Description

The Central Life Sciences (CLS) business unit of Central Garden & Pet is dedicated to improving the health, well-being, and the protection of companion animals, economic animals, plants, stored grains and the environment. We are actively seeking a Technical Services Entomologist to provide field support to our Professional sales groups with primary focus on the Vector & PCO business verticals. The position will also provide support to Vector & PCO distributors, partners, mosquito control districts and their technical directors. The Technical Services Entomologist will also assist in supporting the development of new products via field research and in house studies.

MEASURES OF SUCCESS

• Train and communicate with sales team members, distributors, distribution company personnel and technical directors on proper use of CLS mosquito (adulticides and larvicides) control and professional pest control products.
• Prepare Integrated Pest Management programs and provide recommendations and plans specific to individual operations, as needed.
• Attend and present product information, data, recommendations and plans at internal meetings as well as customer and industry events and conferences.
• Attend applicable scientific based meetings/conferences to stay abreast of current research being conducted in the field, gain information on new technology and competitive product knowledge.
• Travel with sales team members to provide support at meetings, field days, and commercial and site visits.
• Become familiar with product labels, product use recommendations, active ingredients and application knowledge for the vector and pest control industry.
• Investigate and troubleshoot field product failures and provide support and communicate findings back to stakeholders.
• Participate in the generation of new product development.
• Review research and write/publish industry white papers.

IDEAL CANDIDATE ATTRIBUTES

• Education: Required: MS or PhD (preferred) in Entomology, Biology, or related field with an emphasis in Pest control and or Vector (mosquito control).
• 3-5 years experience in vector or pest control industry with MS. 2-4 years with Ph.D.
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing and participate in a team environment.
• Proficiency in public speaking and presentation skills to present data to scientific and non-scientific audiences.
• Ability to observe phenomena, analyze their significance, correlate their parameters, interpret their meaning, and to recommend further action or direction.
• Computer competency especially in MS Word, MS Excel, and MS PowerPoint.
• Ability to plan, prioritize, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Knowledge of, or ability to learn life cycles of key pest species.
• Flexibility and willingness to adapt to changing schedules.
• This position requires an exceptionally high degree of creativity and innovation in implementing existing technologies and adapting new ones. The complexities of product design and evaluation require special insight gained from years of training and experience. A high degree of concentration is also required to achieve desirable results.
• Competence in mathematics is of considerable importance. Algebraic calculations are routinely involved and must be exact and free of error. Knowledge of the fundamentals of chemistry is required, particularly active ingredients used in insecticides.
• Verbal and written communication skills - must lucidly convey complex aspects of formulation design and function.
• Ability to use computer office systems and applications effectively is required. Effective problem-solving skills are often required when developing IPM programs.
• Familiar with the use of application equipment, mixing equipment, and other practices common to the industry
• Knowledge or ability and willingness to learn about application equipment systems, including but not limited to pesticidal spray/fogging equipment applied by hand, ground and aerial.
• Travel will be required. Approximately 60 - 70%.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• The position involves the occasional operation of large equipment. Physical exertion commensurate to the operation of such equipment and ability to move as much as 50 pounds of materials are requisite.
• Standard procedures must be carefully followed in working with potentially hazardous equipment and chemicals. Most equipment has fast moving parts (e.g. mixers), sharp edges (e.g. rotary mills), involves high pressure (e.g. compactor and presses), and the like. Appreciation for safe handling of flammable liquids, compressed gases, and chemicals is required.
• Work hours are divided between travel, on location field sites, office and the laboratory. Much time is spent in travel. Computer and deskwork are required in preparing reports, recommendations, presentations and other supporting documents. Safety apparel is required in the lab or production areas, i.e. safety glasses (always), lab coat, gloves, and dust masks (as appropriate).

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