BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST III - SES - 64084705

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Internal Agency Opportunity

Applicants accepted only from Department of Health employees, (includes OPS, Career Service, SES or SMS employees).

Applicants will not be accepted from outside the department.

Specific Responsibilities:

This position is Biological Scientist III – SES position responsible countywide within the Tuberculosis Control Program. Responsible for the management of Tuberculosis field activities, and Contact Investigation. Work is performed under the supervision of the Public Health Services Manager F-SES TB Program Manager. This position requires independent judgment, initiative, applying general knowledge of business practices and skills in applying instructions to accomplish various job functions. This position spends the majority of the time engaged in supervisory responsibilities. This includes communicating with, motivating, training, and evaluating employees in addition to planning and directing employees' work. The incumbent has the authority to hire, transfer, suspend, lay off, recall, promote, discharge, assign, reward, or discipline subordinate employees or effectively recommend such action. The incumbent will also be required to develop performance expectations, meet with staff regularly to discuss performance, complete performance reviews, maintain vacation and work schedules, ensuring proper coverage, and complete timesheets. Promote a high standard of tuberculosis detection, prevention and treatment by training, monitoring, and evaluating assigned employees. 

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 may view, update, and/or release information in the performance of public health investigations as required by Statute, Administrative Rule, or Departmental Policy. Access to Health Management System (HMS) TB module for management and reporting purposes. This position maintains State and Local Confidentially/Security Polices as related to TB surveillance data and Information in accordance with Florida Statute 392, Florida Administrative Code 10D-3, and Health Department Guidelines.

Serves as a backup and support to the Biological Scientist Ill-SES in the STD Program. Responsible for reviewing the Field Record and Interview Records of subordinate staff in the Surveillance Tools and Reporting System (STARS). Ensuring completeness and timely reporting of cases. Participate in the planning and orientation of new staff regarding TB Program’s Policies and Procedures. Advises and counsels staff about advanced education and provides staff improvement and development opportunities. Ensure employees are trained and proficient in use of including but not limited to, TB Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) tracking, and other appropriate modules. Addresses any issues with clients such as but not limited to dissatisfaction and or staff complaints.

Responsible for workloads, assignments, deadlines. Work objectives and time utilization with employees. Maintain accurate data for Directly Observed Therapy/ Directly Observed Preventive Therapy (DOT/DOPT) weekly schedules and contact investigation monthly schedules in re TRACK. Support and instruct staff in problem solving techniques, evaluate alternative solutions to case management problems.

Responsible for overseeing TB contact investigations, cluster investigations, Directly Observed Therapy (DOT), and all related field activities through coordination with multidisciplinary teams. Ensures that all TB contact and cluster investigations meet program and bureau objectives and that every component of the contact investigation file is fully completed for each case.

Directs the delivery of DOT services, testing for Latent TB Infection (LTBI), client and community interviews, site visits, environmental assessments, data collection and management, epidemiological analysis, and medical record review. Oversees the maintenance and regular updating of the DOT and master schedules for all DOT staff.

Responsible for collecting, compiling, and analyzing TB contact investigation data, and for generating and presenting reports to ensure that all TB cases, TB suspects, and contacts to suspects or confirmed cases are fully investigated and reported in accordance with applicable laws. Oversees and reviews staff assignments and work products, providing guidance and support to ensure timely and accurate completion of all responsibilities.

Serves as the primary liaison to community partners and leads community presentations and outreach projects. Supervises staff and provides technical guidance on TB disease prevention and control. Collects and analyzes program data, prepares reports, and delivers findings to support program objectives. Utilizes team-based approaches and quality improvement tools to identify issues, develop solutions, and implement performance improvements. Prepares and maintains timely reports and performs data entry in the Health Management System (HMS). Supports the developmental needs of subordinate staff and keeps the program manager informed of all significant developments.

Assist staff with field activities, including Directly Observed Therapy (DOT), Directly Observed Preventive Therapy (DOPT), transporting clients to medical evaluations or CHD appointments, collecting and submitting specimens, and performing skin or blood testing as needed. Responsible for scheduling and ensuring proper use of State Vehicles assigned to the TB Program. Maintains State Vehicle Maintenance records and monthly mileage logs.

Compiles and generates program reports as needed and at the request of the STD Program Manager. Conducts staff meetings on a regular schedule and identifies training and developmental needs of subordinate staff by monitoring and evaluating employee performance. Keeps the program manager informed of all staff‑related developments. Trains staff members and volunteers complete mandatory trainings, and ensures staff remain compliant with all required training. Attend training courses as assigned.

Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with medical offices, social service agencies, public officials, and individuals impacted by or requiring services from the STD control program.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, skills and abilities, including utilization of equipment, required for the position: 
•    Knowledge of methods of compiling, organizing and analyzing data (epidemiology & environmental assessment)  
•    Knowledge of standard precautions to prevent transmission of infections, as well as airborne insolation procedures to prevent transmission is required 
•    Ability to conduct fact finding interviews  
•    Ability to conduct health investigations 
•    Ability to analyze data  
•    Ability to plan, prioritize, organize and coordinate. and accomplish work priorities independently 
•    Ability to prepare records and reports 
•    Ability to maintain strict confidentiality 
•    Ability to identify community resources 
•    Ability to prepare and conduct training programs 
•    Ability to communicate effectively  
•    Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others 
•    Knowledge of computers and basic software applications 
•    Ability to supervise

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.
•    The incumbent in this position may be required to use vehicles owned, leased, or operated by the state or county to conduct official state business. State or county vehicles shall be used only for officially           authorized duties and not for personal use, unless a specific exception applies under Florida law (F.S. § 287.17).

Working hours: (A) Daily from 8:00AM to 5:00PM    (B) Total hours in workweek 40     (C) Explain any variation in work (split shift, rotation, etc.) This position requires daily in-office or field work.

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:

851 Avenue P, Riviera Beach, FL 33404

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.
 
All Florida Department of Health positions require the incumbent to be able to learn and communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in English. Applicants who do not meet this requirement will not be considered.  

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. 

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.