Disease intervention Specialist

State of Iowa - Executive Branch; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision coverage

Paid time off (vacation, sick leave, 9

Retirement plans (IPERS)

Job summary

State of Iowa - Executive Branch is seeking a Disease Intervention Specialist to join our Division of Public Health. The role involves conducting case investigations, tracing contacts, and coordinating with healthcare providers to control disease spread.

Candidates should have a relevant degree or paramedic experience, be comfortable handling confidential data, and be willing to travel within the assigned region for outbreak response and prevention activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a human services, health-oriented field, nursing, or education plus three years of full-time related experience.
• Paramedic certification with three years of paramedic experience also acceptable.
• Master's degree in public health, nursing, science, or related field with two years of relevant experience.

Responsibilities

• Interview individuals diagnosed with diseases to identify close contacts and assess transmission risks.
• Confidentially notify exposed contacts and provide education, counseling, and referrals for testing and treatment.
• Collaborate with healthcare providers, labs, and local health agencies to implement disease-control activities.
• Monitor case reports, review lab data, and close cases following guidelines.
• Serve on outbreak response teams to investigate sources and support emergency response.

Skills

Interviewing

Contact tracing

Public health ethics

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in a human services/health field

Job description

Only applicants who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements and meet all selective requirements will be placed on the eligible list. The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Division of Public Health, Bureau of HIV, STI, and Hepatitis is seeking a Disease intervention Specialist to join our team!

Key Responsibilities

• Case Investigation & Contact Tracing: Interview individuals diagnosed with diseases to identify close contacts and assess transmission risks.
• Partner Services & Counseling: Confidentially notify exposed contacts, provide education, counseling, and referrals for testing, treatment, prevention, and supportive resources.
• Coordination & Outreach: Collaborate with healthcare providers, labs, local health agencies, and community organizations to implement consistent disease-control activities.
• Disease Surveillance: Monitor case reports, review lab data, and close cases following guidelines.
• Outbreak Response: Serve as part of response teams for by investigating sources, managing cases, and assisting emergency response efforts.

Skills & Attributes

• Effective communication, negotiation, and problem-solving to manage sensitive interviews, persuade behavior change, and navigate sensitive situations.
• Comfort with confidential health data and ethical handling of personal information.

Benefits

Working for the State of Iowa comes with its perks. In addition to a competitive salary, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Coverage: Health and dental insurance packages to keep you and your family healthy at a low cost with outstanding coverage!
• Paid Time Off: Take time to recharge with paid time off, including vacation (96 hours/year to begin, increasing with years of service), sick leave (144 hours/year), and paid holidays (9 days/year).
• Retirement Plans: Participate in retirement plans such as IPERS (employees contribute 6.29% and the State of Iowa contributes 9.44%) as well as our Retirement Investors Club (RIC), Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan (the State of Iowa matches dollar for dollar up to $75/month).
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Take advantage of flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care expenses.
• Insurance Coverage: Benefit from life insurance and free long-term disability insurance for added peace of mind.
• Employee Assistance Program: Access resources and support through our Employee Assistance Program for personal and professional challenges.
• Employee Discount Programs: Enjoy discounts on a variety of goods and services through our employee discount programs.

Background Checks

Applicants will be required to complete a background check to be considered for this position.

The State of Iowa is an EEO/AA Employer

HHS values those with “lived experience” and encourages adults who were fostered as youth, foster parents, and/or parents who were in the DHS system to apply. Minorities, women, persons with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply (Hearing and Speech Impaired – Relay Iowa 1-800-735-2942 TDD).

E-Verify and Right to Work

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.

All work performed on behalf of Iowa Health and Human Services must occur in the State of Iowa.

Selectives

535 Public Health 6 months experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both related to improving, maintaining, and protecting the general condition of health within society, either on a personal, institutional, organizational, or community basis. Experience may be gained from direct provision of health care or from other ancillary programs and support mechanisms such as government public health departments.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in a human services field, a health-oriented field, nursing, or education, and experience equal to three years of full-time work in a human services field, a health-oriented field, nursing, or education.
• Certification as a paramedic and experience equal to three years of full-time work as a paramedic.
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s Degree in public health, nursing, science, a human services field, a health-oriented field, or education, and two years of full-time work experience as described in number one.
• A total of seven years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in number one or two), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in a human services field, a health-oriented field, nursing, or education equals one year of full-time experience.

Additional Qualification Requirements

Applicants must possess a valid driver's license and be available for regular travel within assigned region, including occasional overnight and weekend travel as needed.