Testing & Evaluation Technician



Testing & Evaluation Technician

Salary

Depends on Qualifications

Location

Houston, TX

Job Type

Regular Full-time

Job Number

14524

Department

Public Health Services

Division

Mosquito & Vector Control

Opening Date

04/02/2025

Closing Date

4/3/2025 2:31 PM Central

Position Description

If you’re looking to be a part of a collaborative environment where your skills can make an impact, explore our current opportunities in creating a better future for public health. 

About Harris County Public Health: 
Harris County Public Health (HCPH) includes a network of more than 1,100 public health professionals working together to improve health outcomes for the third most populous county in the United States. HCPH provides a multitude of services such as medical and dental services, community programming, and health education for the approximately 2.3 million people in unincorporated Harris County. Through its core values of innovation, engagement, and health equity, HCPH strives to bring meaningful solutions to public health issues while keeping Harris County healthy and vibrant. 

Position Overview:
Under the supervision of the Test and Evaluation Supervisor, the Test and Evaluation Specialist assists with and executes tasks associated with Insecticide Resistance Management (IRM).  This position is responsible for insectary maintenance, survey and collection of specimens for testing, and assisting with insecticide resistance testing. 

Duties & Responsibilities: 
  • Responsible for rearing mosquito species through complete life cycles, with focus on maintenance of susceptible colony strains and propagation of feral mosquitoes used in insecticide resistance testing. 
  • Surveys and identifies key breeding habitats for public health mosquito populations and collects feral mosquitoes for insecticide resistance testing. 
  • Prepare materials and assists with running field cage test, CDC bottle bioassays, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based insecticide resistance testing.
  • Wash and clean all equipment and materials as per lab protocols to ensure removal of any chemicals or agents that may negatively impact the mosquito colonies. 
  • Builds/modifies and readies equipment for the use in projects. 
  • Sorts mosquitoes by sex and transferring females by aspiration into cages/cups/bottles as required for each test. 
  • Performs maintenance on laboratory equipment and materials according to protocols for quality assurance and quality control. 
  • Assists with training supervision of seasonal/new employees as required.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net
This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Requirements

Education: 

  • High School diploma or G.E.D. equivalent. 

Experience:

  • At least six (6) months of related work experience in mosquito trapping and field collection, insectary colony rearing, insecticide resistance testing or biology lab skills. 
Licensure
  • Current and valid Driver’s License (TX upon hire) with good driving record. 
  • Must acquire Texas Certified Pesticide Applicators License within 1 year of employment.


 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Knowledge of insect biology and biology laboratory skills.
  • Ability to utilize a GPS unit. 
  • Computer proficiency: Basic skills in Microsoft Windows, MS Excel, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Outlook.
     
Core Competencies: 

Organizational Leadership

  • Understands the organizational mission 
  • Understands ethics and public good; is concerned with public trust 
  • Demonstrates respect for the opinions and beliefs of others 

Collaboration

  • Contributes to an inclusive workplace where equity, diversity, inclusion, and individual differences are valued and leveraged to achieve the vision and mission
  • Demonstrates a sense of responsibility for the success of the group 
  • Collaborates with others to improve quality and address needs Innovation 
  • Ability to adapt to change 
Innovation 
  • Ability to adapt to change 

Interpersonal Abilities/Personal Characteristics 

  • Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect 
  • Behaves in an honest, fair, and ethical manner 
  • Assesses and recognizes own strengths and weaknesses 
  • Uses sound judgment 
  • Self-motivated 
  • Organizes and maintains work environment to allow for maximum productivity 

Communication 

  • Communicates clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

Preferences

Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree in Entomology, Public Health, Biology, or related field from an accredited College or University.

General Information

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work: 
  • This is a Full-Time position Days and hours of work are typically Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. 
  • Up to 40 hours per week
  • Other days and hours as necessary 
Work Environment:
  • This position works in lab and in field. Field duties include operating a county vehicle to and from surveillance sites and carrying trapping equipment to and from surveillance site. Field portion is conducted in a variety of weather conditions including rain, heat and humidity.
Physical Demands: 
  • Comfortable working outdoors, lifting, bending, stooping, walking up inclines. Must be able to lift up to 70 lbs.  Must be in good physical health; able to tolerate high heat and high humidity for extended periods of time while working in a variety of habitats including: spoils site, ship channel location, asphalt, concrete, dirt streets, etc. Must be willing to work evenings and weekends and on occasion holidays.
Work Location: 
  • 3330 Old Spanish Trail, Houston, TX 77021

Employment is contingent upon passing a background check and drug screen.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.

BENEFITS
Harris County offers a competitive benefits program, including comprehensive group health and related benefits plan as well as defined benefit retirement plan.
 
The following list of benefits is offered only to employees in regular (full-time) positions:
  • Medical Coverage
  • Dental Coverage
  • Vision Coverage
  • Wellness Plan
  • Life Insurance 
  • Long-term disability
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Ten (10) days of vacation each year for the first five (5) years of service
    • Accrual rates increase based on years of service
  • Eleven (11) County-observed holidays and one (1) floating holiday
  • Professional development opportunities
  • Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan
  • Healthcare Reimbursement Account
  • 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
The following benefits are also available to regular (full-time) employment and may be available to part-time employees:
  • Retirement Pension (TCDRS)
  • Flexible schedule (varies by department)
  • Transportation Assistance (Metro RideSponsor Program)

In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, Group Health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.
 
For plan details, visit the Harris County benefits website:

01
Which of the following best describes your highest level of education completed as it relates to this position? Qualifying information must be documented in the Education section of your application.
  • High School or GED diploma
  • Associate's Degree
  • Bachelor's Degree
  • Master's Degree
  • N/A No Degree
02
If you selected a college degree in response to the previous question, which of the following best describes your major?
  • Entomology
  • Public Health
  • Biology
  • Other Related Field
03
Which of the following best describes your verifiable related work experience in mosquito trapping and field collection, insectary colony rearing, insecticide resistance testing or biology lab skills? (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history)
  • Less than six (6) months
  • Six (6) months or more
  • I do not have this experience
04
This role requires a Valid Texas Driver's License upon hire. Do you have a Valid Texas Driver's License?
  • Yes, I have a Valid Texas Driver's License
  • No, I do not have a Valid Texas Driver's License
  • N/A I do not have a Driver's License
05
This position requires the employee to acquire Texas Certified Pesticide Applicators License within 1 year of hire.
  • Yes, I am able to meet this requirement.
  • No, I am not able to meet this requirement.
  • I currently obtain the license.
06
Please provide details about your verifiable experience with insect biology and biology laboratory skills. Do not use "See Resume", as we do not use resumes to assess qualifications. (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history) Include your (a) role(s), (b) types of organizations, (c) scope of duties and responsibilities. If you do not have this experience, please type "None" in the space provided.
07
Please provide the dates of employment during which you obtained experience working in mosquito trapping and field collection, insectary colony rearing, insecticide resistance testing or biology lab skills. Provide the month and year that began and ended the experience. Example: "January 2020 - December 2023" If this experience is not clearly documented in the Work Experience section, your application will be disqualified. If you do not have this experience, type "N/A" in the space provided.
08
What is your experience with integrated pest management (IPM)? Do not use "See Resume", as we do not use resumes to assess qualifications. (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history) Include your (a) role(s), (b) types of organizations, (c) scope of duties and responsibilities. If you do not have this experience, please type "None" in the space provided.
09
Please describe your verifiable experience with insectary work. Do not use "See Resume", as we do not use resumes to assess qualifications. (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history) Include your (a) role(s), (b) types of organizations, (c) scope of duties and responsibilities. If you do not have this experience, please type "None" in the space provided.

Required Question

Employer
Harris County
Address
1111 Fannin St
Ste. 600
Houston, Texas, 77002
Phone
713-274-5445