Vector Control Manager

THIS IS A NEW ASSEMBLED EXAMINATION.  The eligible list resulting from this examination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year, but can be extended.

Application and Supplemental Questionnaire:  A properly completed Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted with each application.  Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing. Failure to submit the Supplemental Questionnaire will result in disqualification. Applications will only be accepted on-line.

THE AGENCY
The Mission of the Health Care Services Agency is to provide fully integrated health care services through a comprehensive network of public and private partnerships that ensure optimal health and well-being and respect the diversity of all residents. The Agency’s major services include Behavioral Health Care, Environmental Health, and Public Health programs; primary care services via community-based organization (CBO) contracts, and health care services for all County residents qualifying as medically indigent, as well as Health Care Administration. To read more about the department, please visit their website at: http://www.acgov.org/health.

THE POSITION
Under direction of the Chief, Vector Control Services District, the Vector Control Manager provides supervision and guidance for the Supervising Vector Control Biologists and Senior Vector Control Biologists and Vector Control Biologists for the County Vector Control Services District; assists the Chief in the overall administration of the District; assists in managing and developing all vector control programs; provides technical expertise in the field of vector control and vector-borne disease and surveillance; consults with staff on policy and current pest management practices, and environmental related matters; performs other duties as required.

THE VECTOR CONTROL PROGRAM

The mission of the Vector Control Services District is to prevent and minimize the spread of vector-borne diseases, injury and discomfort to the residents of Alameda County. Upon request, our Vector Control staff will provide an on-site inspection of your property, neighborhood, or community and evaluate the best methods to control the particular vector through habitat modifications, source reductions, education, integrated pest management practices, and regulatory code compliance.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications, the ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience working in a vector control services program or environment. Recent training and education in medical entomology and experience in the design planning of vector control laboratories, are highly desirable. Critical attributes to success of the Vector Control Manager are:

• Strong ability to think strategically, determine long-term goals and then identify the best approach to achieve those goals.
• Knowledge and understanding of vector borne diseases including rabies, Lyme disease, West Nile virus and yellow fever; experienced in surveillance control of mosquito viruses, rodent borne diseases and urban wildlife management.
• Outstanding organizational skills, including the ability to independently prioritize tasks and work on multiple projects simultaneously and be able to provide status updates on projects at a moment’s  notice. 
•  Demonstrated expertise in successful team-building and staff leadership by developing direction and structure for subordinates to facilitate accomplishment of identified goals. Experienced in leading employees through change and managing resistance through professional development.
• Solid experience in managing work groups by instructing and advising subordinates, assigning and delegating workload, and tracking and evaluating performance.
• Strong background in program management, development and outreach, experience developing programs surrounding environmental issues is highly desirable. 
•   Exceptional communication skills, both oral and written, and the ability to communicate effectively with diverse populations.

Education:

A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year college or university (180 quarter units or 120 semester units) in Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, Environmental Health, Integrated Pest Management or closely related Health Sciences field is required. Examples of related fields include but are not limited to Microbiology, Entomology, Toxicology, Integrated Biology, other earth sciences, or other closely related fields.

AND

Experience:

The equivalent of two years of experience as a Supervising Vector Control Biologist in Alameda County classified service (non-classified includes District Attorney’s Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts)

OR

The equivalent of four years of full-time professional-level experience in pest management, vector surveillance and/or control. This experience must have included program responsibility in program developing, planning and supervising. At least one year of supervisory experience is required.

Certification:

Possession of a California State Certificate as a Public Health Vector Control Technician specializing in Mosquito Control, Terrestrial Invertebrate Vector Control, and Vertebrate Vector Control is required at the time of appointment.

Licenses:

Must possess a valid California driver's license.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Examples of Duties" section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Management principles and practices, including work planning and employee supervision.
• Principles and practices of vector surveillance and control.
• Principles of Integrated Pest Management practice, and environmental health issues that related to
   vectors and nuisance species.
• General knowledge of current laboratory methods to support surveillance programs.
• Principles of public administration, financial analysis and report writing.
• Computer software, applications and hardware related to the work environment.
• Principles of budget, contract administration and interpreting financial records.
• Office administrative practices and procedures, including records management and the operation
   of office equipment.

Ability to:

• Provide oversight and supervision to an established vector control program.
• Plan, supervise, review and evaluate the work of others, either directly or through subordinate
   supervision.
• Prepare clear and accurate reports, correspondence, procedures, policies and other written
   materials.
• Represent the department and the County in meetings with varied groups and organizations.
• Organize and prioritize work in order to meet critical deadlines.
• Exercise tact, sensitivity and sound independent judgment when communicating with staff,
   general public and other governmental agencies.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, general public and other
  governmental agencies.

THE EXAMINATION WILL CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING STEPS: 1) A review of candidates' applications to verify possession of minimum requirements. Those candidates who possess the minimum requirements for the class will move on to the next step in the examination process. 2) A review of candidates’ Supplemental Questionnaires to select the best qualified applicants to continue in the process. 3) An oral interview which will be weighted as 100% of the candidate's final examination score. The oral interview may contain situational exercises.  CANDIDATES MUST ATTAIN A QUALIFYING RATING ON EACH PORTION OF THIS EXAMINATION. 

                 ***We reserve the right to make changes to the announced examination components***

Alameda County utilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit.  Such a system is competitive and based on broad recruitment efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to test in an examination process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position.  Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the needs of a current vacant position, in which case, the eligible list may be exclusively used for that current vacant position.  Other recruitments many be more broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate jobs with comparable scopes of work.

To learn more about our recruitment and selection process, please visit the “What You Need to Know” section of our website, www.acgov.org/hrs.

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Welfare Benefits

• Medical – HMO & PPO Insurance
• Dental – PPO & DHMO Insurance  
• Vision
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage) 
• County Allowance (Employer Credit)
• Health Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Accident, Critical Illness & Hospital Indemnity
• Long Term Care Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Short-term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan – (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan

For your Work/Life Balance

• 11 paid holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Group Auto/Home Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Group Legal
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.