BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV - 64091788

Requisition No: 843008 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV - 64091788

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 64091788 

Salary:  $59,797.58 - $63,797.58 

Posting Closing Date: 01/26/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

                                                                                                                                                    JOB POSTING - OPEN COMPETITIVE

Your Specific Responsibilities:

This position serves as an epidemiologist for Baker, Bradford, Union, Hamilton, Columbia, and Putnam Counties for the Florida Department of Health. This position will conduct disease surveillance and reporting, case investigations, outbreak investigations, implementation of control measures to interrupt disease transmission or mitigate adverse health impacts, and planned studies of important public health problems as assigned counties . The incumbent utilizes public health surveillance data to improve community health through communication and collaboration. The position provides leadership, direction, and epidemiologic capacity during public health investigations, and is involved in forming partnerships to increase the capacity of the health department monitor, improve and maintain community health.

1. Reportable disease surveillance, investigation, management, and reporting.  Conducts notifiable disease surveillance, investigation, and reporting.  Interviews patients by telephone, or when necessary, conducts field visits for interviews.  Contacts physician offices, labs, hospitals, and clients in gathering information to complete a case report.  Collects specimens in the field when necessary.  Educates client, family members and contacts regarding reportable diseases, disease process and transmission and control measures.  Establishes and maintains active contact with healthcare providers; exploring innovative methods to assure accurate and complete reporting of reportable diseases and conditions.  Assists with reportable disease outbreaks/epidemics effectively utilizing County, regional, State and CDC resources.

2. Surveillance  Works to increase local capacity for disease surveillance by designing, implementing, and maintaining surveillance systems for communicable diseases using existing sources of data as well as determining new sources of incidence, prevalence, and risk factor data. Systems will rely on spatial and temporal statistical methods. GIS analysis and other appropriate methods to systematically monitor community health.  Conducts periodic monitoring and reporting on disease and risk factor trends within the county, including by not limited to the leading causes to morbidity and mortality and periodic distribution of information via internal and external reports in various formats (reports, monthly external reports).  Utilizes ESSENCE to monitor community health trends, detect ay disease or syndrome clusters and to identify additional or unreported cases of notifiable diseases through syndromic surveillance.

3. Public Health Investigations  Conducts epidemiology investigations of high priority public health issues and significant disease outbreaks, coordinating and Administrators/Medical Director, Environmental Health, Nursing Directors, and other DOH staff to investigate and respond to public health threats.  Shares responsibility for communicating with media and general public on issues of epidemiology, surveillance, and disease investigation.  Deployments to other counties at the request of County Health Systems in support of public health investigations.

4. Works closely with local healthcare agencies and other public health partners to ensure appropriate disease/infection prevention and control measures. Revised 5/10/2021

5. Provides both formal and informal training to DOH staff in community healthcare providers related to reportable disease control, surveillance, investigation, and reporting.

6. Acts as the main point of contact between the states Bureau of Epidemiology and local CHD on issues of epidemiology (surveillance and disease investigation).

7. Participates in PMC council locally in Bradford/Union and participates in meeting PHAB measures and standards related to epidemiology for Baker, Bradford, Union, Hamilton, Columbia, and Putnam Counties and provide related documentation of those activities to the counites to support standards.

8. Active participant in conducting Health Care-Associated Infection Outbreak Investigations in long term care facilities with local health department staff and partners.

9. Miscellaneous Activities.  Implement, monitor, and improve the local CHD performance snapshot core epidemiology composite performance measures.  Epidemiologic analyses and projects as assigned by County Health Department leadership.  Attends team meetings, health department staff meetings.  Participates in staff development activities.  Complete timesheets travel request/reimbursements, EARS by the due date.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of the methods of data collection and analysis. Knowledge of procedures and techniques involved in public health research. Knowledge of the basic principles involved in epidemiologic surveillance and investigation. Knowledge of statistical methods and programs. Skilled at working with diverse individuals in professional and community settings. Skilled with the computer and adept at learning new software programs. Skilled at conducting research interviews. Ability to prepare reports and presentations on pertinent information and findings. Ability to manage and conduct work projects. Ability to organize and implement public health projects. Ability to work independently Ability to communicate effectively with people of a wide variety of ages and backgrounds. Ability to develop public health materials using a variety of software programs.

Qualifications:

Minimum Experience in working in Epidemiology. Experience with conducting data analysis related to Epidemiology Experience creating presentations specifically related to Epidemiology.

Preferred College Degree in Public Health

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:

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. Revised 5/10/2021

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

Where You Will Work: Florida Department of Health in Union County

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida: Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:  Annual and Sick Leave benefits;  Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year;  State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options;  Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (For more information, please click www.myfrs.com);  Flexible Spending Accounts;  Tuition waivers;  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 safetysensitive 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. Revised 5/10/2021 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.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.