Pest Controller

Summary

The employee will serve as the Pest Controller at the Cincinnati VA Medical Center Environmental Management in Cincinnati, OH. The employee is responsible for implementing and carrying out a comprehensive Integrated Pest Management Program.

To qualify for this position, you must meet the following requirements. You should possess the ability to perform the work of a Pest Controller with minimal supervision. Training and experience should include:
- Identifying pests and locating the source of infestations.
- Determining appropriate control methods—physical or chemical—and sanitation measures.
- Removing and cleaning areas where deceased pests or rodents have been found.
- Mixing substances and applying pesticides per product label instructions.
- Setting various types of baits and traps.
- Using common hand and power tools to survey structures.
- Dispensing control agents for a wide variety of insects, vertebrate pests, plant pests, and weeds.
- Complying with health, safety, and environmental rules and procedures.

Additionally, you must have or be able to obtain licensure in the state of Ohio within 11 months of your start date. Physical effort requirements include lifting and handling materials weighing over 50 pounds, working in cramped or uncomfortable positions, frequent stooping, bending, kneeling, climbing, and working from heights exceeding 20 feet (e.g., using ladders or lifts). Work may be performed indoors or outdoors and may involve exposure to heat, cold, dust, mud, unpleasant odors, or limited ventilation.

The employee is required to wear appropriate safety equipment such as respirators, gloves, and other personal protective devices.

Applicants will be evaluated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualifications. Screening will determine eligibility based on required job elements, and qualified candidates will be rated against the remaining job elements.

• Conduct environment of care rounds to check for signs of pests or potential attractants.
• Identify pests, locate the source, and determine appropriate control method (physical or chemical) and sanitation needs.
• Remove and clean areas where dead pests—rodents and animal fowl—have been identified (e.g., attics, basements, light diffusers).
• Mix and apply pesticides according to specific product label instructions.
• Perform arithmetic calculations to determine rate, use, and quantity of pesticides.
• Adjust and operate manual and power spraying, fogging, dusting, and fumigating equipment.
• Select and set various types of baits and traps.
• Use common hand and power tools (hammers, electric drills, screwdrivers, wrenches) when surveying structures for infestations.
• Select and maintain pesticide par levels and equipment such as hand sprayers, fogging devices, power sprayers, dusters, and traps.
• Determine and dispense agents to control a wide variety of insects, vertebrate pests, plant pests, and weeds.
• Comply with health, safety, and environmental rules and procedures and work to enhance the safety of the environment.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.