BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV - 64001965

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Job posting category – Open Competitive

Your Specific Responsibilities:

This is a professional position who will be a part of multidisciplinary team that deals with the control of communicable diseases.  This position will be responsible for assigned disease and outbreak investigations and develop/update health education materials as well as operating procedures in communicable disease control and prevention and is cross trained across staff.  Incumbent will follow Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and information security regulations to ensure confidentiality and privacy of the client health information. Incumbent will establish good rapport with staff and clients and provide positive customer service. Incumbents are expected to adhere to established Health Department policies and procedures.

Investigates and manages selected communicable diseases such as Gastrointestinal Illness dengue fever cases, interviews clients as well as collects specimens as needed. Completes required paperwork, including documentation of case management records, interviews, field investigations, travel logs, and narratives.

Collect, analyze and interpret information/data on diseases through daily surveillance to include review of lab reports and prepare/distribute reports of findings to the Epidemiology team to include interpretations, projections of trends and appropriate recommendations and/or conclusions. Develop and perform statistical analyses by SAS/GIS regarding Epidemiology project using surveillance data, hospitalization data and vital record data.

Participates in outbreak investigations and community health related complaints investigation.

Plan, design, organize and conduct educational programs for employees/community which convey specialized knowledge and skills to increase awareness of existence of disease that affect our community.

Recommend and evaluate procedures and/or policy statements relating to infection control. Maintain an updated reference manual on infectious diseases.

Respond to public requests for data, community outreach, and other public health and disease prevention related activities.

Performs statistical analyses using Syndromic Surveillance data timely.

Performs syndromic surveillance report on the rotation.

Performs all other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of office procedures and practices and the ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of the terminology, principles and techniques used in biological and epidemiological research, analysis or testing.
• Knowledge of communicable diseases.
• Knowledge of epidemiologic design methods.
• Ability to use computer programs, spreadsheets and statistical analysis (SAS), (Statistical Analytical Software, Geographical Information System (GIS), Epi Info).
• Ability to compile, evaluate and analyze epidemiologic data.
• Ability to work independently.
• Skills in communicating medical information to the public.
• Ability to act as a source of reference and provide information relating to infection control and disease control.
• Knowledge of current practices in all aspects of infections control principles.
• Ability to plan and direct technically complex epidemiologic investigation.
• Ability to prepare health education material at appropriate reading levels.
• Ability to prepare and conduct training to programs other related duties incidental to the work described herein.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate the assessment of health-related needs and problems in the community.
• Knowledge of HIPAA and client confidentiality requirements

Qualifications:

Minimum –

One year of experience working in public health and/or epidemiology.

Where You Will Work:

1350 N.W 14th Street Miami, Florida. 33125 - Annex Building.

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.

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. 

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.    

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.