Insectary Technician

We are seeking a dependable and detail-oriented individual to support the day-to-day operations of our insectary activities. This position plays an important role in maintaining mosquito colonies, producing mosquitoes for laboratory bioassays and field validations, assisting with research activities, and supporting mosquito collection and rearing efforts. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in both laboratory and field environments, committed to following established protocols and safety procedures, and able to communicate professionally with coworkers and the public.

Position Summary: 

Maintains Field Validation and Arboviral Laboratories mosquito colonies and District’s mosquito fish program, establishes new strains of mosquito species in colony when needed for testing and evaluation, produces mosquito larvae for Public Information & education classes, and assists the FVAL staff in conducting operational research and development of mosquito control methods and products.

Essential Functions:

• Assists the FVAL Manager in the performance of her/his duties
• Maintains colonies of a variety of mosquito species for use in bioassays of new products, formulations, and PI&E for classroom teaching exercises
• Produces colony larval or adult mosquitoes for field validations as needed
• Maintains field collected larvae, to allow proper development in preparation for larval and adult bioassays following established protocols
• Communicates with Aerial inspectors and Mosquito Control Biologist II on a regular basis regarding 1st or 2nd instar mosquito larvae breeding sites
• Collects 2nd instar mosquito larvae from the field and transfers them to the larval insectary
• Participates in leading tours of the insectary and outreach events relevant to insectary operations
• Maintains mosquito fish, including cleaning tanks, feeding fish, and restocking the population as needed
• Records data in laboratory notebooks and enters data into project databases
• Performs a variety of maintenance duties as needed to keep insectary operational
• Purchases supplies and maintain vendor records pertaining to insectary operations
• Assists in field validation activities and research
• Responsible for completing his/her timecard on a daily basis
• Responsible for submitting all Time-Off Requests as soon as he/she knows they will be absent, late or leaving early
• Responsible for ensuring timecard is correct and approved by 8:00 a.m. on payroll Mondays
• Refuels and washes vehicle at the end of the shift
• Communicates with the public in a professional and courteous manner and refers all inquiries outside area of expertise to the most appropriate person at the District
• Follows District Safety policies and procedures and complies with all local, state and federal regulations at all times
• Ensures that all assigned equipment is maintained and repaired as needed
• Regular and predictable attendance is essential
• Other duties and projects as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Biology, Entomology, Environmental Science, Microbiology, or a closely related biological science field; or an equivalent combination of education and directly related professional experience
• Demonstrated experience with insect rearing, arthropod husbandry, laboratory animal care, or maintenance of biological colonies, preferably involving mosquitoes or other insects
• Working knowledge of insect life cycles, development, reproduction, environmental requirements, and basic laboratory rearing practices
• Experience following established laboratory protocols, standard operating procedures, and quality-control procedures when maintaining biological colonies and conducting laboratory activities
• Ability to accurately collect, identify, handle, transfer, rear, and maintain mosquito larvae and adults according to established protocols
• Ability to maintain accurate laboratory records, colony records, experimental data, and electronic databases
• Basic proficiency with computers and common office/laboratory data-entry software
• Ability to recognize and respond to colony health, development, contamination, mortality, or other conditions that may affect mosquito production or laboratory testing
• Must be comfortable working in high heat and humidity and around mosquitoes, other insects, biological organisms, and chemicals in accordance with established safety procedures
• Must have the ability to ride in helicopters
• Must be able to work a varied schedule including weekend, nighttime, and holiday hours as needed
• Must be able to read and understand technical instructions in English
• Must have a valid FL Class E Drivers License with a clean driving record
• Must pass the CORE and Public Health exams within six months of hire and be able to maintain certification by earning appropriate CEUs (continuing education units)
• Must demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with the public and providing information about insectary operations

Preferred Qualifications:

• One or more years of hands-on experience rearing mosquitoes or other insects in a laboratory, insectary, research, university, agricultural, public health, or similar setting
• Experience maintaining mosquito colonies through multiple life stages, including egg, larval, pupal, and adult stages
• Experience working with Aedes, Culex, or other medically important mosquito species
• Experience establishing, maintaining, or troubleshooting laboratory insect colonies or field-collected insect populations
• Experience preparing mosquitoes or mosquito larvae for bioassays, research studies, product evaluations, or field validation activities
• Knowledge of mosquito biology, identification, breeding, and colony maintenance
• Experience working in an insectary, biological laboratory, vector-control program, public health laboratory, university research laboratory, or comparable environment
• Florida mosquito control experience or certification

Supplemental Information:

Work Environment/Physical Requirements: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Physical Requirements: Heavy physical activity is occasionally required when in the field including lifting, reaching for, pulling and carrying up to fifty pounds, reaching and pulling with arms, stooping, kneeling, bending frequently, standing for long periods of time, walking for long distances, sitting for long periods of time while driving a vehicle, and climbing over and around natural obstacles, in and out of a variety of equipment and vehicle and up and down ladders. Must be able to use hands and fingers to type, and grip and operate a variety of hand tools and other equipment. Excellent vision, both close and distance, is regularly required.

Work Environment: The work environment varies but normally includes laboratories and office buildings and may occasionally include workshops, animal rearing/storage facilities, helicopters, boats, vehicles, mangroves, fields, and islands. When in the insectary, exposure to high humidity and heat is required. When in the field, exposure to all types of weather will occur and exposure to sun, rain, mud, manure, a variety of farm animals and insects will occur frequently. Frequent local travel may be required. Noise level is usually low but occasional exposure to moderate noise levels when around helicopters. Working with and around chemicals and biological control organisms, which are stored, handled, applied/used and disposed of according to exact labeling instructions, is required frequently.

Pre-employment criminal background check and drug screen required.

Equal Opportunity Employer; Drug Free Workplace; Veterans Preference to those who qualify. We are an E-VERIFY employer. Please visit our careers page at leecountymcdfl.gov or leecountyhcdfl.gov  for more information.