Summary The employee will serve as the Pest Controller at the Amarillo VA Health Care System in Amarillo, TX. The employee is responsible for implementing and carrying out a comprehensive Integrated Pest Management Program. Responsibilities Duties include, but may not be limited to the following: Conduct environment of care rounds to check for signs of pests or things which may attract pests. Identify pests, locate the source and determine appropriate control method (either physical or chemical) and sanitation needs to achieve the most effective results. Remove and clean areas where dead pests, rodents and animal fowl have been identified, such as attics, basements, light diffusers, etc. Mix and apply pesticides using specific product label instructions. Perform arithmetic calculations to determine rate, use and quantity of pesticides. Adjust various manuals and power operated spraying, fogging, dusting and fumigating equipment. Select and set various @types of baits and traps. Use common hand and power tools such as hammers, electric drills, screw drivers and wrenches when surveying structures for infestations. Selects and maintain pesticide par levels and equipment used in operations 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 perform work in a manner that enhances the safety of the work environment. Perform other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00 am - 3:30 pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. 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 To qualify for this position, you must meet the following requirements. Specialized Experience: Identifying pests, locating the source and determining the appropriate control method; removing and cleaning areas where dead pests, rodents and animal fowl have been identified; mixing substances and applying pesticides; setting various @types of baits and traps; using common hand and power tools; dispensing agents to control a wide variety of insects, vertebrate pests, plant pests and weeds; and complying with health, safety and environmental rules and procedures. And Occupational Licensure requirement: You must have or be able to obtain licensure in the state of Texas within 11 months of your start date. PHYSICAL EFFORT: The employee may lift and handle materials weighing over 50 pounds and carry chemical solutions weighing up to 50 pounds for extended periods. The employee may work in cramped and uncomfortable positions. Frequent stooping, bending, kneeling, climbing and working in uncomfortable conditions will be encountered. The employee will move furniture, equipment, etc., as part of the treatment process. The employee will have to crawl into areas that are not normally accessed by staff or human beings in order to inspect and treat areas properly. The employee may use ladders or lifts and will frequently work from heights exceeding 20+ feet, e.g. removing pests such as bees from trees or buildings, pests in the roofing, etc. WORK CONDITIONS: The employee may complete assignments indoors or outdoors. The employee may encounter heat, cold, dust, mud, unpleasant odors, etc. The employee may be exposed to areas with minimal ventilation and/or limited access. The employee is required to wear necessary safety equipment (i.e., respirators, gloves and other personal protective devices) while completing and preparing all applications. 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 (includes 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. 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.
