Job Title: Entomologist

Reports to: PRVCU Executive Director

Location: Based in San Juan, Puerto Rico with daily travel to other parts of Puerto Rico - Full-Time position

Purpose:

The Entomologist will oversee entomological aspects of the PRVCU’s laboratory and field operations (surveillance, control, mosquito identification, PCR testing for arboviruses, insecticide resistance testing, etc.). The incumbent will work closely with our Quality Assurance Specialist to ensure that our data are reliable and high quality. The Entomologist will provide entomological expertise to other teams in the PRVCU such as the Community Engagement and Education team, and other units within the Trust as needed. The incumbent will be expected to collaborate with entomologists at the CDC Dengue Branch, PR and USVI Departments of Health, academic collaborators (both resident and visiting), and industry researchers. Publishing refereed papers and writing grant proposals will also be part of the position’s responsibilities. Some international travel to Central American countries will be required, possibly on a frequent basis, and possibly for weeks/months at a time.

Key responsabilities & Duties:

The primary PRVCU project activities that the Entomologist will be responsible for are:

1. Implements an extensive aspirator-based sampling protocol for Puerto Rican homes participating in a large window screen study.

2. Provides entomological guidance to a dengue outbreak response plan throughout Puerto Rico.

3. Oversees and supports an Aedes aegypti surveillance program in Santa Ana, El Salvador, as part of a Wolbachia-based population replacement project.

4. Develops and lead a Continuing Education program for territorial holders of Puerto Rico’s Public Health Pesticide Applicator Certification (Category 9).

5. Using data from our various projects, publish peer-reviewed papers in journals relevant to vector-borne diseases and vector management.

6. Assist in training municipal vector management staff in vector management activities (ULV calibration and operation, PPE with pesticides, establishing and maintaining a surveillance program, etc.).

7. Writing an umbrella vector management plan for Puerto Rico and assisting municipalities in developing their own plans modeled on that umbrella).

8. Coordinates responses to dengue clusters as they appear in Puerto Rico.

Since our organization is going to change to meet the needs of new designations, you can expect, anticipate, and assume that your job description will change to meet these challenges.

Qualifications & Technical Jobs Requirements:

• Proven record in all phases of mosquito vector management including field, laboratory, and community approaches, regulatory and compliance, and emerging technologies.
• Laboratory management experience is a strong plus as is a proven ability to manage and lead a dispersed field team.
• Knowledge of safe pesticide use procedures, including record keeping and documentation, is required. Familiarity with CWA/NPDES permitting procedures a plus.
• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to work effectively as part of a team in a dynamic environment; comfortable and effective in influencing at all organizational levels; ability to tactfully give/receive constructive feedback.
• Fluent oral and written communication skills. Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred
• Experience using typical office productivity software, especially Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. Proficiency using ArcGIS is strongly preferred.
• A self-starter with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple simultaneous projects under strict timelines and within confidential circumstances.
• A strong work ethic, ability to maintain and model high personal, ethical, and professional standards, as well as an outgoing and positive personality.
• Must be able to work outside normal business hours including weekends.
• A valid Puerto Rico driver’s license, work authorization for the US, a PR Category 9 Pesticide Applicator Certification, and a passport allowing re-entry to the US must be either possessed or be obtained within 3 months of the employment start date

Experience & Educational Requirements:

• MSC Entomology or closely related field is the minimum, PhD is preferred.
• Five years of experience in applied vector management, particularly with Aedes aegypti. Graduate/Post-Doctoral training can count toward this requirement..
• Comply with all Human subject protection and HIPAA regulations.
• Requires evidence of HBV immunization