Vector Control Biologist

Introduction

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.

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 Application or Supplemental Questionnaire will result in disqualification.

Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires will only be accepted online.

Qualified bilingual persons who speak English and are also fluent in: Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Laotian, Korean, Mien, Tagalog, Amharic, Farsi, Dari, Tigrigna, Russian, Romanian or Sign Languages are especially encouraged to apply. There is an additional biweekly compensation for persons in positions designated bilingual. Qualified candidates may be tested to demonstrate language proficiency.

DESCRIPTION

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.

ALAMEDA COUNTY HEALTH

Alameda County Health is the local government agency that promotes and protects the health and well-being of all who live, work, learn, and play in Alameda County. We coordinate services and cultivate partnerships with community organizations and providers to help ensure access, organize, and deliver health care and services to people with Medi-Cal and without insurance, support resilient communities, and improve health for all. We focus on health equity by developing programs and systemic solutions that reduce disparities for the people and communities we serve.

Alameda County Health’s departments and programs focus on services and support that provide care for the whole person.

• The Behavioral Health Department provides mental health and substance use services for people with Medi-Cal and without insurance and supports people along their path to wellness, recovery, and resilience.
• The Environmental Health Department works to keep our air, water, and food safe; it regulates, protects, and promotes the health of everyone in Alameda County by enforcing environmental health codes to reduce exposure to toxins and diseases.
• The Public Health Department focuses on community and population-level health, preventing and addressing root causes of health inequity across a range of communicable and chronic diseases.
• Alameda County Health also provides services through Housing and Homelessness Services, Emergency Medical Services Agency, HealthPAC, and Healthy Schools and Communities.

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Environmental Protection Division (EP) : As part of Alameda County Health, the Environmental Health Department protects and enhances people’s health and quality of life by ensuring food and recreational safety, reducing exposure to toxins and diseases, and protecting the quality of our water, air, and environment. We are environmental protection specialists, food and recreation facilities inspectors, certified hazardous materials and waste specialists, recreational water quality technicians, land and water protection regulators, and vector control biologists.

THE VACANCY

The vacancies are located in the Vector Control division. Incumbents assigned to the Vector Control division are responsible for overseeing complaints from the public regarding vectors such as rodents, nuisance wildlife, and arthropods. Services provided include performing inspections, making recommendations, and educating complainants on vector biology, ecology, and behavior. In some cases, staff may work closely with local code enforcement or other health agencies. In addition, employees in this division participate in conducting field surveillance for disease-causing pathogens associated with various vectors. Vector control has a strong outreach program; we are involved in giving presentations at conferences, schools, special interest groups, and homeowners associations, and staffing booths at local fairs and other community events.

THE POSITION

Under the direction of the Supervising Vector Control Biologist and oversight of the Senior Vector Control Biologist, the Vector Control Biologist conducts inspections and investigations, disease surveillance and control, educational outreach and other related work as required, in an assigned geographical area within the Vector Control Services District; provides advice on Vector biology to the public and local code enforcement for property management in but not limited to bed bugs, fleas, flies, lice, mosquitoes, wasps, ticks, mites, rodents and nuisance wildlife; and participates in vector and vector-borne disease surveillance and research.

The Vector Control Biologist is the journey level class in the series and is assigned to the Vector Control Services Division of the Environmental Health Department. Incumbents are responsible for performing their duties in an assigned geographical area within the district in an independent manner. Vector Control Biologists work within a team under the leadership of a Senior Vector Control Biologist who is responsible for a wider area of geographic coverage. Positions in this class series are responsible for the assessment and prevention of Public Health nuisances in their assigned area; recommend effective and sustainable methods of preventing or controlling vectors or wildlife problems by methods compatible with Integrated Pest Management Program (IPM) practices; are well versed Federal and State Health and Safety Laws and local ordinances with regard to vermin and nuisance wildlife; and provide professional evaluations of vector biology for the local enforcement agencies empowered to enforce relevant laws and regulations and local ordinances that protect the public from disease vectors and nuisance pest problems.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

In addition to the minimum qualifications and knowledge and skills listed below, ideal candidates for this position will possess:

• Experience working in a vector control services program or environment and/or education or training in biology, zoology, entomology, or other related fields.
• Strong ability to gather, analyze and compile information and use logic to address work-related issues and problems.
• Outstanding organizational skills, including the ability to independently prioritize tasks and work on multiple projects simultaneously; assume responsibility and accountability for successfully completing assignments or task.
• Excellent customer service skills, principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Ability to develop and maintain liaisons and effective working relations with groups and individuals, agencies, and the public to encourage cooperative management strategies or to develop information and interpret findings.
• Adaptability to surroundings, comfortable working outdoors and in different types of environmental terrain.
• Ability to identify safety issues and problems; detect hazardous working conditions and safety problems; check equipment and/or work area regularly.
• Experience using various technological resources including electronic devices, software and data systems.
• Exceptional communication skills, both oral and written, and the ability to communicate effectively with diverse populations.

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

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

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


Education:

A 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, other earth sciences, or other closely related fields.

OR

Experience:

The equivalent of three years as a Vector Control Specialist/Technician in a private, public or other governmental agency.

Certificate:

Possession 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 within one year of initial appointment to the class.

License:

Valid California State Motor Vehicle Operator's license.

Vision:

Ability to distinguish primary colors in order to conduct dye tests. This ability will be tested during the County pre-employment physical examination.

Physical Ability:

Must be able to pull manhole utility access 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.

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

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.

The most suitably qualified candidates will possess the following competencies:

Knowledge of:

• Biology and ecology, vector-borne diseases, breeding places and habits of insects and animal vectors particularly rodents, including ecto-parasites such as but not limited to fleas, ticks, lice, as well as flies and cockroaches.
• Identifications of common vectors and nuisance wildlife.
• Methods of prevention and abatement of vector infestations, pesticide safety, personal protection, and hazards to non-target species.
• Scientific principles and procedures of conducting vector surveillance and control.
• General ecology of urban wildlife.
• Integrated Pest Management strategies for reducing/or eliminating vector populations and nuisance problems.
• Functions and goals of a public health department.
• Computer software applications (as applicable and required to the position).

Ability to:

• Safely handle and dissect rodents, collect laboratory specimens and ecto parasites.
• Obtain the voluntary cooperation of the public in vector prevention and control measures.
• Handle and place pesticides effectively and safely.
• Collect and compile field data, analyze information and summarize findings.
• Interpret and apply relevant laws and regulations.
• Work cooperatively and effectively with other staff, local agencies and the public.
• Read, write and communicate effectively. Prepare comprehensive reports and depositions that are required and used for legal expert witness.
• Speak clearly and able to provide public presentations and trainings to home owners, local agencies, other county agencies.
• Basic computer skills in using hand-held tablets to access data, “Request for Services”, and enter pesticide usages in the field and away from office.
• Work independently.

EXAMINATION COMPONENTS

The examination will consist of the following steps:

1) A review of candidates' applications to verify possession of minimum requirements. Those candidates who possess the minimum requirements for the classification will move on to the next step in the examination process.

2) A review of candidates' Supplemental Questionnaires to select the best qualified applicants. Those candidates selected as best qualified will move on to the next step in the examination process.

3), 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, hrs.alamedacountyca.gov .

RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION PLAN

Applicants will be informed via email with reasonable noticein 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 RECRUITMENT PLAN:

Deadline For Filing:

5:00:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Review of Minimum Qualifications

Review of Supplemental Questionnaire for Best Qualified

May 19, 2025

June 2-6, 2025

Virtual Pre-recorded Civil Service Oral Examination:

Virtual Oral Examination Ratings:

Results Notification:

Promulgation of Eligible List:

June 9-18, 2025

Week of June 23-27 , 2025

Week of July 7, 2025

July 23, 2025

TENTATIVE SELECTION PLAN:

Departmental Hiring Interviews:

TBD

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 , https://hrs.alamedacountyca.gov/reasonable-accommodation/

BENEFITS

The 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 employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall wellbeing. 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)
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• 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, Long-Term Care, 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

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• 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 summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three (3) days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to eight (8) days of management paid leave.

Conclusion

All notices related to County recruitments for which you have applied will be sent/delivered via email. Please add @jobaps.com , @acgov.org , nonreplyalamedacountyhr@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 boxes Noreply@jobaps.com and nonreplyalamedacountyhr@acgov.org , are routed to unmonitored mailboxes. If you have questions, please go to our website at hrs.alamedacountyca.gov . 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

hrs.alamedacountyca.gov

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.

Closing Date/Time: 5/14/2025 5:00:00 PM

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• County of Alameda

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