About this role
Job SummaryThis position serves as a Pest Controller in support of the Office of the Chief of Environmental Management Service at the San Francisco VA Health Care System (SFVAHCS). The primary purpose of the position involves maintaining an integrated pest management program for the facility, with the primary emphasis being Institutional and Public Health pest control.
QualificationsTo qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. This position includes Selective Placement Factors (skill, knowledge, ability or other worker characteristic basic to - and essential for - satisfactory performance of the job). Selective Placement Factors are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position. Applicants who do not meet it are ineligible for further consideration. The Selective Placement Factors for this position are: A State Certification in the following areas: public health, structural and ornamental insect and disease control. This certification ensures your knowledge of the regulations using chemical agents as set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency, State, and local authorities. (Note: To receive credit, this information must be supported by your resume. If referred for interview, a copy of your certification will be required at that time) A current, valid state-issued Driver's License is required for this position. NOTE: We cannot accept photographs, therefore; please do not submit a copy of your license with your application package. If an interview is requested, you will be required to provide a copy of your current, valid state-issued Driver's License. -AND- SCREEN-OUT: Requires the ability to do the work of the Pest Controller position without more than normal supervision based on your training/experience. The work includes independently working with a wide variety of insect, vertebrate, and plant pests including those pests that are difficult to locate; utilizing a suitable and approved pest inspection plan of all buildings, structures and plants; reading and understanding pesticide/insecticide labels; utilizing spraying and dusting equipment; completing assigned facility grounds maintenance duties; and assisting in housekeeping operations. (Resume must clearly support this experience to receive credit.) PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The incumbent is required to perform landscape work which requires the full use of both hands and arms. The work requires the expenditure of high degree of physical and mental effort in operating, repairing, and maintaining vehicles and machinery with care to prevent damage to machinery, tools, materials, and injury to others; the preparation and utilization of sod, flower beds, and various other pieces of equipment. Incumbent shall be physically fit and mentally alert at all times. Mental abilities are needed, such as memory, judgement, and ingenuity. Mental application is required (e.g., in planning and laying out work, in maintaining alertness and concentrated attention, or because of the nature of muscular and visual coordination needed). This position requires sitting for long periods operating mowers and equipment. The incumbent frequently climbs ladders to prune trees, and frequently lifts objects such as bags of fertilizer, grass seed, etc., weighing as much as 100 lbs. The gardening and tree farm tasks require considerable walking, stooping, climbing and lifting, kneeling, bending, squatting, carrying, and reaching over/under. Physical effort includes pulling, pushing, and steadying objects of varying weights, sizes, and shapes. Strain related to lack of movement such as standing in place, crouching or stooping for extended periods of time. Work may require working in confined spaces such as manholes, vaults, building basements and crawl spaces. Works on equipment whiles in cramped or awkward positions. Incumbent must work off ladders, scaffolds and platforms. WORKING CONDITIONS: The incumbent is exposed to weather extremes of hot and cold, both indoors and outdoors. Is exposed to weather conditions for extended hours. The incumbent is exposed to infectious hazards, chemicals, hazardous materials, gases/fumes, and the possibility of burns, infection, scrapes, and broken bones. Incumbent is subject to insect bites and stings and exposure to poisonous plants such as poison Ivy and poison oak. Incumbent is exposed to hazardous moving parts when operating electrical and gasoline powered equipment and is exposed to noise and vibration. Incumbent is subject to strains, bruises, cuts, and/or severe injuries if extreme caution is not used during all work; works with noisy equipment. The incumbent shall wear appropriate Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) such as safety goggles, safety shoes, gloves, hard hats, hearing protection, protective clothing and use respirators as required in the performance of the duties of position at all times. Incumbent shall wear personal protective equipment and a standard respirator as required by his/her supervisor. The incumbent to this position may be required to use respiratory personal protective equipment per OSHA 2920.134. As such, the incumbent shall remove facial hair as necessary and use a standard respirator to successfully perform a respirator fit test as conducted by the Safety Section. Hazards in working above ground level, on slippery surfaces such as mud, ice or snow, or in crowded areas near moving vehicles or cutting tools. Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualifications. For this position, the job element method is used to match what you, the applicant, can do against what the work calls for. Your knowledge, skills and abilities will be compared to the knowledge, skills and abilities (called job elements) needed for success. Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element (WG-2 and higher only; screen-outs are not applicable to WG-1). Applicants who appear to meet the screen out element are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated from consideration. The potential eligibles are rated against the remainder of the job elements. While a specific length of training and experience is not required, your responses to the questionnaire must be supported by detailed descriptions of your experience on your resume. You will be rated on the following Job Elements as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Dexterity and Safety Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading) Materials Measuring Instruments Technical Practices Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Without more than normal supervision IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Major Duties*This announcement has been updated to extend the closing date.* Major duties and responsibilities include: Independently works with a wide variety of insect, vertebrate, and plant pests including those pests that are difficult to locate. Utilizes acceptable and safe Integrated Pest Management principles so that the public risk is decreased. Utilizes a suitable and approved pest inspection plan of all buildings, structures and plants. Monitors contractor quality and progress. Utilizes a broad knowledge of pesticide toxicity, chemical solutions, and baits, as well as knowledge of the physical characteristics, lifecycles, and feeding habits of a wide variety of pests. Utilizes knowledge and deployment methods of insect growth. Reads and understands pesticide/insecticide labels to include: the common name of pesticides applied, pest(s) to be controlled, timing and methods of application, safety precautions, and skilled in any specific disposal methods. Utilizes spraying and dusting equipment which requires: 1) using appropriate formulas and guidelines to ensure proper balance of pesticides and 2) the selection of equipment and setting of controls to allow for wind, terrain and pest population conditions. Completes assigned maintenance of facility grounds duties. Empties and monitors all trash receptacles on the grounds and removes any trash found on the ground. Assists in housekeeping operations during tour of duty and carrying out all duties assigned by Housekeeping supervisory staff as they relate to the sanitation and cleanliness of the hospital. Provides administrative assistance to Environmental Care Chief and Supervisors regarding document preparation and supply requests and tracking. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 8:00am-4:30pm Including Weekends Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approvedRequirementsYou must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Pre-employment physical required Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT: New employees must obtain within 60 days a current California Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certificate if your current certificate is in another State. This is a requirement of the position and certification requirements are non-reimbursable.