BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST III - 64086336

Requisition No: 831930 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST III - 64086336

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 64086336 

Salary:  $45,717.62 

Posting Closing Date: 07/07/2024 

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. This position work with other departmental staff and collaborative partners.  Uphold the rules of strict confidentiality and obey confidentiality orders from other government agencies in charge in certain situations, 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 Florida Department of Health and works with others in an effort to accomplish the goals of the department. Makes a reasonable effort to adhere to established safety procedures and practices in the work area. Work is performed under the supervision of the Operations and Program Manager.  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, 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.  MERLIN, HMS System Access for Clinical Visit Summary, and Lab Visit Report. Serves as an Epi Strike Team member.

Conducts case-based surveillance activities and epidemiologic investigations.  Collect, collate, analyze and present surveillance data utilizing the latest software version of Epi Info, SAS, SPSS and/or other data analysis and statistical software. Act as liaison to the Epidemiology Program Manager and Disaster Preparedness as required and will be 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).  Participate with emergency operations plan review to ensure that the Center for Disease Control and Palm Beach County Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) Capabilities are integrated into all aspects of FDOH-Palm Beach County Public Health Preparedness Planning and Response.  Exercise knowledge understanding of disease surveillance systems, epidemiologic investigation techniques, analyze data and apply disease control methods to individuals and the community.  Facilitate the reporting and analysis of reportable diseases in the community.

Serves as the Influenza Coordinator serving as the liaison with the Bureau of Epidemiology, providers and the Florida Department of Health. Recruits and maintains working relationships with providers participating in the Florida Sentinel Influenza Surveillance Network. Monitors other influenza surveillance systems within the County. Submits the influenza report, performs enhanced disease surveillance activities in epidemiology/advanced syndromic surveillance, monitor multiple surveillance systems including but not limited to ESSENCE and EpiGateway, provide reports according to surveillance data to assure continuity of electronic and active surveillance in the community. Works closely with medical providers, hospitals and other surveillance stakeholders to improve the timeliness and completeness of reporting in Palm Beach County. Utilize surveillance information to conduct reportable disease investigations, identify potential sources of disease, provide individual case-based prevention education and take effective disease control actions.  Identify an increase in disease trends in the community.  Routinely review historic and current disease trends to identify increases, or unusual disease patterns or trends. Displays and presents investigation results using presentation software. Provide data analysis during epidemiologic investigations and will be assigned as needed to special epidemiologic studies to investigate health issues and present data to the community.

Attends and represents the Epidemiology and Disease control program at agency and public meetings as needed, inclusive of FUSION, HERC. Participates in program planning with the Team, keeps supervisor and other stakeholders routinely informed of disease trends, or issues of concern. Actively uses EpiCom and EpiX to stay informed of state and national issues. Provides feedback and education to physicians and the community on communicable diseases by providing statistics. Actively contributes to creation of educational materials, newsletters, and seminars or other public presentations through the use of media and technology.  Rapidly disseminates vital information to physicians and the community in the case of a suspected public health event or other emergency.   Coordinates the implementation, management and evaluation of a volume based computerized state-wide surveillance system, ESSENCE.  Monitors the system on a regular basis and responds to alerts as needed.    Participates in regional drills and trainings for Strike Team members. Assists with emergency operations plan review to ensure the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) Capabilities are integrated into all aspects of Palm Beach County 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.
• 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 communicate effectively and professionally with clients, co-workers, other professionals and groups.

 Qualifications:

 Licensure/registration/certification requirements (If applicable, list the appropriate Florida Statute or federal regulation cite):

 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 including, but not limited to, responses to or threats involving any disaster or threat of disaster, man-made or natural.
• 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. Availability for on-call duty is 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.