Field Biologist

Job Title: Field Biologist

Company: St. Tammany Parish Mosquito Abatement District

Location: 62436 Airport Rd., Slidell, LA 70460

St. Tammany Parish Mosquito Abatement District is a leading parish-wide political subdivision of the state, dedicated to providing mosquito abatement services, research and education for and to the residents of St. Tammany Parish. We follow an integrated mosquito management plan to ensure our residents are getting the best and most diverse support from our operations.

We are seeking a highly motivated Field Biologist to join our team. As a Field Biologist, you will play a key role in supporting residents by conducting fieldwork, collecting data, and monitoring mosquito populations and their habitats. You will have the opportunity to work in diverse environments, ranging from roadside ditches to forests and wetlands to grasslands and marine habitats.

Responsibilities:

• Perform field inspections of larval mosquito abundance in a variety of habitats including septic roadside ditches, residences, freshwater swamps, marsh, and floodwaters.
• Perform field inspections of adult mosquito abundance by performing landing rates and setting/collecting mosquito traps.
• Collect environmental data using a variety of different equipment including water quality and meteorological sensors.
• Record data from field using web-based software platforms.
• Use specialized equipment such as backpack sprayers, high volume liquid sprayers, ultra-low volume (ULV) sprayers, and granular sprayers to perform mosquito management interventions including adulticiding and larviciding in a variety of mosquito habitats.
• Coordinate larvicide control operations in septic roadside ditches by communicating with larviciders and updating maps.
• Provide professional in-person service to assess, recommend and perform effective mosquito management strategies for residents and businesses of St. Tammany Parish.
• Assist the Field Operations Supervisor to update the truck-based adulticide map by measuring driveways and collecting location information of driveways.
• Operate vehicles including right-side drive trucks, marsh master track vehicle, four-wheelers, side-by-side utility vehicles, airboats, and outboard boats.
• Communicate effectively and professionally with colleagues and supervisors.

• Knowledge of and strict adherence to rules of safe operation and handling of insecticides and equipment utilized for mosquito inspections and control activities.

• Maintain up-to-date records of inspection and control activities.
• Maintain a culture and attitude of safety, cleanliness, and professionalism.
• Other duties as required.

Qualifications:

• Current driver’s license.
• Basic computer and tablet (or smartphone) proficiency.
• Bachelor’s degree in biology, environmental science, public health, or related field.
• Obtain a license from the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (category 8A) and General Standards for applying mosquito control insecticides within 1 year of date of start.

Working conditions:

Working conditions will require working outdoors in a variety of environmental conditions and early morning, evening, and weekend work at times.  Employee may use or be around power tools and heavy equipment including all-terrain vehicles, airboats, and forklifts.   Sitting in an office or classroom for extended periods of time such as at a meeting will be required.  Extended periods of time using a computer will be required.

Physical requirements:

This position can be a physically demanding job at times and will require extended periods of walking, kneeling, and bending over.  The person must be able to maintain balance and safely walk on uneven surfaces such as the slope of a roadside ditch.  The person must have the ability to lift at least 50 pounds at times, work around water, use power tools, climb ladders, and ability to drive.  Starting work early in the morning or working late into the evening may be required.  

St Tammany Parish Mosquito Abatement District offers a competitive salary and benefits package to full time employees, including comprehensive health, dental and life insurance, retirement plans, paid annual and sick leave, and much more.  To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume to jobs@stpmad.org for our review. Applications will be received on or before May 9, 2024.

St. Tammany Parish Mosquito Abatement is an equal opportunity employer.