Pest Control Technician

Position Description

Position Title: Pest Control Technician  

Department: Maintenance 

Supervisor: Maintenance Manager 

Position Status: Full-Time, Hourly 

 

Company Overview: 

Nashville Zoo is dedicated to inspiring a culture of understanding and discovery of our natural world through conservation, innovation, and leadership. With a diverse collection of animals and a commitment to wildlife preservation, we provide engaging experiences for visitors of all ages. 

 

Position Description: 

With veterinary oversight and guidance, the Pest Control Technician is responsible for design, maintenance, application, and evaluation of a responsive and preventive pest control program through both chemical product and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approaches. The Pest Control Technician is responsible to provide safe, effective, preventive and responsive Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to control pests (including vermin, birds, insects, and others) for Nashville Zoo collection, food services, and grounds. 

 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Develop and implement strategies to preclude food sources and harborage for pests in collection, non-collection, and food service areas on grounds. 

• Maintain direct communication with Zoological Managers and Lead Keepers on pest control problems, including written and electronic reports. 

• Act as on-grounds contact with City of Nashville officials in mosquito deterrence and control and consultants for pest control problems. 

• Responsible for unloading, storage, inventory rotation, safe and appropriate expired waste discard, and ordering chemical pest control supplies. Maintain organized workspace and work vehicle.  

• Assist with unloading, storage, and maintenance of all dry goods and supplies in commissary warehouse and other areas of the zoo as needed. 

• Apply chemical agents in a Safe, legal, and efficient manner for the control of pest organisms and humane trapping (lethal and capture depending on species) of vermin, including disposing of carcasses in an appropriate manner. 

• Transport and deliver animals, as it relates to pest control management, regarding nuisance wildlife transport, both on and off zoo grounds. 

• Provide routine computerized updates to chemical applications and Integrated Pest Management activities for each area as well as preparing detailed reports. These are to be provided to the Veterinary Director and approved prior to any changes to administration techniques or chemical application changes. 

• Provide routine and requested updates to IPM protocols and SDS reviews for pest control products. 

• Adhere to established safety guidelines.  Participates in established animal escape drills and procedures. 

• Assist in grounds clean up and removal of pest nuisances.  

• Assist other facilities team members and/or Zoo contractors as needed. 

• All duties that pertain to pest control techniques/procedures (hot wire, bird sound deterrent, light deterrent)  

• Other duties assigned.      

 

Qualifications 

 

Skills: 

• Demonstrated knowledge of materials, methods, tools and equipment used in cleaning and ability to work safely with potentially dangerous and toxic chemicals. 

• Must demonstrate familiarity with all SDS protocols, application guidelines, and safety procedures and be willing to always follow them, especially as it refers to managing and applying pest control products. 

• Must demonstrate knowledge of occupational hazards involved and the safe work practices to employ while in proximity of potentially dangerous animals. 

• Ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions, and otherwise communicate effectively and efficiently with co-workers and supervisor. 

• Strong knowledge of computer programs of basic word processing, spreadsheets, and internet database access, and comfort with data entry. 

• Considerable knowledge of the zoo’s mission and philosophy. 

• Ability to exercise sound judgment in emergency situations and to respond with appropriate action.  

• Strong interpersonal skills including ability to get along with diverse groups with tact and maturity. 

• Ability to always represent the Nashville Zoo in a professional manner. 

• Ability to interact courteously and respectfully with supervisors, co-workers, visitors and general public. 

• Spanish speaking preferable to allow integration with on-grounds support staff in day-to-day operations. 

 

Education/ Experience: 

• Must be at least 18 years of age. 

• High school diploma or GED equivalent. 

• Tennessee C7 pest control applicator license. 

• Previous experience of three (3) years in performing pest control applications, and preferably in licensed capacity. 

• Experience in sensitive environments, such as a zoo, aquarium, hospital, food handling establishments, or school, or like institution, is preferred.  

• Must have a valid driver’s license. 

 

Physical Responsibilities: 

• Ability to work outdoors year-round, including in inclement weather.  

• Ability to stand and walk for an extended period of time.  

• Ability to climb, bend, stoop, crawl, kneel, twist, reach and extend themselves, etc., as required for assigned tasks.   

• Ability to move, lift, carry, push, pull, and place objects weighing less than or equal to 50 pounds without assistance. 

• Ability to safely handle and restrain zoo animals. 

• Ability to work in small and confined spaces as needed. 

• Ability to wear requisite Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that may include rubber/latex gloves, masks, eye goggles and airway protection. 

• Ability to safely work around various kinds of plants or animals. 

• Ability to see, smell, hear, touch, balance and move freely to ensure the safety of self and others. 

• Non-infectious tuberculosis (TB) status via intradermal skin test, thoracic radiographs, or treatment regimen.  

• Must be current on Rabies vaccination and titer checks. 

 

Work Schedule: 

• Must be available to work any of seven days of the week. 

• Must be available to work special needs or events that may occur outside of regular work schedule, including evenings, weekends or holidays, as required.   

 

Pre-employment requirements: 

• Nashville Zoo is an EEO Institution and a Drug-Free Workplace. 

• Candidates for this position must submit to a criminal background check and pass a drug test.  

• Candidates for this position must submit to an annual Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) check. 

• Candidates for this position are subject to pre-employment and annual Tuberculosis Screenings. 

Qualifications

Salary : $25 - $26