Seasonal Entomology Lab Technician
The Entomology Lab Technician position is an integral part of the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District’s operations. The focus is processing larval and adult mosquito samples using taxonomic keys and dissecting microscopes. Some field work opportunities, mainly setting up and retrieving surveillance traps. Other duties include assisting with processing black fly and tick collections and maintaining lab equipment. This position works in a team at our St. Paul office; hours are 7:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Monday-Friday.
Becoming a lab technician is a great opportunity for those interested in gaining experience in public health, entomology, or general biology. Hiring starts in February. The season begins in the spring and usually ends in fall. Start and end dates are flexible.
MMCD also comes with perks to support you in your personal and professional journey. We’re committed to teamwork, community, learning, and development. Our desire is that you leave here with tools that will help you in your life, whether you work for the District for one season or many!
Salary: $17.00-$20.65 per hour
Benefits:
• Paid Training
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Time Off
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Start and End Dates
• May Fulfill Internship Requirements
• Uniforms
What you bring to the team:
• The belief that people are the source of extraordinary experiences, and the desire to contribute to something bigger than yourself, every day
• A willingness to learn and an openness to feedback, coaching, and mentorship
• The ability to legally work in the USA, a high school diploma or GED, and a valid driver license
Schedule:
• Day shift
• Monday through Friday
• Up to 40+ hours per week
• Opportunity for overtime
MMCD is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.
Job Description
Brief Definition
In a team environment, perform work of moderate difficulty identifying larval and adult mosquitoes. Set up and retrieve surveillance traps. Assist with processing black fly and tick collections.
Essential Duties
Responsibilities include:
Promoting health and well-being by protecting the public from disease and annoyance caused by mosquitoes, gnats (black flies), and ticks in an environmentally safe manner
Examining adult and larval mosquito and black fly collections with a dissecting microscope
Recording the identification and entering the information into a data base
Preparing and maintaining collection equipment
Raising mosquito larvae to adults
Performing miscellaneous field and/or light maintenance work as needed
Washing glassware and vials to maintain supply for field use.
Communicating effectively with coworkers and the public
Promoting a diverse, culturally competent, and respectful workplace
Occasionally duties include:
Processing tick surveillance samples
Participating in outreach activities like county and state fair information booths or parades
Performing other job-related duties as required or directed.
Employment Standards
Experience:
Experience in use of taxonomic keys, equivalent experience, or demonstrated capability to perform duties.
Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills:
Knowledge of biology and insect taxonomy is helpful.
Ability to operate a microscope and to learn insect identification.
Accurately record results of collections and experiments
Record results and perform data entry.
Learn and perform appropriate operation of District vehicles and equipment.
Read, write, and follow written and oral instructions.
Perform math and understand units of measure.
Follow all District and OSHA safety requirements.
Be at least 18 of age.
Possess a valid driver’s license and maintain a good driving record.
MMCD has predetermined that all seasonal classification positions are six (6) months or less in duration.
Physical Requirements:
Positions in this class typically require sedentary work, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions. Sedentary work involves maintaining a stationary position. Jobs are sedentary if moving is required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met. Some work requires stooping, kneeling crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions on wet and uneven terrain. Move and transport up to 50 pounds occasionally and/or use force frequently or constantly to manipulate, lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Certain work involves bike riding. Incumbents will be subjected to outdoor work and operation of District vehicles and equipment.