A Bay Area native, Walter began his career with the District in the spring of 2015 as a Vector Control Aide II working with the Aedes aegypti team. He was hired on as a permanent Vector Control Technician in October 2015.

Walter’s public sector background includes several years with the Alameda County Agriculture Pest Detection Program and as a park ranger with San Mateo County Parks. In the private sector he worked in video production/multi-media, and he has extensive marine-related experience.

He is a graduate of California State University Chico, where he received a bachelor’s degree in communications, with an option in instructional technology.  He enjoys working outdoors and being part of the District team, helping to protect public health and well-being in San Mateo County.

Walter enjoys nature, landscape photography, music, travel, and life in general.

Walter's answers to a few questions about working with the District:

What is your favorite part of your job?

I enjoy working outdoors and keeping my body moving. It feels good and rewarding helping people. I am both dedicated and proud to be a part of the SMCMVCD team supporting public health and safety within our communities.  I particularly enjoy helping people with rodent service requests – finding entry points, giving advice, and pointing people in the direction of resolve with rodent-associated issues.

What is something you wish everyone knew about rats?

It doesn't matter how nice/expensive your house is, every home has the potential for rat/mice intrusion. Many people do not realize rats that are living under your house or in your walls may potentially be carrying parasites like fleas or tropical rat mites.  Mites are so tiny – smaller than a grain of sand – and can find their way into the home from the spaces where the rodents are living.  The mites can ravage people with tiny bites while they are sleeping. Our District can help with identifying mites and helping people figure out how to stop the mites and the bites.

What is your favorite spot/view in San Mateo County?

I’ve spent time living in the redwoods and then some years cruising/traveling abroad on my sailboat with my wife.  My favorite spots would have to be where I can be near or see the redwoods and, of course, the ocean.  There's nothing to me quite as therapeutic as seeing /smelling / feeling / sailing on the sea or hiking in the coastal redwoods of our County.

What is your favorite fact about mosquitoes?

Until I started working for the District, I did not realize that mosquitoes are the biggest killer of people worldwide! More than war, flood, famine, etc. Pretty mind blowing fact!

What is the most common overlooked type of standing water you see on properties you visit?

I think that would be miscellaneous containers people have in their yards – basically anything that can hold any amount of water. Many people do not realize that it does not take very much water for mosquitoes to breed.

Where is the most surprising place you have ever found mosquito larvae?

In a septic tank. And the tank was mine! When we first moved into our home in the redwoods, I discovered that mosquitoes were entering through a gap in my partially exposed septic tank, and we were unknowingly breeding hundreds of mosquitoes. Of course the problem has since been rectified!

Our staff are outdoorsy and love spending time in nature off the clock as well! What is your favorite hiking /camping /fishing nature spot in San Mateo County?

Well, ever since I was little, my parents started taking my brother and I camping at San Mateo County Memorial Park in the redwoods. I now live near Memorial Park in the redwoods of Pescadero.  I love living at the end of a gravel road next to a POST protected mountain, hanging out on my deck where I don't see another house, and soaking in all of the hundreds of huge redwood trees, nature, and wildlife all around me.  There are also miles of creeks, the waterfalls, the marsh, and of course the ocean, which are all nearby. It all makes my long drive to work worth it!  

What residents have to say about Walter