative identifications of common vectors and nuisance wildlife. 
• Be experienced with current methodology of laboratory testing methods for detecting pathogens from vectors (insects and animals), pesticide efficacy for controlling vectors and rodents, and other pest related problems. 
• Know scientific principles and procedures of conducting vector surveillance, control, and laboratory testing.  
• Have fundamental knowledge of entomology, vector biology and ecology, disease surveillance, physical and chemical control methods of vectors, general biology of rodents and urban wildlife, and other related fields. 
• Communicate effectively to provide presentations at the Annual Conference of Mosquito and Vector Control Association of California (MVCAC), MVCAC Continual Education Workshops, and other job-related events. 

For a detailed listing of the essential responsibilities and core competency requirements for this position, please click here for the job description.

The minimum professional requirements for admission to the competitive assessment process include:

Either I  

The equivalent of two years as an Assistant Vector Ecologist or a Senior Vector Control Biologist in the Alameda County classified service.  

Or II  

A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited 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. An advanced degree is highly desirable.  

AND  

The equivalent of two years of full time experience in vector ecology, surveillance, and control. Experience providing lead responsibility is highly desirable.  

Certificate:  

Possession of a California State Certificate as a Public Health Vector Technician specializing in Mosquito Control, Terrestrial Invertebrate Vector Control, and Vertebrate Vector Control is required within one year of employment.  

License:  

Valid California State Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.  

Physical Requirements:  

·  Must be able to conduct field work (walk up/down and climb up/down steep canyons, creek beds, etc.).

·  Carry/move heavy field equipment up to 25 lbs.  

NOTE:     The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualif­ications in the announcement of an examination.  

The most suitably qualified candidates will possess the following competencies:

Knowledge of:  

·  Fundamental knowledge of entomology, vector biology and ecology, disease surveillance, physical and chemical control methods of vectors, general biology of rodents and urban wildlife, and other related fields.

·  Scientific principles and procedures of conducting vector surveillance, control, and laboratory testing.

·  Identification of common vectors and nuisance wildlife.

·  Knowledge of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies to recommend environmentally sound methods of reducing and eliminating vector populations and nuisance pest or wildlife problems.

·  Methods of prevention and abatement of vector infestations, pesticide safety and personal protection, and hazards to non-target species.

·  Current methodology of the laboratory testing methods for detecting pathogens from vectors  (insects and animals), pesticide efficacy for controlling vectors and rodents and other pest related problems.

·  Laws, rules, and regulations that Federal, State and local ordinance govern concerning environmental issues such as: endangered species, restricted pesticides usages, wildlife relocation, medical waste disposal.

·  Computer skills in operations and software, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point.           

Ability to:  

·  Provide authoritative identifications of common vectors and nuisance wildlife.

·  Develop, plan, organize, and direct all aspects of the District’s vector-borne disease surveillance and control programs, and special research projects.

·  Develop and provide clear and accurate protocols, procedures, correspondence, and other instructional materials; prepare reports, evaluations, and recommendations.

·  Collect and compile data, analyze scientific findings; prepare reports for the Annual Report and Newsletter; and prepare manuscripts and submit for peer review for scientific journal publication.

·  Communicate effectively in writing for developing brochures, factsheets, instructions, procedures and protocols.

·  Communicate orally to provide presentations at the Annual Conference of Mosquito and Vector Control Association of California (MVCAC), MVCAC Continual Education Workshops, and other job-related events.

·  Work cooperatively and effectively with management, staff, and the public.

·  Make decisions.

The examination will consist of the following steps: 1) A review of candidates' applications to verify possession of minimum requirements. 2) Those candidates who possess the minimum requirements for the class will move on to the next step in the examination process which is a review of candidates' Supplemental Questionnaires to select the best qualified applicants to continue in the process. 3) Those candidates selected as best qualified will move on to the next step in the examination process, an oral interview examination which will be weighted as 100% of the candidate's final examination score. The oral interview examination may contain situational exercises.

CANDIDATES MUST ATTAIN A QUALIFYING RATING ON EACH PORTION OF THIS EXAMINATION.

We reserve the right to make changes to the announced examination components.

Alameda County utilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit. Such a system is competitive and based on broad recruitment efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to test in an examination process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position.  Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the needs of a current vacant position, in which case, the eligible list may be exclusively used for that current vacant position. Other recruitments may be more broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate jobs with comparable scopes of work.

To learn more about our recruitment and selection process, please visit the “What You Need to Know” section of our website, www.acgov.org/hrs.

Applicants will be informed via email with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance.  The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the Agency:  

TENTATIVE SELECTION PLAN: 

**The combined oral examination/hiring interview, in addition to establishing an eligibility list, may serve as the final selection interview for vacancies in this classification.

WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE ANNOUNCED RECRUITMENT & SELECTION PLAN

Alameda County and the Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination and/or selection process to accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Alameda County’s Reasonable Accommodation Policy and applicable statues.  To request an accommodation due to a disability/medical condition during this or other phases of the examination/selection process, please contact the assigned Human Resources Representative listed on the job announcement before the last date of filing. Alameda County requires applicants to provide supporting documentation to substantiate a request for reasonable accommodation. In order to qualify for a reasonable accommodation, applicants must have a disability/medical condition pursuant to the ADA, FEHA and applicable statutes.

For more information regarding our Reasonable Accommodation procedures, please visit our website, www.acgov.org/hrs/divisions/ps/application.htm

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 11 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Group Auto/Home Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

All notices related to County recruitments for which you have applied will be sent/delivered via email. Please add @jobaps.com, acgov.org and Noreply@jobaps.com as accepted addresses to any email blocking or spam filtering program you may use. If you do not do this, your email blocking or spam filtering program may block receipt of the notices regarding your application for recruitments. You are also strongly advised to regularly log into your County of Alameda online application account to check for notices that may have been sent to you. All email notices that will be sent to you will also be kept in your personal online application account. You will be able to view all of your notices in your online application account by clicking on the "My applications" button on the Current Job Openings page.

Please take the steps recommended above to ensure you do not miss any notices about a recruitment for which you have applied. The County of Alameda is not responsible for notices that are not read, received or accessed by any applicant for a County recruitment. 

NOTE: All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email box Noreply@jobaps.com are routed to an unmonitored mailbox. If you have questions, please go to our website at www.acgov.org/hrs. You may also contact the Human Resources Analyst listed on the job announcement for the recruitment for which you have applied.

Nicole Lewis-Bolton, Human Resources Analyst

Human Resource Services, County of Alameda

(510) 272-6468 • nicole.lewis-bolton@acgov.org

Disaster Service Worker

All Alameda County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law.  Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect.  Employees are required to report to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Alameda County has a diverse workforce, that is representative of the communities we serve, and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.  All aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance and business need. Alameda County does not discriminate in employment on the basis of: race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors protected under federal, state and local law. Alameda County celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive, and welcoming workplace environment.