Brandon Ball

Dear Colleague:

Please join us for the 2011 training conference of the Pennsylvania Vector Control Association on November 16-18, 2011 at the Ramada Conference Center, 1450 South Atherton Street, State College, PA 16801.

Fee structure for this conference is as follows:

• Class 1 – Non-license and public license attendee                               $120.00
• Class 2 – Commercial license without exhibit or presentation             $175.00
• Class 3 – Commercial license with exhibit and/or presentation            $300.00
• Class 4 – Additional commercial license(s) from same company        $120.00

 This fee will include Wednesday – Friday breaks, and a Thursday lunch banquet at the hotel.  Please pre-register by mailing or e-mailing a separate registration form with the name and complete mailing address for each attendee to me at the above address by November 4, 2011.  (To speed up registration at the door, please mail your registration check payable to “PVCA” prior to the conference, if possible.)  If attaching a business card to the registration form, complete only the items not on your card.

 EXHIBITORS:  For those pre-registering to exhibit and give an exhibitor presentation, time has been set aside on Wednesday to introduce your company and your products.  There will be ample time during the three-day event to speak with individuals.  Please complete the enclosed registration form and return on or before November 4, 2011.  If not pre-registered, we cannot guarantee exhibit space or presentation time.   

 A complimentary breakfast buffet is served for hotel guests in P.J.Harrigan’s restaurant on weekdays.  Room rates are $75.00 per night plus applicable taxes.  We have a block of rooms reserved ONLY until November 4.  You must make your own reservation with the Ramada Conference Center by that date, or you will not be guaranteed a room. Even if you have not received approval to attend, you are encouraged to reserve a room.  You can always cancel the reservation if you do not receive final approval. Be sure to ask for the “PVCA meeting (Group Code: VCTR)” when you make your reservation, to be assured of obtaining the above rate.  The Ramada Conference Center phone number is (814) 238-3001.  Please remember, in order to receive reduced fees for the hotel facilities for the conference, we must guarantee a minimum number of rooms. Please plan to stay at the Ramada Conference Center.

 Continuing Education Credits for PA Pesticide Applicators licenses will be issued by the PA Department of Agriculture.  Please bring your license with you if you wish to receive credits.

 Please complete the attached registration form, and/or exhibitor registration form, and return it to me by November 4, 2011.  Please note any special needs you may have on the reservation form.

We look forward to seeing you at State College!

Sincerely,

 Carmen L. Reichard,

Secretary – PVCA

2011 PVCA Registration Form Link

2011 PVCA Agenda (Updated Nov 7, 2011)

The 2011 PVCA annual conference will be held at the Ramada Inn, State College, PA on November 16, 17, and 18 (Wed-Fri).  Please stay tuned for more information as the year progresses.

Job Description

Entomological Suppression Technician

This is a Temporary Full Time Position (April through November, 2011)

Berks County Conservation District

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: Responsible for implementing mosquito control and Integrated Mosquito Management (IMM) throughout Berks County. Key duties include fieldwork, data collection and data entry, mosquito control activities, and coordination with neighboring counties and Pennsylvania (PA) Department of Environmental Protection staff.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Prepare annual PA DEP West Nile Virus Project applications.
2. As applicable in concert with District Manager, coordinate activities of summer interns assigned to insect- related programs.
3. Collect and submit mosquito samples on dry ice for virus isolation.
4. Provide updates on the IMM program to print and broadcast media.
5. Provide all required program notifications to the public prior to the application of insect eradication agents.
6. Conduct comprehensive field studies and monitoring on the abundance, distribution, and life stage of mosquitoes as relates to effective treatment in Berks County. Mosquito surveillance efforts should reflect current specifications detailed in PA Department of Environmental Protection West Nile Virus Grants Scope of Work.
7. Develop and conduct an effective mosquito larviciding program that specifically targets known vectors of West Nile Virus, particularly Culex species, while maintaining accurate records according to the PA Department of Agriculture regulations. Develops a surveillance plan to include monitoring and surveillance of all wastewater treatment plants located within the county.
8. Develop response strategies to positive mosquito, equine, and human test results. These plans should include mosquito surveillance and control operations. Results of the response activities should be relayed to appropriate PA Department of Environmental Protection staff as they are collected.
9. Assist regional Department of Environmental Protection staff when mosquito adulticide operations are planned within Berks County.
10. Conduct pre- and post-treatment monitoring of mosquito treatment locations and maps mosquito production areas.
11. Enter all collected data into the West Nile Virus control website and correctly ships biological samples to PA Department of Environmental Protection’s lab in Harrisburg, PA.
12. Cooperate with adjoining county mosquito personnel and communicate treatment strategies and operations.
13. Assist with countywide West Nile Virus Educational Programs as directed by supervisor.
14. Attend all meetings provided by the PA Department of Environmental Protection. Additional training opportunities may be scheduled and the employee should attend these sessions as directed by supervisor.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Serve on District committees as a volunteer or as appointed.
2. Prepare articles for newsletter or annual report summaries as requested.
3. Attend staff, team, and other meetings as required.
4. Other duties as assigned by the District Manager or Conservation District Board of Directors.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
1. Bachelor’s Degree required in any of the following areas: Entomology, Environmental Resource Management, Biology or a closely related field
2. Currently possess or be able to acquire a PA Department of Agriculture Pesticide Applicator’s License

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
1. Physical ability to walk and work in heavily wooded areas and in wet areas.
2. Valid driver’s license
3. Ability to operate a motor vehicle and read road maps to travel to project and collection sites.
4. Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
5. Ability to identify larval, pupal and adult mosquitoes
6. Ability to transport and set up equipment in isolated areas
7. Ability to read and understand label directions for the application on insect eradication agents
8. Ability to follow all requirements of contractual obligations between the District and any assigned state agency
9. Good attendance and punctuality in meeting assigned program tasks

WORKING ENVIRONMENT: There is a possibility that this position may turn into full time and would involve working with other District programs. More than half of the work for this position is expected to be carried out in the field. This position description serves as a guideline for communication of the essential functions and other information about the position to the applicant/employee. It is not intended to create a binding employment contract nor cover every detail of the position and may be changed by the District Manager of Berks County Conservation District Board of Directors.

CONTACT

The new PA DEP NPDES permit covering aquatic pesticide applications will be published for comment in the December 25 edition of the Pennsylvania Bulletin.  Between 12/25 and 1/1, you can view the 12/25 edition of the Pennsylvania Bulletin online at http://www.pabulletin.com/

Agencies that will be impacted by this new permit are encouraged to review the proposed permit and provide public comment.

WV Department of Health and Human Resources, Division of Infectious Disease Epidemiology:  As Public Health Entomologist, this position is responsible for developing and maintaining surveillance for vectors (insects and ticks) of arthropod-borne diseases.  This position is also responsible for providing expert advice and consultation to local health departments and state agencies on identifying and controlling the vectors of arthropod-borne diseases in West Virginia, including appropriate use of pesticides and repellents.  Periodic travel to regional or national scientific meetings for entomology and epidemiology is expected.  Knowledge of arthropod vectors and methods of control and public health principles is required.  See West Virginia Division of Personnel online posting for complete information.   Apply online at: http://www.state.wv.us/admin/personnel. 

Then click on:

-Staffing Services Section (bottom of page)

-Jobs Open for Application (top left of page)

-Go to Page 2; Epidemiologist 2 – Entomologist (Closing Date- 11/23/2010)

Hello everyone.  Registration documents are now available for download for the 2010 conference at the Ramada Inn in State College, PA. Links for download are at the end of this post.

Here’s a message from your Secretary:

Dear Colleague:

Please join us for the 2010 training conference of the Pennsylvania Vector Control Association on November 15-17, 2010 at the Ramada Conference Center, 1450 South Atherton Street, State College, PA 16801.

Fee structure for this conference is as follows:

• Class 1 – $120.00 – Non-license and public license attendee
• Class 2 – $175.00 – Commercial license without exhibit or presentation
• Class 3 – $300.00 – Commercial license with exhibit and/or presentation
• Class 4 – $120.00 – Additional commercial license(s) from same company

This fee will include Monday-Wednesday breaks, and a Tuesday lunch banquet at the hotel.  Please pre-register by mailing or e-mailing a separate registration form with the name and complete mailing address for each attendee to me at the above address by October 29, 2010.  (To speed up registration at the door, please mail your registration check prior to the conference, if possible.)  If attaching a business card to the registration form, complete only the items not on your card.

EXHIBITORS:  For those pre-registering to exhibit and give an exhibitor presentation, time has been set aside on Wednesday to introduce your company and your products.  There will be ample time during the three-day event to speak with individuals.  Please complete the enclosed registration form and return on or before October 29, 2010.  If not pre-registered, we cannot guarantee exhibit space or presentation time.   

A complimentary breakfast buffet is served for hotel guests in the restaurant on weekdays from 6:30 am – 10:00 am.  All room rates are $75.00 per night + 8 ½ % occupancy tax.  We have a block of rooms reserved ONLY until October 29.  You must make your own reservation with the Ramada Conference Center by that date, or you will not be guaranteed a room. Even if you have not received approval to attend, you are encouraged to reserve a room.  You can always cancel the reservation if you do not receive final approval. Be sure to ask for the “PVCA room block” when you make your reservation, to be assured of obtaining the above rate.  The Ramada Conference Center phone number is (814) 238-3001.  Please remember, in order to receive reduced fees for the hotel facilities for the conference, we must guarantee a minimum number of rooms. Please plan to stay at the Ramada Conference Center.

Attached is a preliminary agenda for the conference.  If there are any changes, an updated agenda will be posted on the website. Continuing Education Credits for PA Pesticide Applicators licenses will be issued by the PA Department of Agriculture.  Please bring your license with you if you wish to receive credits.

 Please complete the attached registration form, and/or exhibitor registration form, and return it to me by October 29, 2010.  Please note any special needs you may have on the reservation form.

We look forward to seeing you at State College!

Sincerely,

Carmen L. Reichard, Secretary – PVCA

PVCA 2010 Registration Form

PVCA 2010 Agenda as of 10-5-2010

PVCA 2010 Conference Notice

The 2010 annual PVCA conference is coming soon. Dates for this year are November 15, 16, and 17. This is a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and different from the Wed/Thu/Fri we’ve done in past years. Unfortunately, with the drop in attendance due to various agency budgetary constraints, we had to yield our normal end of the week time slot to a larger group.

Location is at the Ramada Inn, State College, PA. Click here to visit their website.

An agenda has been added to this posting and revised as of 10-4-2010.

Click here to download –> PVCA agenda 9-27-10

Rodent infestation closes Capitol cafeteria
By DAVID WENNER, The Patriot-News
December 17, 2009, 5:59PM

The cafeteria at the state Capitol was shut down today — right after lunch, no
less — because of rodent infestation and other health issues. The state
Department of Agriculture found the violations during a routine inspection,
spokesman Justin Fleming said.

The most serious issue involved droppings indicating the presence of live mice.
“There were mouse droppings around the facility too numerous to mention,”
Fleming said.

Full story here:
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2009/12/rodent_infestation_closes_capi.html

I am currently working on migrating the old PVCA website to this new layout.  This will definitely make things easier to manage on the back end.  Hopefully, the new interface will be sufficiently pleasing to the user. Le me know what you think.

Sincerely,

Mr. Webmaster