BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV - 64063684 1

State of Florida • Quincy, FL

20h • Onsite

About The Position

This position supports the daily operations of the surveillance systems operated by the Bureau of Epidemiology Surveillance Systems Section. The role involves providing direct support and training on these surveillance systems, ensuring they are accessible, staffed, and operational for county health department and state staff during public health disasters or response events. This is an internal agency opportunity, accepting applicants only from Department of Health employees (including OPS, Career Service, SES, or SMS employees).

Requirements

• Knowledge in collecting data, analyzing data, and preparing reports.
• Knowledge in developing and providing training in data management.
• Knowledge of statistical and analytical skills.
• Knowledge of data management systems and statistical analysis software (e.g., SAS, Python).
• Ability to understand and interpret public health/laboratory data.
• Skills in computer software (e.g., Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and self-motivation.
• Skills in a data-concentrated environment.
• Ability to work both individually and as a team member.
• Experience in data management systems and statistical analysis software.

Nice To Haves

• AA degree
• At least 2 years’ experience

Responsibilities

• Supports the daily operations of the surveillance systems operated by the Bureau of Epidemiology Surveillance Systems Section.
• Provides direct support and training on the surveillance systems.
• Ensures the Bureau of Epidemiology’s bio surveillance systems are accessible, staffed, and operational to the county health department and state staff during a public health disaster or response event.
• Maintains Help Desk Operations: Runs and coordinates activities and rotation schedule with Merlin Help Desk support staff.
• Serves as the backup for EpiCom systems.
• Provides TA to Merlin users for reported issues and provides ongoing coordination with the county health department users and state-level users.
• Leads the Merlin User Group, holding monthly or quarterly calls and discusses future systems changes, solicits user feedback, and communicates with users regarding status updates of reported problems, suggestions for improvement or novel solutions.
• Provides technical assistance, consultative services, and direction for the development, implementation, evaluation, and expansion of the Merlin System.
• Gathers information on bugs or problems with the Merlin system and reports these to management.
• Proposes effective solutions, summarizes weekly activities, and provides information about key findings.
• Performs system testing and coordinates User Acceptance Testing (UAT) for surveillance systems.
• Identifies key individuals to perform user acceptance testing and schedules testing.
• Coordinates between the development team and those performing user acceptance testing regarding schedule testing sign-off timeline; provides training for those performing user acceptance testing.
• Builds Merlin disease codes and screens for new diseases during, but not limited to, outbreak responses.
• Works with SMEs handling outbreaks to develop data tracking tools to aid in response efforts.
• Creates and performs CDC year-end data reconciliation and weekly ad hoc queries of the Merlin and ELR database using SAS, SQL or MS Access.
• Queries will be used to monitor data entry activities, case reviewers, CHD user activities, and compile data sets for users.
• Expands the use of the tracking protocol and implements changes when needed.
• Participates in the data science team.
• Attends meetings and collaborates with team members on various data science projects.
• Utilizes training resources to develop data science skills further.
• Assists the surveillance section with addressing current and recurring issues for surveillance systems.
• Compiles reports, creates charts to illustrate findings and how processes can be improved, and utilizes data sources and statistical software to develop intelligent solutions to surveillance challenges.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 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
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition waivers

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed