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Position Title: Entomologist

Salary: Hourly: $36.78 || Annual: $76, 500

How to Apply:

Applications are submitted online until the position is filled and/or the posting is closed. After reviewing this job announcement, please click on the link at the bottom of the page to apply online. A resume is required with the application. Further instructions on submission of documents are available in the online application. A resume may not be substituted for an application.

Minimum Requirements:
  •  Four years of experience in field or laboratory entomology pest control work including two years in supervision/administration and graduation from a four-year college or university with major course work in entomology, zoology, or biology or a related major; 


AND 


  • A Master's Degree in biology, entomology or a closely related field; 


OR 


  • Any acceptable equivalent combination of experience and training. 


Necessary Special Requirement 

Possession of a valid automobile operator's license and the use of an automobile during working hours. You must be able to provide your own transportation to and from the various worksites throughout Allegheny County. You will be required to travel. 


Education & College Transcripts

If you are claiming college education to meet minimum requirements or as a part of your application, including supplemental questions, you must submit or attach a copy of your official college transcripts for your claim to be accepted. Unofficial Transcripts will not be accepted. 

Condition of Employment

It is the policy of Allegheny County that in order to receive a final offer of employment, candidates must successfully pass a background check, which includes verification of Allegheny County Real Estate Tax status, and drug/medical examinations as required for the position. The pre-employment drug screen must be completed within 48 hours of the acceptance of the conditional offer of employment.

Employment Type

  • Full-Time, Associate level
  • Position dependent on grant funding.


Relevant Experience

You will receive a score based on the experience you report on your application for employment. It is therefore important that you provide complete and accurate information. Failure to do so may delay the processing of your application or result in a lower than deserved score or disqualification. Call our Office of Human Resource Management if you have any questions.

Who is Eligible

Applications will be accepted from certified Merit System employees of the Allegheny County Health Department and outside candidates who possess the experience and training listed in this announcement and who are capable of performing the duties of this position.

Weights

  • Minimum Requirements - 50%
  • Relevant Skills & Certifications - 35%
  • Supplemental Questions - 15%


Supplemental Questions

Per the weights (above), the responses to these questions are a significant portion of how an application is scored and hold high value in screening candidates. For these pre-interview questions, in order to provide a thorough/full answer, a typical structure to an interview answer is recommended to be used, i.e. STAR approach (1. Situation/Setting, 2. Task(s) that you were tasked to do, 3. Actions which you took, 4. The result(s) of your actions).

You may upload as a Word document answers to the supplemental questions in the “Upload Page” of the application. Make sure to note “See attached” after the statement on the application form if you are attaching a separate document. If you are unable to upload the document, email to ACHD Human Resources Department.


  1. Please describe your experience with grant management and reporting.
  2. Please describe your experience in developing and delivering public presentations.
  3. Please describe your field work experience and how that has prepared you for this position.


Allegheny County Civil Service Employees (Non-ACHD)

Regular or probationary employees of County Departments currently in this classification, hired under a State Civil Service System, who apply for this position will not be considered as Open Competitive applicants. Those employees selected for transfer to the Allegheny County Health Department will be considered to have resigned their Civil Service status from the Department in which they are currently working and will be required to complete a probationary period with the Health Department.

Please refer to Instruction Sheet for proper completion of Allegheny County Employment Application Form.

This announcement may be modified, amended or canceled by the Allegheny County Health Department at any time.

Purpose

To establish open competitive and promotional eligible lists for use in making merit system appointments in the Allegheny County Health Department. The list will contain the names of successful candidates ranked in the order of final earned ratings. The list will be in effect for one (1) year unless previously exhausted or superseded.

In the ranking, open competitive applicants qualifying for Veteran’s Preference receive an additional ten points on the final earned rating. Form DD-214 must be attached to the application form for consideration for Veteran’s Preference. Determination of Veteran’s Preference is made in accordance with State Civil Service Policy.

If you are claiming veteran's preference, then proof of eligibility; DD-214 Form or other comparable military document must be submitted for initial claim. The document must show dates of entry and separation and character of service.

Credit for a degree or college coursework can only be accepted from an official transcript submitted directly from the college or university to Allegheny C0unty Health Department.

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

#INDSJ

Position Summary:

This is advanced administrative and supervisory work with technical aspects in the field of entomology as applied to a county-wide Environmental Health program.

An employee in this class directs, establishes and implements standards for a county-wide program involving field and laboratory work in the fields of entomology and vector control to assist in the identification, control and eradication of arthropods and invertebrates of public health importance. Work involves participation in projects involving insect control and involves identification of the vectors themselves as well as determining means of controlling them. Employees are responsible for grant management in relation to vector control activities and ensuring the program’s success in meeting all grant requirements. Employees engage in projects to identify sources of infestations and develop new control measures. Supervision may be exercised over professional and technical employees engaged in pest control, insect classification, or similar projects. Employees advise and consult with entomologists, industry representatives, and the public to inform, promote programs, and gather information. Work includes assisting and/or preparing written reports and publications on insect control and on environmentally safe methods to control vectors of public health importance. Work is performed with a high degree of independence under the general direction of a professional supervisor and is reviewed for conformance to departmental policies through reports, conferences and evaluation of results. 

Overview:

Fringe Benefits

  • Paid holidays, personal days, vacation and sick leave benefits, medical coverage and dental benefits, a retirement plan, life insurance and a deferred compensation plan after eligibility requirements have been met.


Perks Working for ACHD

  • Professional growth through training opportunities (CPR, First AID, Public Health Preparedness, Dignity and Respect, Points of Dispensing, and more); ability to advance in county system; job security; meaningfulness in daily work derived from public service; eligible for federal loan forgiveness; organizational commitment to ACHD’s mission to protect, promote, and preserve the health and well-being of all Allegheny County residents, particularly the most vulnerable.
Duties:

  • Directs, establishes, implements standards and maintains administrative/supervisory responsibility for a county-wide program in the field of Entomology. 
  • Performs field and laboratory work in vector control, identifies and assists in controlling vectors of public health importance. 
  • Responsible for the management of any grants related to vector control as well as ensuring the program’s success in meeting all applicable data collection and grant requirements.  
  • Assists and supervises in conducting training in the inspection and control of vectors of public health importance, conducts field work to develop new or improved control measures. 
  • Supervises and conducts projects to identify, control, or eradicate vectors of public health importance; performs experiments to identify carriers of disease; and develops methods and implements programs to control pests through biological, physical, and chemical controls. 
  • Performs identifications of arthropods of public health importance; studies life histories of certain insects and parasites and possible influence on public health; develops insect identification guides and published reports on findings. 
  • Compiles and analyzes entomological data and prepares written reports.
  • Performs related work as required. 
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

  • Knowledge of the principles and practices of the science of entomology. 
  • Knowledge of the methods and procedures used in the control of vectors of public health importance. 
  • Knowledge of methods of program, planning and organizing. 
  • Knowledge of the scientific research techniques and procedures used in the identification and control of vectors of public health importance. 
  • Knowledge of State and Federal rules and regulations governing the control of pests. 
Skill in:

  • Skill in the use of pest identification equipment. 
  • Insect Identification 
  • Pest Management 
  • Research and Data Analysis 
  • Ecological Research 
  • GIS and Mapping 
  • Analytical Thinking 
  • Communication Skills 
  • Attention to Detail 
  • Team Collaboration 
  • Problem solving 
Ability to:

  • Ability to develop administrative policy and procedure. 
  • Ability to compile and analyze technical data and prepare reports. 
  • Ability to plan, assign and review the work of technical and non-technical personnel. Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in writing. 
  • Ability to establish and maintain public interest and confidence in the vector control program.
  • Ability to travel to and from work locations to carry out the responsibilities of the position.  
  • Ability to conduct field work, surveillance, and field investigations in wetlands, forests, and other difficult to reach locations.  
  • Ability to respond to emergencies. 
Residency: Allegheny County within 1 year.
Veterans' Preference: Will be awarded to eligible candidates.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER - M/F/V/D


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