OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST III - 64854367

State of Florida • Fort Lauderdale, FL

2d • Onsite

About The Position

This position requires you to work on site at one of our facilities located throughout Broward County. This is an OPS (Other Personal Services) positions and as such no paid time off is offered. Health benefits will be offered for full-time employment. OPS employees are eligible to participate in a deferred compensation plan. We request that all applications be completed with People First - no faxed or mailed applications to the agency. Experience, education, and/or training used to meet the minimum qualifications and in response to the qualifying questions must be verifiable through information contained in your application. When completing the online application, all gaps of employment or education greater than 90 days starting from high school must be explained (approximate date, month, and year) identifying company name or if unemployed. Incomplete applications will not be considered. This is an advanced professional position in a county wide disease prevention program. The position requires utilization of complex epidemiological analytic techniques and involves collection of information regarding individual case reports, as well as participation in outbreak investigations. More specifically, the position would include the following: Conducting Complex Research studies for surveillance of disease and disease syndromes (of individuals and population outbreaks) to include diseases associated with food, water, and those suspected of being due to a weapon of mass destruction biological agents. This process would include interviewing individuals and writing up these reports so they can be submitted to the electronic database. This may also entail questionnaire and interview design. Will also advise patients regarding their disease and how to prevent future occurrence (if the disease can recur). Initiate case investigations for reported diseases on the direction of surveillance and investigation supervisors during specified time intervals. This may include appropriate and targeted field investigations and notification of managers for appropriate action. The position involves looking at the data entered and writing reports. Also, provide oral and written presentations to both health department employees and the community. Investigate specialized research projects and give recommendations. Communications – Participate in teleconferences, Epicom, and various meetings where regional and state information is shared. Will visit and consult with community health care providers giving information to the current reporting requirements for communicable disease. Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Willing to work before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days in the event of an emergency. This may include working in a special needs or Red Cross shelter, 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.
• A valid driver's license, free of major infractions and access to an automobile to be utilized for work purposes.
• Currently working or finished a master’s degree in public health.
• Experience investigating multiple infectious diseases.
• Experience conducting appropriate and targeted field investigations regarding infectious diseases.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual, English/Haitian Creole, or English/Spanish.
• Experience in Public Health research.
• Experience in food handling, safety, protocols, and food inspections.
• Experience in conducting surveillance including ESSENCE, Influenza Like Illness surveillance (ILI), CDC’s Epidemic Information Exchange (Epi-X) or Vital Statistics surveillance.
• Experience working with statistical software (SAS, SPSS, Epi Info, Access, Excel).

Responsibilities

• Conducting Complex Research studies for surveillance of disease and disease syndromes (of individuals and population outbreaks) to include diseases associated with food, water, and those suspected of being due to a weapon of mass destruction biological agents. This process would include interviewing individuals and writing up these reports so they can be submitted to the electronic database. This may also entail questionnaire and interview design. Will also advise patients regarding their disease and how to prevent future occurrence (if the disease can recur).
• Initiate case investigations for reported diseases on the direction of surveillance and investigation supervisors during specified time intervals. This may include appropriate and targeted field investigations and notification of managers for appropriate action. The position involves looking at the data entered and writing reports. Also, provide oral and written presentations to both health department employees and the community.
• Investigate specialized research projects and give recommendations.
• Communications – Participate in teleconferences, Epicom, and various meetings where regional and state information is shared. Will visit and consult with community health care providers giving information to the current reporting requirements for communicable disease.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 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)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees