PRINCIPAL BIOLOGIST, MOSQUITO CONTROL
Mosquito Control
Career Family: PRINCIPAL BIOLOGIST
Principal Biologist, Mosquito Control is a state title in New Jersey's competitive civil service, which means the way in is an open exam rather than a direct appointment.
Candidates need a bachelor's degree, 3 years of relevant experience, and a professional license. Pay on the FY 2027 schedule runs $79,844 to $117,228, and state payroll currently lists about 15 people in the title, most of them at Environmental Protection.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
See every real route in, and where to apply. One agency employs it. We don't track live vacancies.
See where to apply for this title →Who employs this title
Principal Biologist, Mosquito Control appears on the State payroll at one department, Department of Environmental Protection.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Department of Environmental Protection | 15 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 15 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $109,652. The agencies employing the most are:
- Environmental Protection (15)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under the general supervision of a higher level supervisory official in the Department of Environmental Protection, plans, organizes, coordinates, performs and supervises the technical, biological, and ecological tasks involved in mosquito control activities; supervises staff and work activities; prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Prepares and supervises staff in the preparation of contract specifications to obtain aircraft services and purchase pesticides; coordinates and supervises the coordination of preparations with other agencies as required. Reviews and supervises the review and analysis of air spray, the use of equipment and biocontrol program data to determine its effects on mosquito populations. Examines and supervises the examination of pesticide and pesticide formulations, and the review of new air spray techniques. Reviews and supervises the review and assessment of the development of pesticide resistance in mosquitoes; conducts and/or supervises the conduct of investigations of the effects of air spray activities on non-target organisms. Prepares and supervises the preparation, review and evaluation of program contract development and performance. Inspects state-owned equipment for proper use and maintenance. Reviews and supervises the review of Federal, State and local government facility requirements and contractual aircraft service facility requirements. Inspects and supervises the inspection of the aircraft facilities of agencies submitting bids for air spray service contracts. May meet with mosquito control personnel of other agencies to assist in the planning, organization, and implementation of state mosquito control program operations, including, but not limited to air spray, the use of equipment, vector surveillance and biocontrol operations. Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees. Trains, supervises, and coordinates the training of seasonal employees utilized to monitor and identify mosquito populations, their stages of development, and their breeding habitats. Provides advice and information on mosquito control regulations and practices. Coordinates and supervises office activities with those of other municipal and private mosquito control or pesticide application programs. Provides surveillance information concerning suspected violations of regulations, and input regarding pesticide legislation, labeling, certification, training and licensing. Prepares and supervises the preparation of clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports containing findings, conclusions and recommendations. When required, provides testimony under oath and acts as a witness for the State at hearings and/or in court. Compiles and/or supervises the compilation, tabulation, and analyzes various types of technical data relating to the state mosquito control program operations including, but not limited to air spray, the use of equipment, vector surveillance and biocontrol program data. Sets and/or supervises the collection of samples from various traps used to monitor mosquito populations. May identify, pool and submit mosquito samples for arbovirus testing in conjunction with the state vector surveillance program(s). Prepares and/or supervises the preparation of correspondence. Supervises the maintenance of records, reports and files. Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or related units.
Education
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in one of the Biological sciences.
Experience
Three (3) years of experience in entomological or bio-chemical research, or in the application of entomological or bio-chemical principles to field investigations or chemical control of insect populations, two (2) years of which shall have been specific to mosquito populations.
License
Applicants must possess a Certified Pesticide Applicator, Commercial license, in the appropriate categories, issued by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection. Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in NJ only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of biological principles. Knowledge of the principles of entomology. Knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of mosquito control. Knowledge of the effects of pesticides upon the environment. Knowledge of pesticides, their application, and pesticide equipment. Ability to review and assess mosquito control activities. Ability to coordinate mosquito control activities with those of other units and organizations. Ability to provide advice and information on mosquito control regulations and practices. Ability to read and interpret laws, rules and regulations and apply them to specific situations. Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize, and implement projects with the unit. Ability to instruct and train subordinate employees and supervise the performance of their work. Ability to conduct and supervise field surveys and investigations. Ability to collect and evaluate data. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with other mosquito control personnel. Ability to prepare and supervise the preparation of clear, sound, accurate and informative reports, containing findings, conclusions and recommendations. Ability to supervise the maintenance of records, reports and files. Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. A Master's degree in Biology or Entomology may be substituted for one (1) year of general experience.