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3424 Integrated Pest Management Specialist
Description of Duties
The 3424 Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Specialist manages pests using biological, cultural, mechanical, physical and chemical controls with emphasis on the least toxic approach. The 3424 Integrated Pest Management Specialist is distinguished from the 3421 Natural Resources Chief, in that the latter has lead responsibilities for all natural resource, conservation and IPM activities.
The focus of the 3424 IPM Specialist is to implement field functions of the IPM program under the general direction of the 3421, Natural Resources Chief. Specifically, the 3424 performs pest control measures that support natural resource conservation and land management at a watershed wide scale. The IPM specialist operates and maintains equipment, such as sprayers, vehicles, and specialized tools; directs contractors, interns and seasonal workers in the field to implement planned work; monitors ecosystems and evaluates natural pest predators and conditions that may contribute to pest problems; records and maintains needed supplies and maintains records.
Essential duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:
1. Surveys and inspects trees, shrubs, grass, rights of way and other vegetation, aquatics and structures for evidence of disease or presence of harmful pests by using visual aids, field observations and history records.
2. Monitors pest ecosystems to evaluate the presence of pest species, natural pest predators, and conditions that may contribute to pest problems.
3. Assists and provides expertise in the development of integrated pest management program strategy.
4. Utilizes traps, chemical and non-chemical methods to manage pests.
5. Maintains detailed Integrated Pest Management records.
6. Provides expertise, assistance and training to staff, structural contract service providers and the public about pest biology, the IPM approach, new pest management strategies, and toxicology of pesticides for use.
7. Mixes, applies and monitors various recommended chemicals, fertilizers, compounds and baits to be used for treatment, elimination or control of specific conditions found.
8. Provides technical direction and oversight to gardening staff and other departmental employees.
9. Implements pest control measures in accordance with the City’s Integrated Pest Management Program (Chapter 39 of the San Francisco Administrative Code).
10. Operates and maintains specialized equipment such as sprayers of various types, small boat to spray lakes for algae and weed control, and/or large capacity truck sprayer for surface areas.
11. Requisitions and evaluates needed supplies and keeps records of chemicals used and recommendations for spray control operations.