Clarification from the agency

Status Candidates (Current permanent employees of the Department of VA including VA Title 38, Title 38 Hybrid, and Canteen employees serving on excepted appointments; All federal employees serving on a Career/Career-Conditional appointment; Former competitive civil service employees eligible for reinstatement; Veterans eligible under the VEOA, as 30% Disabled Veterans, and under a VRA; Those eligible under the Employment Program for People with Disabilities; Those eligible under CTAP/ICTAP).

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The primary purpose of the Pest Controller position is to prevent and control the entrance of pests and predators and eradicate infestations within all facilities. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a preventative, long-term, low toxicity means of controlling pests. Duties will include, but may not be limited to:

• Plans, implements, and carries out a comprehensive IMP Program.
• Conducts inspections of buildings and grounds.
• Develops survey and treatment schedules for areas and selects materials and equipment to apply insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, germicides, etc.
• Collects and identifies common pests, e.g., ants, flies, mosquitoes, cockroaches, mice, rats, birds, and seasonal pests e.g., mites, fleas, ticks, lawn garden pests, and termites.
• Utilizes suitable IPM control methods to reduce and control hazards to public health, stored products, structures, and vegetation.
• 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.
• Maintains data on infestations, type of treatment applied, results achieved, and existing conditions which may encourage infestation.
• Uses, maintains, and calibrates pest control equipment.
• Must understand potential environmental consequences precipitated by weather; types of terrain, soil or other substrate; drainage patterns; and presence of wildlife and nontarget organisms.
• Coordinates work with the Infection Control Nurse and other people in the Medical Center and advises on preventative measures such as housekeeping requirements and removal/elimination of pest hiding areas.
• Makes pest control troubleshooting inspections and recommendations on an as needed basis at the outpatient clinics, residential homes, and other off station properties used by the VA.
• Completes required reports and records to meet all regulatory agency requirements.
• Follows all Federal, State, Local, and Medical Center directives that are pertinent to an effective Integrated Pest Management Program.
• Perform other duties as necessary.

Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday - Friday, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm, based on the needs of the service.
Position Description Title/PD#: Pest Controller/PD066550
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Driver's License: A current, valid state-issued Driver's License is required for this position. NOTE: We cannot accept photographs, therefore; please do not submit a copy of your license with your application package. If an interview is requested, you will be required to provide a copy of your current, valid state-issued Driver's License.

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, 04/08/2026.

EXPERIENCE: A specific length of training and experience is not required, but you must show evidence of training or experience of sufficient scope and quality of your ability to do the work of this position. Evidence which demonstrates you possess the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the duties of this position must be supported by detailed descriptions of such on your resume. Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualification Standards.

The SPF for this position is: Requires a current Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certificate. (This requirement must be supported by your resume and will be verified if interviewed OR provide a copy of the certification with your application.)

AND

SCREEN-OUT: Requires the ability to perform the work as a Pest Controller without more than normal supervision. Qualifying experience includes: identifying common and seasonal pests by sight, physical characteristics, habits, hiding areas and independently determining appropriate pest measures; selecting and mixing approved pesticides and chemicals; applying pesticides in accordance with instructions and warnings; and storing, handling and disposing of all pesticides and containers as required by all local, state, and federal regulations. (Note: To receive credit, resume(s) must support the qualifying experience and responses provided to the online questionnaire, with detailed documentation of the duties you have performed in the positions you have held.)

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
• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (other than blueprint reading)
• Materials
• Technical Practices
• Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
• Without more than normal supervision

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: Pest Controller may lift and handle materials weighing over 50 pounds and carry chemical solutions up to 40 pounds for extended periods. May work in cramped or uncomfortable positions. Position involves frequent stooping, bending, kneeling, climbing, and working in uncomfortable conditions may be encountered. May move furniture, equipment, etc., as part of the treatment process.

Working Conditions: May work indoors or outdoors, and may encounter heat, cold, dust, dirt, mud, unpleasant odors, etc. May be exposed to areas with minimal ventilation and/or limited access. Employee is required to wear necessary safety equipment (i.e., respirators, gloves, other personal protective devices) while completing and preparing all applications. May need to respond and/or on-call 24 hours a day for emergencies to prevent loss in service and/or delay in patient care.

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.