CLASS SPECIFICATION
Environmental Assistant

GENERAL PURPOSE
Under general supervision, assists in and performs general pesticide control functions by applying restricted and non-restricted pesticides in or around school and administrative buildings, facilities and sites; performs general gardening and maintenance work; operates medium-sized equipment to maintain and care for lawns and landscape areas; and performs related duties as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
An Environmental Assistant is responsible for assisting in and performing pesticide control functions, including mixing and applying various herbicides, insecticides and fungicides to lawns, landscaped areas and buildings to treat pest, disease and weed problems. An incumbent is also responsible for performing general gardening and maintenance work, including mowing, edging, trimming and raking lawns, spraying for control of weeds and cleaning and maintaining landscaped areas. An incumbent is responsible for learning and applying governmental regulations related to the use of pesticides and ensuring that the application of pesticides in done in an environmentally safe and effective manner.
Environmental Assistant is distinguished from Environmental Technician in that incumbents in the latter class perform the more complex and responsible pest control functions and monitor the work of Environmental Assistants.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class. There will typically be an assigned schedule for these duties.
1. Assists and participates in mixing and applying various restricted and non-restricted herbicides, insecticides and fungicides; sprays and fogs buildings, sites, facilities, lawns and landscaped areas for weed, pest and insect control; assists in fumigating buildings and facilities; inspects and monitors the health and appearance of turf, trees and shrubbery; diagnoses and treats pest, disease and weed problems; inspects buildings and grounds for harmful pests; baits, traps and disposes of rodents; levels off gopher mounds and treats burrows with restricted bait; packages, stores and disposes of pesticides and other chemicals in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
2. Performs preventive maintenance on equipment and tools and makes minor adjustments and repairs; reports the need for major repairs and maintenance.
3. Prepares and maintains detailed records regarding pesticide use, daily worksheets, equipment inspection and maintenance requests as required by state regulations; posts signs and distributes letters regarding pest control activities at District and school sites as needed.
4. Performs general gardening and maintenance work, including mowing, edging, trimming and raking lawns; spraying for control of weeds; cleaning and maintaining landscaped areas; operating gang and push mowers, tractors, rollers, skip loaders, trimmers, edgers and weed eaters; operating trucks and vehicles; may pick up litter, garbage and debris from landscaped areas.
QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
1. Methods and equipment used in pest, weed and insect control and treating plant diseases.
2. Herbicides, pesticides, fungicides and other chemicals used in grounds maintenance.
3. Application of controlled substances, poisons and sterilants and their effects on target areas, surrounding areas and humans.
4. The packaging, storage and disposal of pesticides and other chemicals.
5. Basic grounds maintenance procedures including mowing, edging, raking and weeding.
6. Safe work procedures in the use of pesticides and operation of hand and power tools and equipment.
7. Operation and maintenance of hand and power tools and equipment used in grounds keeping.
Ability to:
1. Mix and apply specialized chemicals to control and eradicate weeds, insects and other pests.
2. Recognize common plants, plant diseases and insect pests.
3. Mow, edge, rake and weed lawns and other landscaped areas.
4. Perform heavy physical labor.
5. Operate a variety of power and hand tools and light motorized equipment including tractors, power mowers, edgers and weed eaters.
6. Understand and follow oral and written directions.
7. Maintain records as required by the state and District.
8. Meet Environmental Protection Agency competency standards.
9. Work cooperatively with others.
10. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those encountered in the course of work.
Education, Training and Experience:
Graduation from high school or G.E.D. equivalent; and two years of grounds maintenance experience involving all aspects of pesticide application and rodent control.
Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:
A valid California Class C driver's license, a good driving record and the ability to maintain insurability under the District’s vehicle insurance policy.
A qualified Applicators Certificate issued by the State/County.
Upon acceptance of the District’s offer of employment, new hires may be required to complete a baseline physical examination prior to the first day of employment.
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS
The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to stand and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move over 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
Mental Demands
While performing the duties of this class, employees are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; use math and mathematical reasoning; observe and interpret situations; learn and apply new information or new skills; work under deadlines with constant interruptions; and interact with District staff and others encountered in the course of work.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The employee regularly works in extreme outside weather conditions, near moving mechanical parts and frequently works on slippery and uneven surfaces. The employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, vibration, and street/road traffic. The employee is regularly exposed to fumes and airborne particles, toxic and caustic chemicals. The noise level is frequently loud.