BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST III - 64003688

Thank you for your interest in career opportunities with the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County.  If you are looking to establish a successful career in Public Health, you have come to the right place.  Many of our innovative and successful health programs are recognized throughout Florida.  We hope you decide to join our team!  Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for an interview.

The incumbent is part of a global public health organization and is expected to support the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County in its mission to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts and its efforts and its vision: To be the Healthiest State in the Nation. Furthermore, the incumbent is expected to incorporate the agency values of Innovation, Collaboration, Accountability, Responsiveness and Excellence in all aspects of their work.

Biological Scientist III

This is an in-office position within the Division of Disease Control and Health Protection. The incumbent is responsible for conducting ongoing countywide investigation and surveillance activities while providing essential analytic and evaluative support to strengthen disease prevention efforts of the Agency and the wider community.

The incumbent will provide communicable disease surveillance services, applying the principles of epidemiology and biostatistics in case-finding, assessment, epidemiological determination, planning, and intervention to control the spread of disease.

Responsibilities include:

Performs investigation, data entry, and follow-up for the prevention and control of communicable diseases including, but not limited to reportable diseases, foodborne and waterborne illnesses, general infectious diseases, and influenza (seasonal and pandemic). The incumbent performs daily surveillance, data analysis, and management using ESSENCE, Merlin data systems, Epi Gateway, and other databases as needed.

Specific tasks include:

• Follow up on all Electronic Laboratory Reports (ELR) and Faxed reports as assigned to include but not limited to collecting basic demographics and clinical information on suspected cases, confirming diagnosis, determining probable source of infection, determining mode of transmission, determining extent of spread, and recommending appropriate control measures.
• Coordinate therapeutic or prophylactic treatment as needed.
• Collect and transmits appropriate laboratory specimens for diagnostic study.
• Monitor clients and susceptible clients during potentially infectious period or period of probable onset for proper follow-up on control measures.
• Maintains adequate records of essential information relevant to the communicable disease investigation.
• Provides communicable disease alerts as necessary to contain the spread of communicable diseases.
• Collaborates with infection control practitioners in hospitals, nursing homes, and other facilities for the identification, investigation, and control of infectious diseases.
• Prepares surveillance reports, data summaries, and other written documentation for publication, presentation, or dissemination. Creates graphs and charts to illustrate data.
• Conduct studies and investigations related to outbreaks of public health significance

Performs public health preparedness functions including but not limited to:

• Working with Cities Readiness Initiative (CRI) Coordinator on operations plans related to Points of Dispensing (PODs), developing and conducting exercises that test internal preparedness and epidemiological processes and procedures, completing After Action Reports (AAR) and other functions related to Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) compliant exercises.

This position is expected to provide technical expertise to residents, visitors and professional level leaders within the community on a regular basis.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of methods of data collection and analysis, including the ability to access and extract information from multiple databases. 
• Knowledge of public health policies and public health laws to include but not limited to information security and HIPAA. 
• Skills in computer software programs used to facilitate job duties such as Microsoft Office Suite, Epi Info, SAS and/or SPSS. 
• Skills in extracting and preparing data and information into logical format for presentation in reports, documents, and other written materials that suit the needs of a variety of users. 
• Ability to design and conduct evaluation activities and statistical surveys. 
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments and manage multiple projects. 
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships both internally and in the community. 
• Ability to work independently using critical thinking and logic.
• Ability to use problem solving techniques.

Qualifications:

Minimum-

• High school diploma or GED
• Valid driver’s license

Preferred- 

• Master of Public Health or Master of Science in Public Health degree OR

currently pursuing an MPH or MSPH with expected completion within 6 months of hire

• Certification in Infection Control (CIC)
• One (1) year of experience with epidemiology, communicable disease programs, and/or public health surveillance
• Experience reviewing laboratory results or medical records
• Experience with public speaking and/or education outreach activities
• Experience with public health preparedness and emergency management

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.

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

Where You Will Work:

Department of Health in Pinellas County

St. Petersburg location

205 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr St N,

St. Petersburg, FL 33701

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, 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.