Public Health Program Specialist II

City of Austin

3d • $24 - $27 • Hybrid

About The Position

Under general supervision, provide program-specific outreach and/or investigation activities of communicable diseases. This role involves counseling individuals on disease prevention, conducting interviews, referring citizens to appropriate agencies, answering questions, performing public health investigations, and counseling healthcare providers about reporting requirements. The position also includes compiling data, preparing reports, performing outreach for TB, HIV, and STI education, testing, and counseling, as well as phlebotomy and specimen collection. Coordination with other agencies and training of less experienced personnel are also key duties. Some positions may require meeting patients at home or other locations for testing or interviews.

Requirements

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university plus one (1) year of experience in public health outreach/ investigation or related field.
• Related experience may substitute for education up to a maximum of four (4) years.
• Valid Texas Class C Driver’s License at the time of hire and during employment, as required by position.
• Knowledge of general public health programs, specifically those related to communicable disease.
• Knowledge of laws and regulations concerning communicable diseases prevention and control.
• Skill in prioritizing tasks and time management.
• Skill in oral and written communications, especially interviewing techniques.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with City employees and the public.
• Skill in recording data from interviews and investigations accurately.
• Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in public health follow-up and or health outreach.
• Knowledge of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI), including modes of transmission and prevention methods.
• Phlebotomy trained.
• Experience working with multi-disciplinary teams.
• Worked independently in the community environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Access, Excel, Word and Outlook).

Responsibilities

• Counsel individuals on prevention of communicable diseases e.g. HIV, STIs, TB, etc.
• Conduct fact-finding or informational interviews.
• Refer citizens to appropriate agency or program.
• Answer citizen questions and provide assistance.
• Conduct public health investigations as required by position and/or program.
• Counsel physicians, laboratories, clinics, etc. about disease reporting requirements.
• Research information as requested or needed.
• Compile data/information and prepare reports.
• Perform program-specific outreach activities such as TB, HIV, STI education, testing and counseling.
• Perform phlebotomy and specimen collection.
• Coordinate activities with other agencies/personnel as needed.
• Assist in training less experienced personnel.
• Provide public health follow up and linkage to care activities as required by position.
• Contact partners and provide case management on patients.
• Follow up with clients to ensure they are receiving proper care.
• Counsel individuals on prevention of sexually transmitted infections.
• Create a plan of action for risk reduction techniques for patients.
• Train and monitor new hires for the program.
• Provide quality assurance duties as assigned by supervision.

Benefits

• Low-cost medical, dental, vision
• Paid leave time
• Highly competitive retirement plan
• Training opportunities
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Other financial and professional development support for continuing education, licenses, and certifications may be available.

What This Job Offers

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