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CAYMAN ISLANDS GOVERNMENT
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE
Entomology Laboratory Technician
GRADE
M
SALARY RANGE
$39,732-53,436
REPORTS TO
Research Manager, MRCU
MINISTRY
Ministry of Health, Sports, Youth & Culture
1. JOB PURPOSE
To provide essential laboratory support for MRCU’s controlled operations. The role of
the Entomology Laboratory Technician is to compile daily laboratory data used for
planning mosquito control activities. This data includes species identification, species
abundance and species distribution maps. The post holder also assists in the rearing
maintenance of mosquito colonies and performing insecticide resistance testing.
2. DIMENSIONS:
All MRCU insecticide applications and physical control operations are planned and
co-ordinated based on field collected data on mosquito distribution and abundance.
This ensures that chemical applications are made only when required and thus reduces
insecticide costs and helps minimize environmental effects of chemicals. Mosquito
abundance and distribution is determined using a variety of collection techniques. All
collected material has to be sorted, counted and identified in a prompt and accurate
manner so that control operations can be planned and implemented.
3. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:
Mosquito
Identification
The post holder is required to;
1. Quickly and accurately sort, identify and count adult mosquito
specimens collected from a range of mosquito collection
devices.
2. Identify over 30 adult mosquito species based solely on
appearance without the use of mosquito identification keys or
microscope.
3. Identify non-endemic adult and larval mosquito samples using
mosquito identification keys and light microscope.
4. Identify larval samples of important disease transmitting
mosquitoes and distinguish between different species based on
key morphological features.
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5.
Mosquito
Rearing and
Colony
Maintenance
Insecticide
Resistance
testing
Data handling
and analysis
Training &
Supervision
The post holder is required to assist in the establishment of colonies of
important mosquito species for laboratory investigation. This involves;
1. Collection and hatching of eggs.
2. Daily feeding and maintenance of mosquito larvae.
3. Identification and removal of mosquito pupae.
4. Maintaining adult mosquitoes at the correct humidity and
temperature and establishing a suitable sugar feeding regime.
5. Blood feed adult female mosquitoes using artificial blood
feeders, laboratory animals or other feeding methods.
6. Prepare and maintain suitable oviposition surfaces for egg
deposition.
7.
The post holder is required to assist in setting up larval and adult
insecticide resistance tests. This involves;
1. Preparation of insecticide test solutions.
2. Accurately identifying different larval stages and transferring
them in a healthy condition to test containers.
3. Using oral aspirators to transfer adult mosquitoes to test cages in
a healthy condition.
4. Monitoring mortality throughout duration of resistance test.
5. Preparation of insecticide test solutions.
10%
The post holder is required to produce daily situation reports detailing the
abundance and distribution of all species collected. This involves;
1. Using Microsoft Access to input collection data and create
distribution maps.
2. Use Microsoft Excel to produce summary data of important
disease transmitting insects.
25%
1.
2.
3.
Other Duties
1.
2.
3.
4.
4.
Scan traps for mosquito eggs and accurately count number of
eggs and assess egg viability.
5%
The post holder is responsible for the day to day training and
supervision of the Trainee Laboratory Technician.
The post holder is required to train all new scientific staff within
the department in the correct identification of mosquito species
found in the Cayman Islands. This includes egg, larval, pupal
and adult stages.
The post holder is frequently required to assist and train visiting
scientific staff in the correct identification of endemic mosquito
species.
5%
The post holder is expected to assist Research Officers, Senior
Research Officers and other scientific staff with any
investigations or experiments they are performing.
Maintain laboratory areas as a clean and safe working
environment.
Dispose of contaminated materials according to established
protocols.
Use and maintain laboratory equipment such as analytical
balances, pH meters water baths and water purification systems.
5%
ORGANISATIONAL CHART
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DIRECTOR
MRCU
Assistant
Director (R&D)
RESEARCH
MANAGER
ENTOMOLOGY
LABORATORY
TECHNICIAN
TRAINEE LAB
TECHNICIAN*

*Proposed position
5. BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Mosquito Research & Control Unit is charged with the responsibility of
protecting residents and visitors from mosquito-borne diseases and the irritation of
mosquito biting. To achieve this, the Department employs a wide range of control
techniques under a professional regime of Integrated Pest Management, and also
conducts scientific research with the aim of increasing the efficiency and
effectiveness of control measures.
As a result, mosquito control in the Cayman Islands is a multi-disciplinary activity
combining expertise in insecticide application technology, mosquito biology and
biochemistry, molecular biology, the dynamics of water/swamp interactions, as well
as knowledge of pesticide regulatory protocols. Furthermore, control operations must
be conducted in a manner that is both environmentally responsible and beneficial to
public health. The activities of MRCU are essential in supporting the local tourist
economy and in promoting a superior quality of life in the Cayman Islands.
6. KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
A minimum of a high school diploma with Maths and English passes along with
several years’ experience working in this field is required. The post holder must
demonstrate their proficiency in mosquito taxonomy. Depending upon the candidate it
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is expected to take 2-4 years before a Trainee Laboratory Technician will achieve the
desired level of proficiency.
The post holder must be able to;
1. Identify all species of mosquitoes found in the Cayman Islands rapidly and
without need to resort to identification keys.
2. Accurately identify all life stages of unusual and/or none endemic mosquito
species using standard taxonomic keys.
3. Be familiar with established protocols for mosquito rearing and colony
maintenance.
4. Must be able to use their knowledge of mosquito taxonomy to train other
scientific staff in basic mosquito taxonomy.
5.
Work in a safe and competent manner in a laboratory environment and be
familiar with the principles of GLP.
6. Competent in the use of compound microscopes and dissecting microscopes and
able to maintain these items in reliable working condition.
7. Demonstrated oral and written communication skills.
8. Be computer literate with a strong working knowledge of the Microsoft
programmes including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
7. ASSIGNMENT AND PLANNING OF WORK
The majority of work is generated by the post holder within the context of guidelines and
annual work programs agreed with the Director. The post holder will also undertake
assignments delegated by the Director Assistant Director and other scientific staff within
the department.
8. SUPERVISION OF OTHERS
The post holder is required to supervise Trainee Laboratory technicians and may be
required to supervise visiting scientific staff and student interns.
9. OTHER WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
In addition to daily interaction with all other members of the Department, the post holder
will be in contact with visiting with scientists from overseas institutions and will be
expected to liaise with such individuals in a professional manner.
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11. DECISION MAKING AUTHORITY AND CONTROLS
The post holder will consult with the Research Manager on non-routine matters; however
he/she is expected to work independently on routine daily tasks.
11. PROBLEM/KEY FEATURES
The post requires the accurate identification and counting of mosquito trap collections as
the information provided by the post holder will directly affect MRCU control activities.
Samples need to be processed rapidly to ensure control operations are initiated in a timely
manner. Depending on season and trap location the post holder may be required to
identify up to 20,000 specimens per day.
1. WORKING CONDITIONS
A comfortable and friendly working environment; with adequate kitchen
facilities, good drinking water, coffee and tea availability, and convenient
parking. The post holder will be handling field collected material that is
potentially contaminated with biological and chemical agents.
AGREED:
JOB HOLDER
_________________________________
SIGNATURE
_________________________________
DATE
_________________________________
SUPERVISOR
_________________________________
DATE
_________________________________
DEPARTMENT HEAD
_________________________________
DATE
_________________________________
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