Summary Under the direction of the Director, the Operations Manager plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates the District's mosquito control field operations and the operational components of arbovirus surveillance. The position manages personnel, treatment activities, equipment, safety, projects, and resources within approved policies and budgets. Working with laboratory personnel and other departments, the Operations Manager translates surveillance findings and scientific recommendations into effective field activities that protect public health and minimize adverse environmental impacts. The primary responsibility is management of the Operations Department. The position exercises independent judgment within delegated authority, supports the District's strategic objectives, and promotes respect, trust, open communication, accountability, and responsible use of public resources. Supervisory Responsibilities Provides direct and indirect supervision of the Field Operations Supervisor, lead personnel, mosquito control technicians, part-time spray technicians, and other employees assigned under the approved organizational structure. Directs work through supervisors and leads while remaining accountable for department performance. Participates in selection decisions and makes documented recommendations regarding hiring, promotion, discipline, and separation in coordination with the Director and Finance & HR Manager. Duties and Performance Requirements The following duties describe the position's principal responsibilities. Related duties may be assigned when consistent with the position's purpose and the employee's qualifications. 1. Operational Planning and Mosquito Control

• Develop and implement daily, seasonal, annual, and long-range operational plans consistent with the District's approved budget, strategic plan, and integrated mosquito management program.
• Direct inspection, source reduction, biological control, larviciding, and adulticiding activities, including part-time ultra-low volume (ULV) spray operations and assigned drainage or habitat-management work.
• Set treatment priorities using surveillance results, mosquito species and abundance, disease indicators, weather, site conditions, and approved treatment thresholds. Adjust staffing, routes, equipment, and methods as conditions change.
• Oversee District-authorized drone activities and coordinate any contracted aerial services, as assigned. Verify operational readiness and coordination with qualified pilots while respecting the pilot in command's flight-safety authority. 2. Surveillance and Treatment Effectiveness
• Coordinate field surveillance, trap servicing, larval sampling, sentinel animal care, and specimen collection or transport with laboratory personnel. Ensure staff follow approved protocols and deliver complete, timely field information.
• Work with entomologists, biologists, and other designated scientific staff to evaluate treatment results, insecticide resistance, chemical selection, application methods, and potential non-target impacts. Implement approved changes and verify follow-up in the field.
• Evaluate chemical use and control methods for both effectiveness and total cost, including labor, equipment, fuel, and repeat treatments. Support field trials and equipment calibration; laboratory testing and scientific protocols remain with appropriately assigned scientific personnel. 3. Personnel Management and Employee Development
• Establish performance expectations; assign responsibilities; monitor work quality, productivity, attendance, and conduct; conduct timely evaluations; and address deficiencies with appropriate coaching and documentation.
• Oversee job-specific onboarding, field training, cross-training, continuing education, and development of supervisors and leads. Verify employee competency, licensing, and authorization before assigning regulated or specialized work.
• Review staffing coverage, time records, leave requests, and overtime within delegated authority. Coordinate proposed changes affecting regular schedules, pay practices, or employment policies with the Director and Finance & HR Manager before implementation.
• Apply District policies consistently and respectfully. Address employee concerns promptly, involve Human Resources as appropriate, and communicate operational decisions and expectations across departments. 4. Budget, Inventory, Equipment, and Projects
• Develop operational budget requests and cost estimates with the Director and Finance & HR Manager. Monitor expenditures and explain significant variances; authorize purchases only within approved budgets and delegated purchasing authority.
• Oversee pesticide, fuel, equipment, and supply inventories. Reconcile usage with activity records, investigate discrepancies, forecast needs, and coordinate timely procurement, secure storage, and appropriate disposal.
• Develop and maintain a rolling five-year equipment replacement plan with affected departments. Evaluate equipment condition, utilization, maintenance history, lifecycle costs, and replacement priorities.
• Coordinate preventive maintenance, repairs, calibration, and readiness of vehicles, spray systems, drones, and assigned equipment with maintenance personnel. Manage assigned projects and contractors for scope, schedule, safety, quality, and budget; obtain required approvals before changes. 5. Regulatory Compliance and Workplace Safety
• Ensure assigned activities comply with applicable provisions of Chapter 388, Florida Statutes; Chapter 5E-13, Florida Administrative Code; pesticide labels; permit conditions; and other applicable requirements. Verify required permissions and restrictions for protected or environmentally sensitive lands.
• Oversee implementation of the District's approved Safety Program in coordination with the Director, department managers, Human Resources, and Safety Committee. Submit proposed policy changes through the established approval process.
• Verify safe pesticide handling, storage, transport, application, and disposal; equipment inspections; staff training; and use of appropriate personal protective equipment. Coordinate applicable heat, noise, respiratory, vehicle, and field-safety protections.
• Stop or suspend unsafe or noncompliant activities within delegated authority. Promptly report and document injuries, spills, near misses, equipment hazards, and other incidents; coordinate investigations and corrective action with the appropriate District personnel. 6. Records, Reporting, and Public Service
• Ensure accurate, timely inspection, surveillance, pesticide application, equipment, inventory, safety, and personnel records. Maintain operational maps and electronic records, and provide information required for regulatory reports, audits, and records requests.
• Prepare operational summaries, performance reports, cost analyses, and presentations for the Director and Board of Commissioners as assigned. Communicate emerging risks, service gaps, and resource needs promptly.
• Ensure timely investigation and resolution of service requests and operational complaints. Coordinate public notices and educational information with designated outreach personnel; refer media, legal, personnel, and scientific questions outside delegated authority to the appropriate representative. 7. Emergency Readiness and Program Improvement
• Maintain operational readiness for storms, flooding, disease-related response, and other emergencies. Coordinate staffing, supplies, equipment protection, continuity of service, and recovery activities under the Director's direction.
• Monitor treatment outcomes, response times, costs, equipment downtime, training, and record accuracy. Evaluate trends in context, recommend improvements, and implement approved changes. Provide occasional field assistance during unusual workloads or emergencies without displacing the position's primary management responsibility. Minimum Qualifications
• A bachelor's degree in entomology, biology, environmental science, public health, public administration, business administration, or a closely related field is preferred. Related education does not replace the required supervisory experience or legally required credentials.
• Three (3) years of supervisory experience leading a team.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in mosquito control or closely related public-health vector control operations.
• Experience planning fieldwork, supervising employees, implementing mosquito surveillance or treatment programs, maintaining operational records, and coordinating equipment and resource needs.
• Or a combination of 10 years of management/supervisory experience in place of a bachelor's degree. Licenses, Certifications, and Training
• Maintain a valid driver's license appropriate to assigned vehicles, obtain a Florida driver's license within the legally required timeframe, and maintain a driving record acceptable under District vehicle-insurance requirements.
• Possess a Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Public Health Pest Control license, or obtain it within six (6) months of employment. Before licensure, perform only duties and supervised activities allowed by applicable requirements. Maintain required continuing education and renewals.
• Obtain and maintain any additional pesticide categories, FAA credentials, or other qualifications legally required for assigned work before performing that work. Aerial or drone application assignments must also comply with the District's applicable operational authorizations.
• Complete required District safety and job-specific training. Florida mosquito control experience, GIS/mapping skills, and relevant advanced mosquito-control training are preferred. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Knowledge of mosquito biology, breeding habitats, surveillance methods, integrated mosquito management, pesticide application practices, resistance management, and applicable operational requirements.
• Ability to lead multiple teams, delegate effectively, resolve problems, exercise sound judgment, and make timely decisions using operational and scientific information.
• Working knowledge of budgeting, purchasing, inventory controls, equipment maintenance planning, project coordination, and program evaluation.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel, and the ability to use District work-order, mapping, GPS, GIS, and reporting systems. Ability to prepare clear written reports and deliver effective presentations.
• Ability to build professional relationships and handle sensitive information appropriately while meeting applicable public-records obligations.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements Work is performed in an office, vehicles, workshops, and field locations, including wet or uneven terrain. Field assignments may involve heat, humidity, rain, insects, wildlife, noise, moving equipment, fuels, and pesticides. Protective equipment and safe work practices are required as appropriate to the task. Essential activities include using computers and communication equipment, driving, conducting field inspections, and communicating safety instructions. Occasional field support may require standing, walking, bending, kneeling, reaching, and moving supplies or equipment weighing up to fifty (50) pounds, using lifting aids or assistance when appropriate. The District will consider reasonable accommodations to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Work Schedule Works the District's established schedule and adjusts hours as necessary for operational coverage, early-morning or evening treatments, meetings, and emergencies. Weekend, holiday, or on-call assignments may be required under District policy. Overnight travel for training or professional meetings may occasionally be required. Acknowledgment This description identifies the general nature and level of work; it does not list every task or create an employment contract. Duties may be modified consistent with District needs and applicable law. The employee's signature acknowledges receipt and discussion of the position's responsibilities.

Pay:

$80,000.00 - $92,500.00 per year

Benefits:

Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off Retirement plan Vision insurance

Education:

Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:

supervisory / team leading: 3 years (Required) mosquito control or related public-health vector control: 5 years (Required)

License/Certification:

drivers license with a clean driving record (Required)

Work Location:

In person