HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAM SPECIALIST - 64058917

Requisition No: 836932 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAM SPECIALIST - 64058917

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 64058917 

Salary:  $47,963.92 - $52,760.31 

Posting Closing Date: 10/02/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH - HILLSBOROUGH

DIVISION OF Community Health – Epidemiology

Human Services Program Specialist

4704 B West Montgomery Avenue Tampa, FL 33616

Thank you for your interest in career opportunities with the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough 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.

Join an amazing company culture that values employee growth and development at the Florida Department of Health. Professional development is highly encouraged and supported within our organization through opportunities for mentorships and educational and skills training.  From the moment you are hired, you can begin to grow as a professional and a leader, through strategic planning, internal committees, and project engagement.  There are also many opportunities for continuing education at no cost to the employee.  If you are looking to further your education through a college degree, the Florida Department of Health can help with our tuition reimbursement program.  We offer an inspiring and encouraging atmosphere to support you while you work with us. 

The Florida Department of Health (DOH) is responsible for the health and safety of all citizens and visitors to the state. As a public health agency, the Florida Department of Health must monitor the health status of Floridians, diagnose, and investigate health problems, and mobilize local communities to address health-related issues. The Florida Department of Health develops policies and plans that support health goals, enforce laws and regulations that protect the health of all residents and visitors, and link people to needed health care services. The Florida Department of Health also provides specialized assistance to pregnant women, infants, and children with special health care needs, regulates health care practitioners, and provides medical disability determinations.

HUMAN SERVICE PROGRAM SPECIALIST

GENERAL: The Epidemiology Program is responsible for surveillance and disease control activities of over 50 reportable diseases or conditions in Hillsborough County. The incumbent in this position performs investigation of cases of reportable illnesses, provides direct client education and assists with data input and analysis. This position requires the ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Conducts investigations of assigned cases of reportable diseases or conditions according to the applicable case handling guidelines of the Epidemiology Program and the Florida Department of Health Bureau of Epidemiology text The County Health Department Epidemiology Guide to Disease Surveillance and Investigations (Guide).
• Contacts physician offices, laboratories, hospitals and clients for information to complete an epidemiology report.
• Performs record reviews on hospital records when needed.
• Provides basic information on reporting to physician offices or clinics when appropriate.
• Conducts investigations of reportable diseases to determine the source of infection and prevent the spread of illness.
• Interviews patients by telephone, or when necessary, conducts field visits for interviews. Provides disease information to the client on the condition being investigated and educates the client on necessary preventive measures.
• Elicits contacts appropriate for testing and/or immunization and provides education.
• Performs collection of specimens in the field when necessary.
• Contacts appropriate daycare, school, food service or health care agency to determine if other cases of the illness exist in that setting and to provide education to those agencies.
• Coordinates with environmental health, disease control programs, health centers and other CHD staff. Case investigations will begin according to the time frame stated in the Guide or the week of receipt and investigations will generally be completed and documented within one month of receipt in the Epidemiology office.
• Advises Epidemiologist of outbreak situations.
• Conducts surveillance for disease trends.
• Assists or leads investigations of outbreaks and disease control activities.
• Assists with departmental projects. Presents information concerning the epidemiology program, disease reporting and intervention, and assists in training of staff and students.
• Participates in Health Fairs.
• Attends meetings, seminars, workshops and training as required.
• Performs input of completed reportable and non-reportable disease cases in the Merlin or Epi Info databases.
• Performs other data input as needed. Input will be accurate and timely.
• Performs related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

• One year of Customer service experience in a fast-paced environment
• Experience entering electronic lab results into a database
• One year of experience in a health department/medical office/clinic environment
• Experience conducting case investigations and patient interviews

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Natural Science or Social Work preferred
• Two years of experience in a health department/medical office/clinic environment

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:

Innovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely.

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

Accountability: We perform with integrity & respect.

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

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

Where You Will Work:

4704B West Montgomery Avenue Tampa, FL 33616

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.
• Public Health and Nursing Loan Forgiveness Program
• Tuition waivers for State Universities/Community Colleges.
• And more!

For a State of Florida Total Compensation Estimator visit State of Florida Total Compensation Estimator (myflorida.com)

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. 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.    

If there are any problems applying online, please call People First Staffing Administration: (877) 562-7287.

Service Center hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., ET. TTY users, call (866) 221-0268.

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.