Vector Management Technician (Fixed Term Contract) in San Juan, Puerto Rico at Puerto Rico Science Technology & Research Trust
Job Description
Job Title: Vector Management Technician
Reports to: Vector Management Supervisor/Manager (PRVCU)
Location / Hours: San Juan & Ponce, Puerto Rico / Full-Time
Type of Contract: Fixed Term Contract (through January 2027)
Overview of the Organization
The Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust (“PRSTRT” or “Trust”) is a private non-profit organization created in 2004 to encourage and promote innovation, transfer, and commercialization of technology and creation of jobs in the technology sector. We contribute to Puerto Rico’s public policy for science, technology, research, and development. The Trust’s mission is to invest, facilitate and build capacity to continually advance Puerto Rico's economy and its citizens’ well-being through innovation-driven enterprises, science, technology, research, and public health. Our vision is that Puerto Rico is a globally recognized innovation hub.
The Puerto Rico Vector Control Unit (PRVCU) primary responsibilities are to develop, lead, and deploy an effective integrated vector management (IVM) strategy to reduce the Aedes aegypti population and the burden of Zika, chikungunya, and dengue. PRVCU will carry out vector surveillance, community engagement, and IVM for effective mosquito control.
The PRVCU is funded through grants, so its specific activities vary as new projects are funded and as old projects end. Consequently, the successful applicant for this position will have a variety of ever-changing vector management duties.
Purpose
The Vector Management Technician is responsible for vector control, surveillance activities, mosquito identification, community engagement and aid the Puerto Rico Vector Control Unit in its goal to control the mosquito Aedes aegypti and other vectors and pests. As PRVCU diversifies its expertise and expands collaborations with the private and public sector, the Vector Management Technician must be adaptable and capable of adjusting work priorities based on project goals and organizational needs.
Work will be conducted in the field, community, and in a laboratory setting. The Vector Management Technician will be exposed to indoor and outdoor environmental conditions. Will be exposed to noise, vibration, exposure to chemicals, fumes, and odors and may be required to wear a mask or other protective gear. Also, it will be in close proximity to moving parts and working in high places. This technician will be required to travel by vehicle as part of assigned duties. The incumbent at times will be expected to perform heavy labor (exerting up to 40 pounds of force to carry, lift, push or otherwise move objects.) Such work shall be conducted in accordance with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws, and in accordance with PRVCU’s established policies and procedures.
Key Responsibilities and Duties
Field activities:
- Conduct surveillance of immature and adult mosquitoes and other vector specimens in areas of interest, including deployment and servicing of traps, specimen life stages counts, and any other method as directed by his or her supervisor.
- Conduct vector control activities, including but not limited to: site inspections, source reduction, application of insecticides or other product(s) determined by Supervisor.
- Accurately perform adult mosquito and larvae identification or any other vector species. Prepare samples for storage or molecular testing.
- Conduct mosquito insecticide resistance assays.
- Adapt activities to support PRVCU’s diversified vector control initiatives with academia, state, federal and private sector collaborations.
- Record data in a precise, organized, and readable format.
- Follow procedures to handle samples, equipment, and materials.
- Meet schedule requirements assigned by Supervisor.
- Continuously interact with Supervisor to complete scheduled tasks and ensure project timelines are met.
- Prepare, organize, and clean vehicles, materials or supplies for servicing traps or any other control activities according to protocol.
- Assist in the evaluation of products or techniques of potential value to the PRVCU control programs.
- Assist in any additional field or laboratory projects that the PRVCU may undertake in the future.
- Adhere to all Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) protocols, wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), and report safety hazards or incidents to supervisor in compliance with Federal, State, and local regulations.
- Use assigned vehicles, mobile devices, and office equipment responsibly and in accordance with PRVCU policies. Operate vehicles safely, use devices for work purposes only, and maintain compliance with data security requirements.
Community activities:
- Support the implementation of a community and business outreach plan according to the Community Division Strategic Plan.
- Organize, attend, and present at business, community, schools, and neighborhood group meetings regarding the PRVCU's programs, including community mobilization, education, and vector control.
- Coordinate, support, design, and/or implement educational lessons and community outreach related events, including workshops, town hall meetings, special events, social and cultural events, educational booths, educational talks, informational visits, etc. around the Island during or outside normal business hours.
- Support outreach or educational activities of the PRVCU.
- Develop public education and information materials, presentations and displays, including contributing to newsletters, media/new media outreach, educational material content, social media, and website content following PRVCU guidelines and PRST branding.
- Assessing, recording, and reporting on the development, progress, attainment, and behavior of students and community members.
- Ensuring the safe custody and optimum use of equipment normally used by oneself during lessons and sees its regular service and maintenance.
- Respond to public and community inquiries and brief organization’s staff on matters of public interest and concern.
- Define requirements, participate in the design and implementation of a community database of interested parties and issues.
- Provide training to community leaders (“Train the Trainers” and other formats).
- Provide support to the Vector Control Unit in general, and the CM division specifically, as needed.
Since our organization is going to change to meet the needs of public health, environmental conservation, and the PRVCU, you can expect, anticipate, and assume that your job description will change to meet these challenges.
Qualifications & Technical Job Requirements
- Functionally bilingual in English and Spanish (i.e. ability to read, write, and speak in both languages).
- Ability to work independently with minimum supervision, often alone in remotes areas or areas with restricted access.
- Ability to successfully engage with a wide range of stakeholders.
- Strong interpersonal skills; ability to work effectively as part of a team in a dynamic environment; comfortable and effective in influencing at all organizational levels; ability to tactfully give/receive constructive feedback.
- Impeccable oral and written communications skills in English and Spanish including excellent writing, proofreading, and editing abilities and command of grammar/punctuation, style, and format; ability to communicate, translate, simplify, and articulate complex ideas into easily understood and relatable concepts.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other PRVCU employees and members of the public.
- Ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical individuals or audiences in both written and verbal formats regarding work performed and the results of work performed. Must be able to maintain diplomacy in interactions with agitated members of the public or co-workers.
- Must be able to learn, understand, and apply required skills related to biology, mathematics, numerical data, and policies and procedures for data collection, sample collection, preparation, and interpretation of survey and technical reports, and progress reports.
- Must be willing to work outside in fluctuating and unfavorable weather conditions.
- Must possess ability to read, interpret and follow policies, procedures, and technical, legal, and administrative documents related to field and laboratory surveillance activities.
- Must possess ability to create and write correspondence, technical reports, and administrative documents related to field and laboratory surveillance activities.
- Must possess ability to make accurate observations and to keep simple, but detailed records.
- Must be able to evaluate situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
- Must be able to receive and follow instructions exactly.
- Experience with Microsoft Office.
- Must hold a valid Puerto Rico driver’s license.
Experience & Educational Requirements
- Associate degree in Biology, Natural Sciences, Education, Public Health, Agronomy or related STEM field. Bachelor’s degree is highly desirable.
- 2 years of documented experience working in agriculture and vector management.
- Knowledge of vector biology, laboratory techniques (mosquito identification and insecticide resistance) and vector control practices.
“The Trust is an equal opportunity employer; we strive to maintain a workplace atmosphere that is free from discrimination. To those ends, the Trust provides equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, national origin, social status, political affiliation, religion, physical or mental disability, veteran status, perceived or real domestic violence victim status, sexual harassment victim status, stalking victim status, and/or any other basis protected by law.”
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