BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST III - 64035676

Requisition No: 844987 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST III - 64035676

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 64035676 

Salary:  $50,108.24 

Posting Closing Date: 01/28/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Open Competitive Opportunity 

Specific Responsibilities:

This is a Biological Scientist III position in the Epidemiology Program which is county-wide in scope. Work is performed under the supervision of the Operations and Program Manager. This position will work with other departmental staff and collaborative partners, uphold the rules of strict confidentiality and obey confidentiality orders from other government agencies in charge, such as the FBI.  Provides professional and technical epidemiologic consultation and assistance to public and private health care providers. Conducts special projects with statistical applications. Supports the Health Department and works with others in an effort to accomplish the goals of the department. Makes reasonable effort to adhere to established safety procedures and practices in the work area. This position requires independent judgment, initiative, applying general knowledge of business practices and skill in applying instructions to accomplish various job functions.

This position is designated as a sensitive position and is required to maintain confidential information in accordance with the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) Palm Beach County Health Department (CHD) Information Security Policy, Protocols and Procedures. This position has access to Epidemiology and the Clinical Information Data Sets. Surveillance Tools & Reporting System (STARS), Health Management System (HMS) access to demographics, financial, immunization, clinical data and lab for the purpose of locating and up-dating information necessary for investigation, case management and reporting of communicable disease cases. Has access to Florida Shots for the purpose of locating information necessary to investigate and manage and report cases of vaccine preventable diseases. This position may view, update, release information, including information from HMS to other health care providers involved in the care of the patient. Serves as an Epi Strike Team member.

Conducts case-based surveillance activities and epidemiologic investigations in Vaccine Preventable diseases (VPD), such as measles, mumps, rubella, pertussis and Hepatitis A and B.  Collect, collate, analyze and present surveillance data utilizing the latest software version of Epi Info, Science Analysis System (SAS), Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and/or other data analysis and statistical software. Improve data usage leading to better identification of geographic areas and populations at higher risk for vaccine preventable disease exposures. Act as the liaison to the Epidemiology Program Manager and Disaster Preparedness as required and cross trained to support integration efforts to enhance disease control programs and EPI capabilities. Assist with coverage of the Epidemiology unit during times of heightened response efforts, outbreaks, and increase need in preparedness and disaster team response capabilities (i.e. EPI Strike Team).  Actively participate with emergency operations plan review to ensure that the Center for Disease Control and CHD Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) Capabilities are integrated into all aspects of FDOH-CHD public health preparedness planning and response.  Apply an understanding of Vaccine preventable disease and other surveillance systems, epidemiologic investigation techniques, analyze data and apply disease control methods to individuals and the community.  Apply proficient utilization of MERLIN, HMS, FLSHOTS, STARTS and other disease-based data management, and reporting systems to facilitate the reporting and analysis of diseases in the community. Contribute to updating and maintaining Manual for Enhanced Disease Intervention and Control (MEDIC) as required.

Perform descriptive and analytic epidemiologic investigations, research, and public health surveillance of disease outbreaks and other field epidemiologic investigations of public health importance, such as vaccine preventable diseases and related disaster preparation. Assists with the development, implementation and evaluation of guidelines, policies and procedures of programs to determine their effectiveness. Prepares technical reports, summaries of investigations, scientific papers and performs related work as needed.

Participates in program planning and outreach with the Team. Keeps supervisor and other stakeholders routinely informed of disease trends, or issues of concern. Participates in targeted outreach, education and intervention strategies to high risk geographic areas and populations. Increases knowledge and awareness of public health professionals and other stakeholders in vaccine preventable diseases prevention training programs. Actively uses EpiCom and Epi X to stay informed of state and national issues. Provides feedback and education to physicians and the community on communicable diseases by providing statistics. Contributes to creation of educational materials, newsletters, and seminars or other public presentations through the use of media and technology. Participates in regional drills and trainings for Strike Team members. Assists with emergency operations plan review to ensure that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) Capabilities are integrated into all aspects of County Health Department public health preparedness planning and response by participating in planning meetings and providing feedback.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Skill to interview persons in an efficient, effective, yet compassionate manner.
• Ability to pay strict attention to detail and to perform thorough investigations in a timely fashion
• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments
• Knowledge of medical terminology and epidemiology
• Ability to use personal computer applications
• Ability to read and correctly interpret medical records and abstract data accurately and completely
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to utilize problem-solving techniques
• Ability to communicate effectively

Qualifications:

Licensure/registration/certification requirements:

• N/A

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 Shelters, or performing other emergency duties, but not limited to, responses to or threat involving any disaster, man-made or natural.
• A Valid Driver’s License

Working hours: (A) Daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (B) Total hours in workweek 40 hours  (C) Explain any variation in work (split shift, rotation, etc.)

• May be required to work evenings and/or weekends during outbreaks or unusual events such as hurricanes.
• Subject to Call for on-call duty may be required of this position.
• May be required on notice of 24 hours or less to be deployed for work in regions throughout Florida and possibly the U.S.

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:

800 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach, FL 33401

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 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.

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.