Summary This position is located in the Environmental Management Service (EMS) of the VA Medical Center in Palo Alto, CA.
Learn more about this agency Duties Help
- Planning, accomplishing, and maintaining the facilities integrated Pest Management Program (IPMP) which includes developing, organizing, maintaining, and performing the full range of integrated pest management operations and procedures for EMS and the medical facility;
- Developing pest maintenance schedules, material requirements, and application methods for appropriate pest management measures and is responsible for devising and maintaining all program plans, records, and surveillance and trouble-shooting procedures, and determining which pest control measures are needed without supervisory guidance;
- Applying in-depth knowledge of pest species and be skilled in the safe handling, mixing, application, and disposal of pesticides requirements within integrated pest management program;
- Using wrenches, pliers, screw drivers, and similar hand tools to provide operator maintenance of application equipment; changing nozzles, valves, and hoses and adjusting and calibrating nozzle settings; lubricating motors, pumps, and agitators;
- Determining approaches, methods, and courses of action such as whether to utilize chemical or physical methods in controlling a pest infestation; responsible for the conduct of the pest control program and adherence to appropriate Federal and State regulatory requirements;
- Advising management and facility support personnel on practical aspects of pest management and control, and utilizing technical handbooks, consults with pest management professionals when needed, and regulatory issuances such as (EPA) directions and instructions for mixing and applying restricted use pesticides for guidance;
- Serving as a Contracting Officers Representative (COR) on special projects such as bird waste removal, window washing, and signage installations and may also be called upon to coordinate and/or advise Facility Engineering and Management personnel concerning IPMP control procedures including structural, sanitary, and plant pest control;
- Performing related duties as assigned.
Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 6:00am - 2:30pm.
Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized.
Requirements Help
Conditions of employment - You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
- All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
- Pre-employment physical required
- Subject to background/security investigation
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification 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 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, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Qualifications PHYSICAL EFFORT: Required to often lift and handle materials weighing over 50 pounds and carry chemical solutions and equipment weighing up to 40 pounds for extended periods. Employee may work in cramped and inconvenient surroundings requiring manipulation of equipment in awkward positions for prolonged periods. Work requires standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, climbing, and working in tiring and uncomfortable positions for extended periods. Employee may also be asked to move furniture and equipment as well as various carpentry and masonry tools.
WORK CONDITIONS: Work is accomplished both inside and outside. When working outside, employee may be exposed to hot sun for extended periods of time and occasionally to bad weather. Outside work may be done under hot and dusty conditions for extended periods. Inside work is often accomplished in structural areas with minimum ventilation and/or limited access. Employee may mix substances and apply 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. Employee may be exposed to poisonous insects, reptiles, and plants and to wild and rabid animals.
Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualifications. For this position, the job element method is used to match what you, the applicant, can do against what the work calls for. Your knowledge, skills and abilities will be compared to the knowledge, skills and abilities (called job elements) needed for success. Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element (WG-2 and higher only; screen-outs are not applicable to WG-1). Applicants who appear to meet the screen out element are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated from consideration. The potential eligibles are rated against the remainder of the job elements. While a specific length of training and experience is not required,
your responses to the questionnaire must be supported by detailed descriptions of your experience on your resume. You will be rated on the following Job Elements as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position:
- Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading)
- Materials
- Technical Practices
- Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
- Without more than normal supervision
IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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.
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; religious; 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.
Education This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Additional information Note: Per "
Executive Order 14251: Exclusions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs ", this position is no longer eligible for bargaining unit participation.
Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
