Spray Technician

Spray Technician
Classification Title: Spray Technician 1, C15
Location: 4100 118th Ave. N., Clearwater, FL 33762
Schedule: Tuesday - Friday; 6:30 AM - 5:00 PM (No remote work)
Apply to be a proud employee of the Pinellas County Public Works Mosquito Control and Vegetation Management team.
This is skilled technical work involving surveillance and control of aquatic and terrestrial weeds using Integrated Pest Management control methods and other eradication methods for weed/aquatic weed/invasive plant and pest control. Employees in this class have the primary duties of applying chemicals, following approved techniques, to maintain effective control of vegetation and prevent damage to adjacent vegetation or harm to animal or marine life. Duties include performing maintenance associated with spraying activities, instructing or leading employees assigned to assist in overall spray or other departmental operations.
Our benefits rank among the top in the area!

• Comprehensive medical coverage at a low cost:

2024 Medical Plan Premiums
Choose from two medical plans which offer the same low premiums and include medical care, prescription coverage, behavioral/mental health and vision care.
Coverage
Biweekly Cost
Employee Only
$13.09
Employee and Spouse or Domestic Partner
$151.16
Employee and Child(ren)
$120.60
Family
$247.67

• Benefits package includes health, vision, prescription, dental, life insurance, disability, and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options
• Florida Retirement System (FRS): Choose the Investment Plan or Pension Plan
• Generous leave time including 9 to 11 paid holidays, 2 floating holidays, 2 personal days (pro-rated), and 15 days of annual leave the first year
• Tuition reimbursement up to $2,800 per year
• Wellness Program including a Wellness Center, gym discounts, and classes.
• Deferred compensation plans from four providers
• To learn more, see What We Offer

Essential Job Functions

• This position requires working outdoors most of the work day, performing physical labor, exposure to elements (heat, rain) and encountering wildlife (snakes, alligators).
• Operates chemical spray equipment, utilizing proper abatement techniques.
• Performs chemical/mechanical control of aquatic weed/invasive plant in mitigation areas.
• Determines appropriate time and schedule for spraying based on growth season characteristics, condition of water and/or soil to be treated, weather conditions, wind and other variables.
• Selects and mixes appropriate chemical agents considering infestation, environment and vegetation.
• Operates spray equipment using proper application techniques and procedures.
• Operates and maintains equipment used in chemical treatment operations including trucks, boats, motors and various types of spray apparatus.
• Coordinates the activities of volunteer personnel as needed within the section or department.
• Performs related work as assigned or required.

Position Specific Requirements

• At least 1 year experience in weed and/or pest control spraying or abatement, industrial or commercial chemical spraying; or
• Associate's degree or 2 year vocational or technical trades certification or diploma in Agriculture, Horticulture or related field; or
• Bachelor's or higher-level degree in Agriculture, Horticulture or related field; or
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience.
• Possession and maintenance of a valid State of Florida Driver's License upon hire with eligibility based upon evaluation of a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) driving report.
• As a condition of employment:
  • must obtain and maintain Core, Florida Public or Commercial Restricted Use Pesticide Applicators license with certification in Aquatic Weed Control Control within 1 year of hire date.
  • must obtain and maintain a Temporary Traffic Control (TCC) (formerly Maintenance of Traffic (MOT)) certification within 1 year of hire date.
  • must obtain a Florida Public or Commercial Restricted Use Pesticide Applicators license with certification in the following categories within 3 years of hire date:
    • Florida Public Health Pest Control License
• Assignment to work a variety of work schedules including compulsory work periods in special, emergency, and/or disaster situations including but not limited to working either during or immediately after hurricanes, and work overtime if needed for storms, mosquito outbreaks, and out of the ordinary circumstances. Which may include routinely working on weekends and holidays.

Highly Desirable

• Possession and maintenance of Core, Aquatics and Public Health License.
• Experience calibrating spray equipment.
• Possession of TTC certification.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to read a map book or use a GPS.
• Ability to operate a boat.
• Ability to drive off road.

Physical/Mental Demands
This work requires exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required:

• Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing or crouching on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces. The amount of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.
• Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. Body agility is emphasized.
• Crawling: Moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet.
• Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
• Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.
• Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling.
• Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
• Handling: Picking, holding, or otherwise working, primarily with the whole hand.
• Kneeling: Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.
• Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.
• Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.
• Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward, or outward.
• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Visual ability: Sufficient to effectively operate office equipment including copier, computer, etc.; and to read and write reports, correspondence, instructions, etc.
• Hearing ability: Sufficient to hold a conversation with other individuals both in person and over a telephone; and to hear recording on transcription device.
• Speaking ability: Sufficient to communicate effectively with other individuals in person and over a telephone.
• Mental acuity: Ability to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes.
• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Repetitive motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers.
• Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time.
• Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires full motion of the lower extremities and back muscles.
• Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.
• Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires full motion of the lower extremities and back muscles.
• Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in a dynamic environment that requires sensitivity to change and responsiveness to changing goals, priorities, and needs.

This position has supplemental questions. If unable to complete all questions, you may save your answers as a draft during the application process and return at any time prior to the closing date. Please note that the application is complete upon final submission.