Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to current, permanent employees of the Hershel "Woody" Williams VA Medical Center and CTAP eligible applicants.

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The Pest Controller must select pesticides for specific conditions and results desired. For example, he must select pesticides according to the areas to be treated such as food handling and eating must be treated differently than patient areas and other areas of the hospital. Applications of pesticides must be accomplished by incumbent to achieve desired results. For example, he must select supplies and equipment according to growth stage
of pest, the residual effect desired from the chemical and the method of eradication desired such as respiratory attacking contact or anticoagulant agents. Pest Controller must be able to formulate standard pesticides according to exact directions and may be required to dilute levels or combine pesticides in the same medium to control several types of insects with the same application

• The incumbent must record and report types of infestations, the control methods applied and the results of application
• The Pest Controller is responsible for interior, structural and exterior pest control including rodent control around the perimeter of the hospital grounds.
• Must select control methods suitable for the hospital environment, being careful
  not to expose patients, visitors or staff to toxic chemicals.
• Responsible for all applicable reports, budget monitoring and data relative to the
  Pest Control Programs

Duties- Insect/Pest Control and Prevention

• Collects and identifies disease carriers such as but not limited to, different types of mosquitoes, lice, fleas, scorpions, wasps, fire ants, poisonous snakes, raccoons, bed bugs and bats.
• Interprets building plans and blueprints to locate and avoid building structural supports, electrical wiring, ventilation ducts, etc., when planning applications within the walls, ceilings, or floors of buildings.
• Plans work sequences and conducts trouble-shooting inspections of buildings and grounds for evidence of conditions conducive to damage and infestation by insects, rodents, predatory animals, and other pests.
• Uses wrenches, pliers, screw drivers and similar hand tools to perform operator maintenance on application equipment. Changes nozzles, valves, and hoses; adjusts and calibrates nozzle settings; and lubricates motors, pumps, and agitators.
• Utilizes suitable Integrated Pest Management (IPM) control methods to reduce and control hazards to public health, stored products, structures, and vegetation. Selects, mixes, and applies restricted and general use pesticides to control a wide variety of insect, vertebrate, and plant pests including those not commonly recognized and often hard to find.
• Locates and identifies pests in stored products; determines the appropriate pesticide toxicity, chemical solutions, baits, physical characteristics, lifecycles, and feeding habits associated with a wide variety of pests; and plans and carries out appropriate pest control measures.

  Duties- Insect/Pest Control and Prevention

• Collects and identifies disease carriers such as but not limited to, different types of mosquitoes, lice, fleas, scorpions, wasps, fire ants, poisonous snakes, raccoons, bed bugs and bats.
• Interprets building plans and blueprints to locate and avoid building structural supports, electrical wiring, ventilation ducts, etc., when planning applications within the walls, ceilings, or floors of buildings.
• Plans work sequences and conducts trouble-shooting inspections of buildings and grounds for evidence of conditions conducive to damage and infestation by insects, rodents, predatory animals, and other pests.
• Uses wrenches, pliers, screw drivers and similar hand tools to perform operator maintenance on application equipment. Changes nozzles, valves, and hoses; adjusts and calibrates nozzle settings; and lubricates motors, pumps, and agitators.
• Utilizes suitable Integrated Pest Management (IPM) control methods to reduce and control hazards to public health, stored products, structures, and vegetation. Selects, mixes, and applies restricted and general use pesticides to control a wide variety of insect, vertebrate, and plant pests including those not commonly recognized and often hard to find.
• Locates and identifies pests in stored products; determines the appropriate pesticide toxicity, chemical solutions, baits, physical characteristics, lifecycles, and feeding habits associated with a wide variety of pests; and plans and carries out appropriate pest control measures.

Contracting Officer Representative (COR) Duties

• The duty of the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) is to ensure that the government receives all that it has bargained for. ACOR must be appointed for Architecture and Engineer, construction, hazmat contracts exceeding $25,000, all healthcare contracts for services, and multi-year service contracts.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Not Authorized.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Pre-employment physical required
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/20/2025.

Preferred Experience: Must have a working knowledge to be able to identity a wide variety of pests found in this subtropical area. Must know the habits, physical characteristics and their stages, be able to recognize when chemicals and treatment methods must be changed to control same. The Pest Controller must have the skill and technical knowledge to recognize conditions relative to pest infestations and detecting concealed infestations in such areas as within building partitions, packaged items and in soil around grounds adjacent to buildings. The Pest Controller must select pesticides for specific conditions and results desired.

For example, The Pest controller must select pesticides according to the areas to be treated such as food handling and eating must be treated differently than patient areas and other areas of the hospital. Applications of pesticides must be accomplished by incumbent to achieve desired results. Pest Controller must be able to formulate standard pesticides according to exact directions and may be required to dilute levels or combine pesticides in the same medium to control several types of insects with the same application Keeps daily pest management records showing what chemicals are used, when applied, life cycle of insect, etc. and compile them for quarterly report. Mixes and applies both general and restricted-use pesticides. Treatments are accomplished utilizing hand sprayers, electric foggers, electric dusters, hand dusters and other techniques as prescribed. Performs daily care of equipment. Performs other related duties as assigned. Operate a Government vehicle to drive to off site locations.

Selective Placement Factor: The Pest Controller must obtain and keep licenses as required by the State regulations of assigned areas within 6 months of starting the position. Must maintain the licenses by completing the required state(s) yearly credit hours.

SCREEN-OUT ELEMENT: Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element, which usually appears as question 1 in the on-line questionnaire. Those applicants who appear to possess at least the minimal acceptable qualification requirement are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated. The potential eligibles are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements:

• Dexterity and Safety
• Environmental Engineering
• Materials
• Oral Communication
• Pest Control
• Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions:
The Pest Controller often lifts and handles materials weighing over 50 pounds and carries chemical solutions and equipment weighing up to forty (40) pounds for extended periods. He occasionally works in cramped and inconvenient surroundings requiring manipulation of equipment in awkward positions for prolonged periods. Work frequently requires standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, climbing, and working in tiring and uncomfortable positions for extended periods. He may move furniture and equipment and operate high impact pneumatic hammers as well as various carpentry and masonry tools.

Working Conditions:
The work is accomplished both inside and outside. When working outside, pest control workers are often exposed to hot sun for extended periods of time and occasionally to bad weather. Outside work may be done in marsh areas or under hot and dusty conditions for extended periods. Inside work is often accomplished in structural areas with minimum ventilation and/or limited access. The Pest Controller mixes substances and applies pesticides while wearing respirators, gloves, and other personal protective equipment designed to nullify the risk of exposure to toxic dust and sprays, which might
damage their health. Damage to health may occur if appropriate safety procedures are not followed. Discomfort may be experienced while wearing protective clothing, respirators, goggles, or face masks for extended periods of time.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.