The Pest Controller Helper position is assigned to Environmental Management Service, Alexandria VA Health Care System, VISN 16, Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Department of Veterans Affairs, Pineville, LA.

Duties

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following: Work involves identification of pests, locating the source and determining appropriate control method: either physical or chemical and sanitation needs to achieve the most effective results. Selects and maintains pesticide PAR levels and equipment used in operations such as hand sprayers, fogging devices, power sprayers, dusters, and traps.(i.e., removes and cleans areas where dead pests, rodents, and animal fowl have been identified, such as attics, basements, light diffusers, etc.) (such as most common pests encountered include ants, roaches, various flies, millipedes, bed bugs, rats and mice and a variety of ornamental insects, diseases and unwanted plant growth, less commonly recognized, hard to find and control pests such as termites, beetles and moths in stored products.) Conducts Environment of Care Rounds to check for signs of pests, or things which may attract pests. Completes administrative records which document the target pest treated, date of treatment, pesticides used, application methods, etc. and other applicable logs or records as required. Locates the source and determines appropriate control method; either physical or chemical and sanitation needs to achieve the most effective results. Protects the information from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion; and (2) following applicable regulations and instruction regarding access to computerized files, release of access codes, etc. as set forth in the Computer Access Notice and VA policy memoranda. Work Schedule: Monday -Friday; 7:00am - 3:30pm; *subject to change based on the needs of the facility.* Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized

Requirements

Qualifications

This position includes a Selective Placement Factor (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 Factor for this position is Certification: Having or are you able to attain and Louisiana Department of Agriculture "Public Pesticide Applicator License", in compliance with CFR Title 40 and any State or Local requirement or other accredited sources? (This Certification will be required in two categories: "I.I.H.S. General Pest Control" and "Public Health" or the equivalent. Certification in "Regulatory Weed Control" and "Ornamental and Turf - Herbicide" is also beneficial, but not required.) ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to meet the requirements of this position. The English Language proficiency statement appears as on the Assessment Questionnaire. PHYSICAL EFFORT: ThePest Controllers Helper often lift and handle materials weighing over twenty-three (23 kilograms), fifty (50 pounds) and carry chemical solutions and equipment weighing up to eighteen (18 kilograms), forty (40 pounds) for extended periods. They occasionally work in cramped and inconvenient surroundings requiring manipulation of equipment in awkward positions for prolonged periods. Work frequently requires standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, climbing, and working in tiring and uncomfortable positions for extended periods. They may move small pieces of furniture and carry ladders. AND WORK CONDITIONS: The Pest Control Helper has some knowledge but will be instructed by an experienced Pest Controller both inside and outside. When working outside, pest control workers are often exposed to hot sun for extended periods of time and occasionally to bad weather. Outside work may be done in marsh areas or under hot and dusty conditions for extended periods. Inside work is often accomplished in structural areas with minimum ventilation and/or limited access. The Pest Control Helper will work with premixed substances under the instruction of the Pest Controller and apply pesticides while wearing respirators, gloves, and other personal protective equipment designed to nullify the risk of exposure to toxic dust and sprays which might damage their health. Damage to health may occur if appropriate safety procedures are not followed. Discomfort may be experienced while wearing protective clothing, respirators, goggles, or face masks for extended periods of time. The Pest Control Helper may be exposed to poisonous insects, reptiles, and plants and to wild and rabid animals. 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 SafetyInterpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading)MaterialsMeasuring InstrumentsTechnical PracticesUse and Maintain Tools and EquipmentWithout 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.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Contacts

• Address Alexandria VA Medical Center 2495 Shreveport Highway Pineville, LA 71360 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]