OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV - 64916114

State of Florida • Jacksonville Beach, FL

1d • $24 - $25 • Onsite

About The Position

This position serves as a County Epidemiologist within the Communicable Disease Programs at the Florida Department of Health in Duval County (DOH‑Duval). The role operates under the administrative supervision of the Communicable Disease Programs Director, with technical guidance from the Epidemiology Manager and relevant Program Offices. The County Epidemiologist is responsible for conducting epidemiologic investigations, performing contact tracing, and implementing appropriate control measures. Additional duties include ongoing disease surveillance, data analysis, report generation, and participation in community outreach and provider education. The position also supports investigations of environmentally related diseases and conducts joint field investigations with the Environmental Health team. The incumbent will support outbreak investigations and perform field visits across a variety of settings, including homes, schools, hospitals, and childcare facilities. This role also serves as one of the leads for quality improvement initiatives within the Communicable Disease Programs. All duties must be performed with accuracy, attention to safety, strong customer service, teamwork, and strict adherence to established protocols, policies, and procedures. This position is funded through the Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG) to strengthen local capacity for surveillance and investigations, enhance outbreak and surge response, and advance quality improvement efforts that support epidemiologic performance and operations.

Requirements

• Knowledge of epidemiology and disease control.
• Knowledge of statistical methods and applications
• Ability to evaluate and interpret epidemiological and statistical data pertaining to the control of communicable diseases.
• Knowledge of Merlin, ESSENCE and other epidemiologic applications.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office and Statistical Software including Excel and SAS or SPSS.
• Ability to perform public speaking.
• Tactful interpersonal, interviewing, and organizational skills
• Ability to explain the principles of exposure, infection, infectious period, high-risk interactions, symptoms of diseases, and prevention and control interventions.
• Ability to present information clearly and concisely orally and in writing.
• A current, valid, and unrestricted driver’s license.
• Must be available to work 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday to Friday and be available to work beyond normal works as required.

Nice To Haves

• Candidate with a master’s or higher degree in public health or epidemiology with relevant experience in disease investigations, surveillance & data analysis is preferred.
• At least 6 months experience working in epidemiology, communicable disease, or infection control. Experience may include internship, volunteering, or working in an academic setting is preferred.
• Experience training or experience in data analysis utilizing Excel and SAS, SPSS or other statistical software is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Leads quality improvement initiatives and innovation projects to enhance internal operational processes and program performance using data driven approaches.
• Leads epidemiologic research projects to identify trends and risk factors that affect our community. Performs data analysis using advanced statistical & mapping software.
• Provides a broad range of services in the Epidemiology Program as a county epidemiologist. Assists with the required reporting of communicable diseases and conditions in Duval County and provides assistance as needed for neighboring counties. Coordinates, investigates and controls outbreaks of suspected diseases in the community. Assists the state epidemiology office as necessary.
• Conducts epidemiological investigations and provides appropriate entities information relative to disease transmission. Provides information to facilities such as schools, daycares, and nursing homes.
• Participates in the investigation of environmental health threats by collecting and analyzing health and environmental data, preparing interpretation of findings and disseminating recommended prevention and control measures. Conducts investigations on diseases of environmental origin such as but not limited to infections caused by waterborne, foodborne, heavy metals and other environmental agents. Performs field assessments and investigations along with the Environmental Health and Regional teams.
• Provides either consultative or tactical expertise to assist in the identification, investigation and control of incidents, situations or occurrences which may endanger public health. This may include conducting an epidemiologic assessment and providing infection control training.
• Creates reports using local, state and federal data. Assists in the health assessment of the county and its sub-populations using epidemiological and biostatistical reporting tools.
• Analyzes data for outbreaks and communicable disease surveillance reports using advanced programming techniques such as Excel, SAS or SPSS. Monitors and follows up on several state and local data reporting sources, including hospital, clinical and laboratory data.
• Serves as an active member of the Epidemiology Response Team. Responds to biological events within an incident command structure under an emergency support function and in state and local law enforcement/emergency services events.
• Uses existing and implements new queries in the syndromic disease surveillance system (ESSENCE-FL) to assist in identifying non-reported reportable diseases and potential outbreaks. Monitors and follows up on syndromic disease reporting activities for evidence of biologic events that may be linked to terrorism or potential disease outbreaks. Analyzes and provides comparative data and syndromic disease reports from peer counties and from available national syndromic reporting systems.
• Assists the health officer and program director in formulating responses to the community regarding communicable disease outbreaks and attends meetings with state and local officials regarding public health issues. Summarizes and reports assessment information in compliance with reportable disease requirements and to in-house stakeholders. Assists in preparation of grant proposals and other documentation required for securing funds for program needs.
• Prepares, proofreads, edits, and/or routes correspondence to internal and external partners, as well as other entities with accuracy and promptness. This will include journal articles, publications and spreadsheets.
• Develops assessment and assurance monitoring systems in collaboration with health department management and with community stakeholders. Attends and/or facilities meetings and attends conferences representing the department. Appears at public meetings, lectures to groups as requested and assists with preparation of public service announcements and statements to the media.
• Communicates in writing, in person, and through electronic means concisely and positively. Takes initiative to multi-task with accuracy. Communicates and solves problems appropriately. Exhibits and maintains a positive attitude while working independently and in a team setting. Provides quality educational opportunities and training for students.
• Works with the management team, physicians, nurses, disease intervention specialists and other staff to develop and provide an interdisciplinary team approach to case management. Participates in quality improvement activities. Attends staff meetings, in-services, seminars and trainings for self-improvement, increased competency, and retention of skills.
• Participates in orientation and staff development programs for persons working in the Epidemiology Program.
• Perform other related 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