OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV - 64856434

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FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

OPEN COMPETITIVE JOB POSTING

Your Specific Responsibilities:

This highly responsible position is assigned to the Epidemiology Section of the Okaloosa County Health Department (OCHD) and works with the District 1 Medical Examiner’s Office providing epidemiological expertise to the department while exercising independent judgement and decision-making skills. This position will conduct data collection and analysis related to death investigations, summarizing the data on a daily/weekly basis. This information analysis related to death investigations will examine patterns, trends, and factors leading to certain types of deaths with the aim of identifying needed changes in services and interventions in the district.

Epidemiologic Investigations - Responsible for collecting, organizing, and performing descriptive and analytic epidemiological investigations and analysis of communicable disease, chronic disease, maternal and child health, injury, substance use and other issues of public health significance for utilization in community health assessment, planning, and improvement. Collects, enters, cleans, and organizes program data from multiple sources. 

Epidemiologic Consultation - Serves as a liaison to hospitals, laboratories, private provider offices, law enforcement, and emergency medical services to share information between agencies, provide surveillance results, and encourage reporting issues of public health significance related to death investigations. Collaborates with team members, local organizations, and community partners to strengthen overdose prevention efforts. Participates in community events related to overdose awareness, prevention, and response. 

Dissemination of Data, Information, and Findings - Responsible for performing public health surveillance and reporting findings, as appropriate. Develops and distributes information for the health community and for publication. Provides timely statistical reports on cases, surveillance, investigations, and other related data. Assists with preparing basic data summaries or visuals for internal discussions and community outreach. 

Program Administration and Support - Supports general program operations, including scheduling, documentation, and communication tasks. Maintains records and reports as required. Provides support during multidisciplinary fatality review meetings, including note‑taking, preparing materials, and helping coordinate follow‑up tasks. Performs administrative functions and works on assigned tasks as needed, including data entry into national and state reporting databases. Participates in local, regional, or statewide training and exercises, including in-service education programs, conferences, and staff meetings. Conducts and attends training and serves as a resource for staff and the community.

Performs all other duties as assigned in support of the Agency’s mission and vision.  Prioritizes work and uses time wisely. Maintains confidentiality of all information within the health department. Position requires flexibility to work before, during and/or beyond normal work hours or days in the event of an emergency.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Apply surveillance protocols and data collection techniques for disease monitoring and investigations.
• Utilize terminology, principles, and techniques used in epidemiological research, analysis, data collection, and data management.
• Apply bio statistical methods used for the analysis of public health problems, including descriptive and inferential techniques.
• Identify key sources of data, calculating basic epidemiology measures and describe the burden of public health problems on specific populations.
• Design epidemiological studies, compile and analyze data, and draw appropriate inferences from epidemiologic data for the purpose of monitoring and evaluating.
• Evaluate the strengths and limitations of epidemiologic reports.
• Apply principles of good ethical/legal practice as they relate to study design and data collection, dissemination, and use.
• Apply knowledge of privacy laws to protect confidentiality, including Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and applicable state and local privacy laws.
• Communicate effectively in written, oral, and electronic formats using language tailored to a variety of lay and scientific audiences, in a culturally competent manner.
• Utilize strong communication skills and comfort engaging with diverse community partners.
• Work independently or as well as participate in or lead a team. 
• Develop and deliver presentations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships within the organization and with community partners.
• Utilize problem-solving techniques.
• Effectively determine work priorities and ensure timely completion of work assignments.
• Skilled in data storytelling.
• Utilize intermediate Excel skills (ability to enter data, use formulas, navigate spreadsheets and develop tables and charts).
• Prioritize work and use time wisely.
• Maintain confidentiality of all information.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Health Sciences, Biology, Social Sciences, or an equivalent health‑related field.
• Valid U.S. Drivers’ License.
• Experience with any data tools such as Power BI, Tableau, R, Python, or ArcGIS—preferred but not required. 

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:

Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County

221 Hospital Drive NE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. As an OPS employee, the benefits below are available:

• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (mandatory)
• Participation in state group insurance (upon meeting eligibility requirements.  Consult with People First and/or the serving HR office)
• Workers’ Compensation (mandatory, if needed)
• Reemployment Assistance (Unemployment Compensation) (mandatory, if needed)
• Deferred Compensation (voluntary)
• Employee Assistance Program (voluntary)
• 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.