Spray Technician

Duties

• Applies herbicides and insecticides using various spray equipment, ensuring compliance with label instructions and safety protocols. • Identifies weeds, diagnoses plant diseases and pest issues, and determines appropriate treatment methods. • Prepares, mixes, and applies herbicides and insecticides to manage weed, pest, and ornamental plant concerns effectively.• Operates and maintains landscape equipment, including boom sprayers, tractors, electric sprayers, pickup truck-mounted sprayers, front-end loaders, mowers, rototillers, aerators, and edgers.• Conducts routine maintenance and repairs on spray equipment, including nozzles, pumps, meters, connections, tanks, and seals.• Investigates and responds to public inquiries and complaints related to pest and weed control.• Identifies safety hazards and implements necessary precautions during spray operations.• Maintains accurate records of chemical applications, including products used, application rates, and locations.• Leads or instructs employees assisting with spray operations and other departmental tasks.• Performs landscape maintenance duties as required. • Works independently and collaboratively as part of a team.• May be required to work outside regular hours, including nights, weekends, holidays, and during emergency situations.• Wears and maintains required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in accordance with control product labels. Knowledge of procedures, techniques, and equipment used for mosquito, weed, aquatic weed, invasive plant, and pest control.• Understanding of aquatic weed biology with the ability to identify desirable and undesirable species.• Knowledge of herbicides, pesticides, and other chemicals used in vegetation and pest management.• Knowledge of common indigenous pests, aquatic plants, invasive species, and undesirable weeds.• Awareness of general water and air pollution standards related to chemical applications.• Proficiency in operating and maintaining various types of spray equipment and related apparatus.• Ability to perform maintenance and repairs on applicator and spray equipment, including nozzles, pumps, meters, connections, tanks, and seals.• Strong interpersonal skills to address public inquiries and complaints in a courteous, professional, and tactful manner.• Ability to identify safety hazards and implement appropriate precautions during spray operations.• Competence in operating a range of equipment, including light to heavy vehicles, tools, and machinery such as backhoes, loaders, chainsaws, tractors, ATVs with 25-gallon electric sprayers and boom sprayers, UTVs with 100-gallon sprayers, and pickup trucks with 200-gallon sprayers.

Minimums

High school diploma or equivalent (Education will be verified) and one (1) year of experience in the application of herbicides; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Valid Florida Commercial Driver’s License, Class “B” with tanker endorsement.

How to apply

Special Certifications and Licenses: Florida Public or Commercial Restricted Use Pesticide Applicators license with certification in one or more of the following categories: Aquatic Weed Control, Right-of-Way Pest Control, Ornamental and Turf Pest Control, Natural Areas Weed Management.Limited Lawn & Ornamental and Right-of-Way Certifications, or the ability to obtain both within six months of employment.Ability to obtain intermediate temporary traffic control certification (formerly MOT) within six (6) months from date of employment. Supplemental Information:Physical Standards Required to Perform Essential Job Duties:The position supervises or performs moderate to heavy work in all types of weather. The employee is required to walk, climb, stand, stoop, and must be able to lift, push and move up to 50 lbs. and perform other similar actions during the course of the workday. Specific vision abilities this job requires include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The employee must be able to wear gloves, safety glasses, goggles, a respirator, and safety shoes/boots. Works inside and outside may be periodically exposed to extreme temperatures, animals/insects, confined spaces, electrical and mechanical hazards, heights, noises, dust, fumes, vapors, and other respiratory irritants.