Integrated Pest Control Technician

General Statement
The Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Technician is responsible for all ornamental and lawn pest management for the City of Kyle Parks and Recreation Department. This work may require the employee to be available other than regularly scheduled working hours to oversee system changes and to resolve major operational problems. Receiving administrative and general policy direction from the Conservation Manager, the duties provide for a wide variety of independent decision-making, within legal, general policy, and technological guidelines. The IPM Technician exercises use of technological equipment and systems and best management practices in the science of IPM.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Oversees the activities of assigned areas, which includes developing, planning, implementing, coordinating, administering, and evaluating programs, projects, processes, procedures, systems, standards, and/or service offerings.
• Oversees IPM in all park properties and city rights-of-way.
• Implements best management practices in horticulture and sustainable land management.
• Helps promote the city’s conservation and greening initiatives.
• Adheres to all Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) laws and regulations pertinent to pesticide application.
• Meets and maintains all TDA licensing requirements.
• Documents all applications and inspections in accordance with state law and City of Kyle Parks and
• Recreation operational standards.
• Provides technological guidance and counsel to the Conservation Manager on divisional issues, as well as documentation and personnel record management, typing correspondence, design and distribute employee communications, report preparation, statistical analysis as needed, and processing other varied department specific paperwork as needed.
• Responds to internal and public inquiries and complaints and assists with resolutions and alternative recommendations; responds to sensitive inquiries on behalf of Parks and Recreation as appropriate.
• Regular scheduled attendance at the assigned worksite is required and performs all other duties as assigned by the Conservation Manager.

Qualifications, Experience, and/or Certifications Required

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• At least 5 years of IPM and pesticide applicator experience as a TDA Licensed Pesticide Applicator.
• 10 years of park, landscape, or grounds maintenance experience.
• Bachelors’ degree in horticulture, agronomy, natural sciences, or other related field required, any combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
• A TDA Pesticide Applicator’s License with a Landscape category is required.
• Or an equivalent combination of training and/or experience which evidences a comprehensive knowledge of required job duties and expectations.

An individual who possesses a direct threat to the health and safety of himself/herself or others in the workplace will be deemed not qualified for this position.

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Thorough knowledge of:
  • Helping in creation and implementation of sustainable landscape plans.
  • Must have intermediate to advanced experience in calibration of all pesticide application equipment including, but not limited to, spray rigs, boom sprayers, broadcasters, utility tractors and GPS enabled equipment.
  • Agronomic, horticulture, arboriculture, and soil science.
  • Agronomic practices such as aeration and top-dressing
  • Composts and other organic soil amendments
  • Fertilization and pre-emergent applications
  • Organic and low impact pest control options
  • Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices.
  • Plant and pest identification for Central Texas.
  • Irrigation and plant watering requirement.
  • Sustainable and waterwise design for ornamental beds.
  • Wildflowers, native, and adapted plants for Central Texas.
  • Best management practices for pollinator and conservation efforts.
  • Excellent communication skills both orally and in writing including use of good grammar and conveying information in a tactful, concise, and professional manner.
  • Must have polished and proven people skills with a focus of being able to interact well with a diverse population, provide excellent customer service, ability to diffuse conflict situations, and problem resolution.
  • Must demonstrate excellent leadership and teamwork skills with the ability to train, coach, and develop others.
  • Ability to prioritize, plan and organize multiple tasks and proactively problem solve.
  • Techniques for dealing effectively with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• Skilled in:
• • Leading teams in successful execution of operational plans.
  • Procedural writing for operational standards in sustainable landscape management and horticulture.
  • Soil analysis and plant health diagnostics.
  • Planning, organizing, directing, and coordinating the work of management, supervisory, professional, and technical personnel; delegating authority and responsibilities.
  • Solutions development for challenges that arise in management of plant/tree inventory for parks and rights-of-way.
  • Training and development of others in the field of horticulture.
  • Building and managing operational schedules.
  • Creating work plans and work orders.
  • Inventory management and creating/adhering to internal controls.
  • Landscape contract management.
  • Conducting effective negotiations; representing the City and the department in meetings with governmental agencies, contractors, vendors, and various businesses, professional, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
  • Analyzing problems, identifying alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implementing recommendations in support of goals.
  • Using tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and legal guidelines in politically sensitive situations.
  • Preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
  • Making accurate arithmetic, financial and statistical computations.
  • Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

The physical, mental demands, and working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical/Mental Demands:
Must possess ability to walk, stand, kneel, bend, and sit for prolonged periods. Must be able to lift at least 60 lbs. on a consistent basis. Will occasionally be required to work on evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Working Environment:?
Must possess ability to work in a extreme weather conditions with exposure to hot and cold weather conditions. Requires the use of heavy and loud machinery. Position requires exposure to chemicals that may be harmful without use of proper PPE. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Employment with the City of Kyle is contingent upon the outcome of record checks and verifications including, but not limited to, criminal history, driving records, education records, employment verifications, reference checks, and employment eligibility verifications. Selected candidates for positions will be subject to a background investigation and to pre-employment drug screen, depending on the position, may require a physical assessment upon a conditional job offer.