This non-permanent position is anticipated to last up to three (3) months.

To learn more about the Division of Environmental Public Health, visit http://www.doh.wa.gov/AboutUs/ProgramsandServices/EnvironmentalPublicHealth.aspx

To learn more about the Office of Environmental Health Public Health Sciences, visit
http://www.doh.wa.gov/AboutUs/ProgramsandServices/EnvironmentalPublicHealth/EnvironmentalPublicHealthSciences.

Agency Profile

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) works with federal, state, tribal, and local partners to help protect and improve the health of people in Washington. Our programs and services help prevent illness and injury, promote healthy places to live and work, provide education to help people make good health decisions and ensure our state is prepared for emergencies. DOH recognizes that employees are its most valuable resource. We trust them to be innovative, challenge existing processes, and make the best decisions. We strive to hire, develop, and retain a competent and diverse workforce. To learn more about DOH, visithttp://www.doh.wa.gov.

Primary Duties

This position helps protect and enhance the health of the people of Washington State by carrying out mosquito collection activities for the Zoonotic Disease Program. Mosquitoes are a major vector of disease and vector mosquitoes that are collected will be tested for West Nile (WN) virus.

With oversight from the Zoonotic Disease Program’s Field Surveillance Coordinator and Public Health Entomologist, this position performs adult mosquito surveillance and collection activities at a variety of sites within the state, identifies mosquitoes to species, pools and tests vector mosquitoes for WN virus using the Rapid Analyte Measurement Platform (RAMP) system, and enters surveillance data into spreadsheets for reporting results to partners and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This position also provides assistance with dead bird surveillance calls and issues, assists with coordinating and distributing surveillance supplies and equipment to partners, and communicates regularly with surveillance partners via phone and email.

Required Qualifications
NOTE:  Experience may have been gained concurrently.

• A Bachelor’s degree or higher in Entomology, Biology, Environmental Health, Wildlife Biology, or a closely allied field; which MUST include one (1) or more quarter(s) of undergraduate fieldwork collecting environmental samples and associated data; OR three (3) or more months of equivalent work experience.

• Basic-level experience using MS Word, intermediate-level experience using MS Excel; as well as demonstrated experience using MS Outlook and the internet.

The DOH is most interested in applicants who possess the following competencies: 

• Detail oriented – ensures mosquito sampling is conducted consistently according to surveillance protocols and data is tracked and entered into spreadsheets correctly.
• Time management – manages time efficiently to ensure that daily and weekly surveillance tasks are completed and communication with project partners is conducted in a timely manner.
• Effective Team Player – works closely with surveillance team and partners to achieve project goals and timelines.
• Results oriented – focuses on achieving desired project outcomes and takes initiative to help the project meet those outcomes.
• Works Independently – works with minimal supervision, makes sound decisions on safety risks and work-related issues while working at field sites and when traveling.

Conditions of Employment/Working Conditions

With or without an accommodation, I am:

• Willing and able to work, both in an office setting and field environment.

• Willing and able to legally operate a state or privately owned vehicle OR provide alternative transportation.

• Willing and able to independently travel to field sites and set and pick up mosquito traps; which may occasionally require overnight stays.

• Willing and able to work in a variety of outdoor conditions and habitats while conducting mosquito surveillance.

• Willing and able to negotiate wet and/or uneven terrains, and maintain safety awareness and precautions.

• Willing and able to handle live mosquitoes.

• Willing and able to safely handle dry ice.

• Willing and able to use a dissecting scope to identify mosquito specimens to species.

• Willing and able to test mosquitoes for presence of West Nile virus using the Rapid Analyte Measurement Platform (RAMP) system.

• Willing and able to work 40 hours per week, 8 hours per day, which may include occasionally working a flexible schedule and occasionally working in excess of 40 hours per week and/or adjusting your normally scheduled hours to meet the mosquito surveillance needs.

• Willing and able to move or transport materials and objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

Note:  This position is covered by an “Agency Shop” provision.  Therefore, as a condition of employment, the incumbent of this position must either join the union and pay union dues, or pay the union a representational or other fee within 30 days of the date you are placed into pay status.

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is an equal opportunity employer.  DOH strives to create a working environment that is inclusive and respectful.  It is our policy to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or disability in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of our workforce.  Applicants wishing assistance or alternative formats in the process should contact Cher Williams at (360) 236-4545, Cher.Williams@doh.wa.gov or TDD Relay at 1-800-833-6384 or 7-1-1.

Application Process

Individuals interested in applying for this position should select the “Apply” button and submit the following:

1. A current and detailed applicant profile.
2. Three (3) or more professional references (to be included in your applicant profile).  Please include at least one supervisor, peer, and if you’ve supervised other staff, a subordinate.
3. Responses to the Supplemental Questions.

Only applicants who follow the directions and complete the Application Process and Supplemental Questions in-full will have their responses reviewed for consideration.

NOTE:  Education and experience selected, listed and/or detailed in the Supplemental Questions must be verifiable on the detailed applicant profile submitted.