Summary Employee will serve as a Pest Controller assigned to Environmental Management Services located at the Mid-Atlantic Veterans Health Care Network in Durham, NC. Responsibilities The primary purpose of the Pest Controller position is to prevent and control the entrance of pests and predators and eradicate infestations within all facilities. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a preventative, long-term, low toxicity means of controlling pests. Duties will include, but may not be limited to: Plans, implements, and carries out a comprehensive IMP Program. Conducts inspections of buildings and grounds. Develops survey and treatment schedules for areas and selects materials and equipment to apply insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, germicides, etc. Collects and identifies common pests, e.g., ants, flies, mosquitoes, cockroaches, mice, rats, birds, and seasonal pests e.g., mites, fleas, ticks, lawn garden pests, and termites. Utilizes suitable IPM control methods to reduce and control hazards to public health, stored products, structures, and vegetation. Locates and identifies pests in stored products; determines the appropriate pesticide toxicity, chemical solutions, baits, physical characteristics, lifecycles, and feeding habits associated with a wide variety of pests; and plans and carries out appropriate pest control measures. Maintains data on infestations, @type of treatment applied, results achieved, and existing conditions which may encourage infestation. Uses, maintains, and calibrates pest control equipment. Must understand potential environmental consequences precipitated by weather; @types of terrain, soil or other substrate; drainage patterns; and presence of wildlife and nontarget organisms. Coordinates work with the Infection Control Nurse and other people in the Medical Center and advises on preventative measures such as housekeeping requirements and removal/elimination of pest hiding areas. Makes pest control troubleshooting inspections and recommendations on an as needed basis at the outpatient clinics, residential homes, and other off station properties used by the VA. Completes required reports and records to meet all regulatory agency requirements. Follows all Federal, State, Local, and Medical Center directives that are pertinent to an effective Integrated Pest Management Program. Perform other duties as necessary. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Condition of Employment: New employees are required to obtain within 60 days a current North Carolina 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. Requirements Conditions of Employment You 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 dentification 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. Qualifications SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR (SCREEN-OUT) - A Selective Placement Factor (SPF) has been identified for this position. Selective Placement Factors (SPF) are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for the position. Applicants who do not meet the SPF are ineligible for further consideration. The SPF for this position is: Requires a current Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certificate. (This requirement must be supported by your resume and will be verified if interviewed OR provide a copy of the certification with your application.) AND SCREEN-OUT: Requires the ability to perform the work as a Pest Controller without more than normal supervision. Qualifying experience includes: identifying common and seasonal pests by sight, physical characteristics, habits, hiding areas and independently determining appropriate pest measures; selecting and mixing approved pesticides and chemicals; applying pesticides in accordance with instructions and warnings; and storing, handling and disposing of all pesticides and containers as required by all local, state, and federal regulations. (Note: To receive credit, resume(s) must support the qualifying experience and responses provided to the online questionnaire, with detailed documentation of the duties you have performed in the positions you have held.) PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS: Pest Controller may lift and handle materials weighing over 50 pounds and carry chemical solutions up to 40 pounds for extended periods. May work in cramped or uncomfortable positions. Position involves frequent stooping, bending, kneeling, climbing, and working in uncomfortable conditions may be encountered. May move furniture, equipment, etc., as part of the treatment process. May work indoors or outdoors, and may encounter heat, cold, dust, dirt, mud, unpleasant odors, etc. May be exposed to areas with minimal ventilation and/or limited access. Employee is required to wear necessary safety equipment (i.e., respirators, gloves, other personal protective devices) while completing and preparing all applications. May need to respond and/or on-call 24 hours a day for emergencies to prevent loss in service and/or delay in patient care. 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 Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading) Materials 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. Education Additional Information Note: Per "Executive Order 14251: Exclusions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs", this position is no longer eligible for bargaining unit participation. Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
