Assistant Entomologist

Assistant Entomologist - Full Time Position

St. Paul, MN 55104

Apply at: mmcd.org

All applicants are required to submit a Resume and Cover Letter Required

Open : 4/18/2025 - 5/2/2025

The Metropolitan Mosquito Control District (MMCD) was created by the Minnesota state legislature (Minn. Statute 473.704) in 1958 for the benefit of citizens of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington counties.

Our Mission: To promote health and wellbeing by protecting the public from disease and annoyance caused by mosquitoes, black flies, and ticks, in an environmentally sensitive manner.

Our Values: We value integrity, trust, cooperation, respect, and competence in our interactions with colleagues and customers.

Our Vision: To be the leading mosquito abatement district in the world.

See our website for more details: mmcd.org

The Assistant Entomologist is a crucial role that maintains our District laboratory operations, ensuring efficiency and following proper laboratory procedures. You will oversee all the District's daily entomological operations, support the District Entomologist in the integration of scientific advancement into public health initiatives and field operations.

As the Assistant Entomologist, you will:

Oversee the daily laboratory operations, including sample collection, processing and analysis.

Recruit, hire, train and evaluate laboratory staff. Ensuring work quality meets the established standards and follow standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Work closely with the Assistant Director, Vector Ecologist to ensure field operations align with laboratory findings.

Assist in preparing technical reports and compliance documentation.

Follow established safety procedures as well as identify potential risks, and coordinate with the Safety Coordinator as necessary.

We're a District committed to teamwork, community, learning, and development.

Salary: $74,632 - $86,477.00 Annual Salary - this is a benefits eligible position -

Employer Paid: Dental, Life Insurance, Short term/Long term disability, Vacation, Sick time, Holiday pay.

Employer Contribution - Medical, Public Employees Retirement Association

Other benefits offered - Vision, 457 Deferred Comp/ROTH plans, Voluntary life insurance.

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.

POSITION TITLE: Assistant Entomologist

DEPARTMENT: REPORTS TO: FLSA STATUS:

Entomology District Entomologist Exempt

CLASS SUMMARY:

Position Overview:

The Assistant Entomologist supports the District Entomologist by managing the daily operations of the entomology laboratory, supervising laboratory staff, and assisting in the design and implementation of surveillance, research, and control programs. This position plays a key role in ensuring the accuracy and efficiency of laboratory work while contributing to the District's efforts in integrated pest management (IPM), modeling, and public health initiatives. This position supervises the Laboratory Specialist and seasonal technicians. The Assistant Entomologist collaborates with various teams to support the District's mission of reducing vector-borne disease risks and improving residents enjoyment of the outdoors.

Essential Duties:

Laboratory Operations and Management:

• Oversee daily entomology laboratory activities, including the collection, processing, and analysis of samples.
• Maintain laboratory equipment and manage inventory, coordinating repairs and supply procurement as needed.
• Ensure data integrity through accurate recording, analysis, and reporting of laboratory findings.
• Perform accurate and timely species identifications of mosquitoes, black flies, ticks and non-target organisms.

Supervision and Staffing

• Recruit, hire, and supervise laboratory staff, ensuring quality of works meets standards, adherence to safety standards, quality control protocols, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Conduct performance reviews and provide prompt and ongoing coaching and feedback to staff.
• Foster a culture of safety and address safety concerns promptly.

Support for Surveillance Programs:

• Assist in designing, implementing, and managing mosquito, black fly, and tick surveillance programs.
• Conduct field sampling and data collection to support research and operational activities.
• Analyze and interpret surveillance data to inform control strategies and detect emerging vector-borne threats.

Research and Technical Support:

• Collaborate with the District Entomologist on research projects, including evaluating control methods and assessing pesticide efficacy.
• Support the development and application of forecasting models to predict vector population dynamics and public health risks.
• Stay updated on scientific advancements and industry trends to enhance laboratory and program effectiveness.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM):

• Assist in implementing and maintaining the District's IPM plan to control vector populations sustainably.
• Evaluate control measures for effectiveness, cost-efficiency, and environmental impact.

Collaboration and Program Support:

• Work closely with the District Entomologist, District Operations Manager, and Vector Ecologist to align laboratory findings with treatment program planning.
• Support communication efforts by preparing reports, presentations, and outreach materials for internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with local government agencies; public health organizations; other abatement districts; and community groups to enhance public education and control efforts.
• Represent the program at professional meetings, conferences, and other outreach events as needed.

Administrative and Reporting Duties:

• Assist in preparing technical reports, grant applications, and compliance documentation.
• Represent the laboratory in interagency meetings, conferences, and community engagement events as needed.

Safety and Compliance:

• Follow established safety procedures in all field and laboratory activities.
• Identify potential risks, assess safety protocols, and provide recommendations for safety guideline updates as necessary.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Entomology, Biology, Natural Resources or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above. Preferred qualifications include at least 3 years of professional experience in laboratory operations, vector surveillance, or related fields; graduate degree in Entomology, Public Health, or a closely related field; demonstrated ability to supervise staff and manage laboratory workflows effectively; and experience in integrated pest management; and experience in statistical analysis and modeling methods.

Knowledge Required:

• Biology of mosquitoes, black flies, and ticks, and their ecological relationships
• Laboratory techniques and scientific methods, including data analysis and reporting.
• Integrated pest management principles and pesticide application methods.
• Relevant laws, codes, and standards related to vector control and laboratory operations.
• Methods for data quality verification and statistical analysis.
• Staff training and supervision techniques.
• Insect surveillance techniques and associated equipment.
• Development and application of methods for managing and analyzing program data effectively.

Skills Required:

• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Effective time management and organizational skills to prioritize and complete projects.
• Proficiency in GIS, statistical software, and other tools used in vector research and control.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Ability to identify mosquito, black fly, tick species and non-target macroinvertebrates from adult and larval/nymph samples.
• Proficient in conducting data analysis and ensuring data integrity through quality assurance methods.
• Strong skills in reading and interpreting maps, plans, and technical reports.
• Proficiency in using computer software for data management, analysis, and reporting.
• Strong supervisory and mentoring skills for staff development.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and prepare detailed reports.
• Excellent communication skills for interacting with coworkers, supervisors, stakeholders, and the public.
• Ability to prepare and deliver presentations to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills for diverse audiences.

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.

Incumbents may be subjected to, moving mechanical parts, fumes, odors, dust, chemicals and extreme temperatures, intense noise, and travel, requires license to operate a motor vehicle.

NOTE:

The above job description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the business needs of the organization.

Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer

This document is available in alternative formats to individual with disabilities

by calling 651-645-9149 or through MN Relay Service at 1-800-627-3529