OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST III - 64853398

Requisition No: 843712 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST III - 64853398

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 64853398 

Salary:  $21.00 hourly 

Posting Closing Date: 01/07/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

OPEN COMPETITIVE

Work Location: DeFuniak Springs, FL

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Follows guidance of and maintains expert knowledge of the contents of the Florida Rabies Guidebook and 64D-3FAC and its respective updates as they occur from the CDC and the State of Florida related to rabies control and prevention.
• Receives and maintains Animal Bite Reports from ESSENCE visits of interest (VOI), Animal Control, Veterinarians, Medical Clinicians or Facilities, and the General Public.
• Conducts thorough and complete Rabies Case interviews and investigations. May be required to make on site/home visits before, during, and after hours.
• Establishes contact with the bite victim, animal owner, animal control, veterinarians, and/or medical facilities, and conducts timely, thorough, and accurate interviews and investigations.
• Collects pertinent case data, documents findings in Merlin (state reporting database), maintains bite records.
• Develops plan of action for victim and if necessary, the animal based on interviews and investigative findings.
• Recommends or makes determinations for Rabies PEP, animal quarantine/observation, and may conduct animal quarantine observation and conclude quarantine observation of animal.
• Provides extensive rabies education to bite victim, animal owner, and/or the public.
• Responsible for animal collection, proper specimen storage, laboratory order processing, and must maintain competency for specimen packaging and shipping.
• Will be required to perform “on call” duties in the Rabies program before, during, and after business hours. Call may be rotated.
• Responsible for maintaining a CHD assigned phone for Rabies program duties and on call hours.
• Responsible for maintaining local veterinarian and animal control employee records for rabies “Pre-Exposure” vaccination and titers and arranges follow up immunization visits and lab work as indicated by the CDC for Vets and Animal control to maintain protection while working with high-risk animals.
• May perform “other duties as assigned” within the scope of Epidemiology such as case reporting, interview, and investigation of communicable diseases as needed.

     Knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Applies surveillance protocols and data collection techniques for disease monitoring and investigation.
• Utilizes appropriate terminology, principles, and techniques used in epidemiological research, analysis, data collection, and data management.
• Compiles, organizes, and analyzes data for the purpose of monitoring and evaluating communicable diseases.
• Applies principles of good ethical/legal practices as it relates to data collection, dissemination, and use during the investigation process.
• Complies with, and applies knowledge of privacy and confidentiality laws, including compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA), local, and state privacy laws always.
• Able to work independently or within a team setting. 
• Communicates effectively in a written, oral, and/or electronic form using clear, audience targeted, language specific, culturally competent manner.
• May develop or deliver educational or data presentations.
• Utilizes critical thinking and problem-solving techniques.
• Effectively organizes work and work priorities to ensure timely, accurate, and thorough completion of work assignments.
• Ability to type 40 words per minute, to use desktop computer and/or laptop.
• Ability to use and navigate the Microsoft suite of computer programs including, Outlook, EXCEL, Word.
• Ability to record time worked accurately and timely. May be required to work at DOH Walton branch locations to conduct disease investigations and/or interviews.

Qualifications:

Licensure/registration/certification/education requirements:

• Maintains current and unencumbered Driver's License
• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the biological sciences.
• Minimum Experience Preferred: 2 or more years of experience conducting communicable disease surveillance and investigations in a public health setting.
• Spanish interpretation in a professional capacity is also preferred. 

Florida Department of Health Mission, Vision, and Values

MISSION : 

To protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, & community efforts.

VISION :

To be the Healthiest State in the Nation

VALUES (ICARE) :

I nnovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely.

C ollaboration: We use teamwork to achieve common goals & solve problems.

A ccountability: We perform with integrity & respect.

R esponsiveness: We achieve our mission by serving our customers & engaging our partners.

E xcellence: We promote quality outcomes through learning & continuous performance improvement.

Where you will work:

The primary work location for this position is located in DeFuniak Springs, FL. You may be required to work at other locations including the Coastal Branch, and Paxton. 

Other job-related requirements for this position:

Incumbent may be required to work before, during and/or beyond normal work hours or days in the event of an emergency.  Emergency duty required of the incumbent includes working in special needs or Red Cross shelters, or performing other emergency duties including, but not limited to, responses to or threats involving any disaster or threat of disaster, man-made or natural.

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. As an OPS employee, the benefits below are available:

• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (mandatory)
• Participation in state group insurance (upon meeting eligibility requirements.  Consult with People First and/or the serving HR office)
• Workers’ Compensation (mandatory, if needed)
• Reemployment Assistance (Unemployment Compensation) (mandatory, if needed)
• Deferred Compensation (voluntary)
• Employee Assistance Program (voluntary)
• And more!

For a more complete list of benefits, including monthly costs, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

Please be advised:

Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process.  

 This position requires a security background check and/or drug screening and participation in direct deposit. Any misrepresentations or omissions will disqualify you from employment consideration. Note: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) in order to conduct this background check Successful completion of a drug test is a condition of employment for safety-sensitive positions.

Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov 

 If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida.  Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement. 

The successful candidate will be required to complete the Form I-9 and that information will be verified using the E-Verify system.  E-Verify is operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration to verify employment eligibility.   

Incumbents may be required to perform emergency duty before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. 

 Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-877-562-7287). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation. 

 The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act. 

Florida has the third largest population of veterans in the nation with more than 1.5 million service men and women.  The Florida Department of Health (department) is committed to serving members of the United States Armed Forces, veterans and their families by encouraging them to apply for vacancies that fit their area of knowledge and/or expertise.  Through the Department's VALOR program, which expedites licensing for military veterans, the Department also waives initial licensing and application fees for military veterans who apply for a health care professional license within 60 months of an honorable discharge. These initiatives help ensure that the transition from military service into the workforce is as smooth as possible and reflects our appreciation for the dedication devoted to protecting our country.    

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.