BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST III - 64081234

State of Florida • Ocala, FL

2d • $45,900 - $48,450 • Onsite

About The Position

The Biological Scientist III serves in an Epidemiologist position with the Marion County Health Department, conducting countywide communicable-disease surveillance and providing analytic and evaluative support to the Agency and community. The role applies epidemiology and biostatistics to case-finding, assessment, epidemiological determinations, planning, and interventions to control disease spread. It includes data collection, analysis, and communication of findings. The incumbent trains new Epidemiology employees as directed by the Epidemiology Nursing Supervisor and reports to the Nurse Manager I. Reliable personal transportation is required to carry out the position’s responsibilities.

The incumbent manages disease case investigations and patient caseloads; monitors infectious-disease and laboratory reports; coordinates with healthcare providers, facilities, public health staff, and community partners; and recommends or implements control measures in accordance with department procedures, state guidance, statutes, and CDC guidelines. The position maintains surveillance programs and uses ESSENCE, Merlin, and other databases to enter, manage, analyze, and report data. It also prepares reports and visualizations, coordinates outbreak prevention and response surveillance, and provides training, consultation, education, and community outreach on infectious-disease prevention, transmission, surveillance, and control.

The position may involve emergency duty before, during, or beyond normal work hours or days, and may include assisting with response to and recovery from natural or human-made disasters. The work location is the Marion County Health Department, 1801 SE 32nd Ave, Ocala, Florida 34471.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, majoring in a biological or health science, or relevant work experience.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to express thoughts clearly in English verbally and in writing.
• Experience educating clients on diseases.
• Experience reporting statistical findings and producing data.
• Experience with public speaking.
• Experience investigating reportable diseases.
• Ability to conduct fact-finding interviews and health investigations.
• Ability to analyze data and knowledge of methods for compiling, organizing, and analyzing data.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work activities and manage multiple responsibilities efficiently and on time.
• Ability to prepare records and written reports.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Ability to identify community resources.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate effectively with others.
• Ability to listen to and understand others’ views, maintain self-confidence and emotional control, and communicate effectively in group or one-on-one settings.
• Ability to understand and apply procedures, requirements, regulations, and policies related to specialized expertise.
• Ability to make reasoned, realistic decisions; weigh alternatives; use factual information and logical assumptions; and consider organizational resources.
• Ability to recognize and value diversity among people, ideas, and cultures.
• Reliable personal transportation is required.
• Must be able to learn and communicate effectively in English, orally and in writing.
• Must successfully complete required security background check and/or drug screening and participate in direct deposit.
• May be required to perform emergency duty before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual in English and Spanish.
• Working knowledge of public health, particularly epidemiology.
• Ability to prioritize between assignments.
• Experience speaking with other medical professionals about patients.

Responsibilities

• Conduct countywide communicable-disease surveillance and provide analytic and evaluative support.
• Apply epidemiology and biostatistics to case-finding, assessment, epidemiological determinations, planning, and disease-control interventions.
• Manage disease patient caseloads, interview patients, conduct field investigations, identify people at risk, analyze cases, prepare documentation, and provide disease intervention services.
• Recommend and implement disease-control measures under department procedures, state guidelines, statutes, and CDC guidelines; confer with supervisors and administration on recommendations.
• Conduct follow-up interviews and investigations, coordinate visits to healthcare and other sites, and follow up on positive laboratory results with private medical providers.
• Investigate communicable diseases, including emerging and highly infectious diseases, and collaborate with health department staff and infection-control practitioners in healthcare and other facilities.
• Maintain timely and accurate surveillance of diagnosed infections and positive laboratory evidence.
• Use ESSENCE, Merlin, and other surveillance databases to enter, manage, and analyze data.
• Coordinate surveillance activities for outbreak prevention and response with health department response plans and other public health programs.
• Analyze and evaluate communicable-disease data, including foodborne and waterborne illnesses and seasonal or pandemic influenza; prepare reports, summaries, written materials, graphs, and charts for publication, presentation, or dissemination.
• Train and consult with staff on surveillance techniques, interventions, and surveillance systems, adapting education to diverse populations.
• Provide training to health department and other agency staff and population-based programs in epidemiology or disease control.
• Educate community members, clients, healthcare professionals, educators, researchers, and others on infectious-disease prevention, transmission, surveillance, and control.
• Attend community partner meetings, consult on field epidemiology and surveillance data, communicate health alerts, and deliver presentations on diseases and outbreaks as needed.
• Participate in required training and promote professional growth and the Agency’s mission.
• Assist in response to and recovery from natural or human-made disasters and perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Annual and sick leave.
• Nine paid holidays and one personal holiday each year.
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and supplemental insurance.
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions.
• Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Tuition waivers.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level