Pest Controller

Summary This 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. Learn more about this agency Duties 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 authorize Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved 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 To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. License/Certification Requirement: Must possess a valid State of California Pesticide Applicator Certification, to include Categories A and B. Also must possess or be willing to obtain within 12 months of selection, a category K, Health Related certification. Please submit a copy of your license/certification for credit. Do not upload copies that contain photos. -AND- 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: 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. Related experience includes but is not limited to: pest-related work through prior roles such as custodial duties, facility/grounds support, agricultural labor, or general maintenance; possession of skills such as safe chemical handling, equipment operation, or environmental sanitation practices.(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: Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal SupervisionAbility to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Other Than Blueprint Reading)Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and EquipmentDexterity and SafetyKnowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, and Repair, etc.Knowledge of MaterialsTechnical Practices (Theoretical, Precise, Artistic)Use of Measuring Instruments 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. 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. Expand Hide  additional information Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.