SOS Vector Surveillance Technician
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human services is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Vector Surveillance Technician to help process and manage mosquito samples, tick surveillance, and help with questions, education, and presentation on vector-borne disease.
THIS IS A TEMPORARY ROLE EXPECTED TO START in 05/2025 AND END 10/2025.
Job Duties:
Sorting and processing mosquito samples for arbovirus testing
Managing the submission of mosquito samples to NPHL for testing
Assisting with tick surveillance activities across the state
Individuals may help with responding to public questions/inquiries regarding West Nile Virus (WNV) and/or other vector-borne diseases
Training local health department personnel on conducting vector surveillance
Participating in public presentations/education regarding vector-borne disease surveillance in Nebraska
Other duties as assigned.
Requirements / Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications: Experience performing laboratory bench procedures in a chemical environmental, microbiological, or biological laboratory OR Post high school coursework/training in laboratory bench techniques, biology, microbiology, or other biological/life sciences.
Preferred Qualifications: Experience with insect identification with the use of dichotomous keys and the use of a microscope. Experience with taxonomy for other animal groups can substitute for the insect identification preference.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of: laboratory safety and sanitation; laboratory bench techniques; principles of chemistry or biology; the metric system of measurements; chemical, biological, or microbiological terminology; laboratory practices.
Ability to: operate laboratory equipment; identify chemical or biological substances through or for laboratory testing and analysis; fill out forms; follow oral and written instructions; calculate solutions to arithmetical problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, decimals, fractions, and percentages.