Description

Position:         Operations Manager Biologist

Reports to:     General Manager

Wage Status:  FLSA Exempt, Supervisory

Salary:            $94,080 - $115,706 per year

General Description

Under general direction and supervision by the General Manager, the Operations Manager Biologist plans, organizes and directs vector control programs; performs a variety of professional biologist duties; provides for the safe and efficient use of vehicles, facilities and equipment and performs related work as required.  These duties include: work with the General Manager to direct District-wide vector control programs, develop policy relating to overall operations, collect and analyze data, identify vectors, support field staff, provide administrative support, and any other District work as directed by management.

Essential Functions 

• Plans, manages, coordinates, and participates in vector control programs
• Evaluates equipment, vehicles and pesticide inventory, makes operational purchases as necessary.  Manages and coordinates the maintenance of operational equipment
• Plans, organizes, and coordinates the activities of the Vector Control Technicians
• Supervises all Vector Control Technicians in accordance with applicable state and federal employment laws and the District's Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual and the Memorandum of Understanding between the District and its Employees Association
• Reviews activities to ensure that work and services are in accordance with standards, regulatory and safety requirements, and are on schedule
• Designs and implements changes for vector control which promote economy of cost and efficient use of manpower
• Evaluates the effectiveness of operations and control methods, and relates information to the General Manager
• Applies professional expertise to limit environmental impacts to environmentally sensitive habitats such as salt and fresh water marshes, lakes, and flood control systems
• Plans and conducts vector-borne disease surveillance, vector population monitoring and vector identifications
• Collects and maintains records of monitoring and identification activities, and provides written analyses and recommendations upon request.
• Manages, implements, recommends, and keeps up-to-date on materials, equipment, technologies and techniques to attain maximum production and stable supplies of Gambusia affinis stocks for District use
• Appropriately applies the authority of the District when analyzing, interpreting, and enforcing state and local environmental health laws
• Creates vector management plans, estimates costs, and prepares and monitors contracts for fee-for-service clients
• Communicates with professional or other associations, public and governmental agencies as directed
• Trains Vector Control Technicians and monitors worker safety in operations and procedures
• Provides assistance to all other phases of the District field operations as directed
• Performs any other District work as directed by management

Work Hours

Approximately 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, with additional hours as needed to perform the responsibilities of the position. Travel within and outside the District, sometimes requiring evenings and weekends.

Knowledge, Ability, and Skills

• Complete knowledge of operational and technical aspects of vector control
• Operational knowledge of medically important arthropods and vertebrates, and the diseases vectored by same
• Ability to identify mosquitoes and other vectors to species level
• Principles of management, training and performance appraisal
• Thorough knowledge of vector control pesticides and their ecological implications
• General knowledge of scientific research techniques
• Ability to plan and conduct surveys and studies
• Ability to prepare written reports and procedures
• Ability to use the computer and internet technology as it applies to report writing, budgeting, website maintenance and cartography
• Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with others
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions
• Ability to perform the physical requirements of the position
• Ability to write and speak English effectively

Education

Possession of a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in entomology, biology, zoology or related field is required. 

Experience

Minimum of three (3) years of employment in a vector control, pest control, or related field, with experience in field and laboratory operations

Supervisory and/or management experience or other relevant experience in the field that will provide the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully carry out the responsibilities of the position

Certification

Must obtain within one year from date of hire or possess certification by the California Department of Health as a Vector Control Technician in categories A, B, C, and D and maintain these certifications throughout the course of employment

Driver License

Current valid California Class C Driver License, including being insurable under the guidelines of the District’s insurance carrier

Physical Requirements  

• Vision – Minimum of single eye corrected vision with the ability to demonstrate measurable depth perception
• Hearing – Able to hear with a minimum of single ear aided hearing
• Speech – Must be able to converse effectively in English with other persons, both in person and electronically
• Body Movement – Able to operate a motor vehicle, able to physically traverse uneven ground such as fields, hills, marshes, ponds and similar rough terrain, and able to lift fifty (50) pounds.  Must have full mobility of all limbs
• Constant (activity or condition exists 2/3 or more of the time): operate a motor vehicle on paved roads and in off-road conditions, operate a variety of monitoring and field equipment, traverse uneven ground and rough terrain while exposed to various weather conditions, converse with others both in person and electronically
• Frequent (activity or condition exists 1/3 to 2/3 of the time): sit and stand in an office environment, operate various laboratory and office machines
• Occasionally (activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time):  possible exposure to pesticides and other health hazards, perform treatments for vectors, perform equipment maintenance, interaction with irate and antagonistic members of the public

Application

A completed District Employment Application must be submitted.  Résumés are accepted but not in lieu of a completed application.  

Application forms are available at https://www.mvmdistrict.org/employment-opportunityoperations-manager-biologist or they can be picked up at the district office.

Mosquito and Vector Management District of Santa Barbara County 

2450 Lillie Ave 

Summerland CA 93067 

Application deadline: Until the position is filled.

Depending on the number of applicants, interviews and a written test will be scheduled in the month of June 2026.