The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources’ (MDAR) mission is to help keep the Massachusetts’ food supply safe and secure, and to work to keep Massachusetts agriculture economically and environmentally sound.
The Massachusetts State Reclamation and Mosquito Control Board (SRB), within the Department of Agricultural Resources, oversees mosquito control in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts including 12 regional programs. SRB establishes administrative and technical policies, guidelines, and best management practices to ensure mosquito control programs are safe and effective.
Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project (CMMCP): CMMCP was created by the Massachusetts State Legislature in 1973, and currently consists of 44 cities and towns in Central Massachusetts, from both Worcester and Middlesex Counties, covering over 825 square miles from the NH to the RI & CT borders. CMMCP’s headquarters is located at 111 Otis Street in Northborough, MA. CMMCP employs Integrated Pest Management (IPM), blending state of the art methods with expertise, experience, and scientific research using environmentally sound practices and cost effective mosquito control techniques, thus reducing mosquito annoyance and the potential for the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases to residents of our member communities.
CLASSIFICATION: SEASONAL SURVEILLANCE TECHNICIAN
Surveillance Technicians will be assigned by the Director of Operations and/or Executive Director to the Staff Entomologist and/or Staff Biologist, and are directly responsible to them in addition to the Director of Operations and the Executive Director. Surveillance Technicians receive instruction and direction on mosquito surveillance duties, including but not limited to the following:
1. To demonstrate punctuality, dependability and compliance with work schedules.
2. To drive a truck carefully in the manner used in mosquito control work and to follow all established traffic laws, regulations and common sense safety practices.
3. Set out and pick up mosquito traps for arbovirus testing in the CMMCP service area.
4. Assist Staff Entomologist and Staff Biologist in his/her duties as directed.
5. Be able to identify different species of mosquitoes after minimal training as directed.
6. Enter data in a computer database.
7. Send surveillance and other information via e-mail.
8. Transport mosquito collections into Mass. Dept. of Public Health’s State Laboratory in Jamaica Plain as needed.
9. Assist in other on-going research projects as directed.
10. Will assist in wetland project as directed.
11. Will perform field inspections in the area of larval and adult mosquito surveillance among the towns in the CMMCP service area.
12. Assist in any other office or field tasks that may arise.
13. Any and all tasks subject to the needs of the Project as determined by the Director of Operations or the Executive Director.
Must be able to communicate effectively in English. Must be able to lift and carry 40 pounds over uneven terrain.
Experience with computers including Microsoft Word and Excel. Possession of a current and valid Massachusetts Class D
Motor Vehicle Operator’s License and a good driving record.
The salary for the Seasonal Surveillance Technician is $20.00 per hour.
Seasonal Surveillance Technician’s salaries are determined by the project, and based on the incumbent’s experience and possession of applicable licenses needed to perform the job.
A cover letter and resume must be submitted as part of the application process and attached as relevant to the requisition.
Surveillance Technicians at CMMCP are contracted, seasonal positions whose daily hours or length of service may be modified at the discretion of the Executive Director but are not to exceed 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week except under certain circumstances as determined by the Executive Director.
Qualifications:
See job description for qualifications and preferred qualifications.
There are no benefits with this position, except earned sick leave.
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Executive Order #595: As a condition of employment, successful applicants will be required to have received COVID-19 vaccination or an approved exemption as of their start date. Details relating to demonstrating compliance with this requirement will be provided to applicants selected for employment. Applicants who receive an offer of employment who can provide documentation that the vaccine is medically contraindicated or who object to vaccination due to a sincerely held religious belief may make a request for exemption.
An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don’t meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.