EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SPECIALIST III

State-of-Hawai; Hawaii; On-site; USD 57,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Hawaii, Department of Health, Kauai District Health Office, seeks an Epidemiological Specialist to support field investigations and disease prevention programs on Kauai. The role requires examining cases, conducting interviews, and applying public health regulations to control communicable diseases.

Qualifications include a Bachelor's degree with biological sciences coursework and 1.5 years of specialized experience in epidemiology, with possible substitutions per policy.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college with at least three biology courses, one beyond introductory level.
• Experience substitution allowed per policy; specialized experience required as described.

Responsibilities

• Identify, prevent and control communicable diseases through field investigations.
• Educate patients and contacts on public health regulations and prevention.
• Conduct interviews and gather source data to support disease control efforts.

Skills

Public health knowledge

Investigational interviewing

Education

Bachelor's degree with biology coursework

Job description

Please be advised that the hiring process for this position is part of the Department of Health’s Hiring Innovation for Rapid Employment (HIRE) Pilot Project. The Pilot Project will defer the traditional screening of applications for minimum qualifications until after a selection has been made. Therefore, the referral of an application to the hiring manager and the opportunity to interview for the position do not indicate that the applicant meets the minimum qualifications for the position, nor do they guarantee employment. If selected for the role, a comprehensive review of the application packet will occur to ensure that the minimum qualifications are met. If the selectee is deemed qualified, a conditional offer will be issued.

This posting is for the State of Hawaii, Department of Health, Kauai District Health Office.

The position is located in Lihue on the Island of Kauai.

Salary: $5,107 to $6,221 per month (SR-20, Step D to I)

Note: Hiring rates will be based on availability of funds, the applicant's qualifications, and other relevant factors.

Positions in this occupational field are engaged in the identification, prevention and control of communicable diseases through directed investigative epidemiological activities; the education and motivation of patients, contacts and suspects of communicable disease to comply with current public health regulations; conducting the medical, social, cultural and psychological aspects of field interviewing and investigation in obtaining source spread information; and the performance of a variety of informational-educational activities for the prevention of communicable diseases in the community.

To qualify, you must meet all of the following requirements. Please note that unless specifically indicated, the required education and experience may not be gained concurrently. In addition, qualifying work experience is credited based on a 40-hour work week.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: Bachelor's degree from an accredited four (4) year college or university. The coursework must have included at least three (3) courses in the biological sciences of which at least one course must be beyond the introductory level. Successful completion of such coursework must demonstrate an aptitude for, and a basic knowledge of the biological sciences.

Excess work experience as described under the Specialized Experience, below, or any other responsible administrative, professional or analytical work experience that provided knowledge, skills and abilities comparable to those acquired in four (4) years of successful study while completing a college or university curriculum leading to a baccalaureate degree with the above coursework, may be substituted on a year-for-year basis. To be acceptable, the experience must have been of such scope, level and quality as to assure the possession of comparable knowledge, skills and abilities.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT: One and one-half (1-1/2) years of progressively responsible professional work experience which demonstrated knowledge and application of the principles, practices, methods and techniques used in the identification, prevention and control of communicable diseases. The experience must demonstrate:

Knowledge of: 1) The causes and symptoms, and social and environmental factors affecting the transmission of communicable diseases; 2) Pertinent laws, regulations, administrative rules and policies relating to the reporting and control of communicable diseases; 3) The control methods, medical and epidemiological characteristics of communicable diseases; 4) Investigational, inspectional, educational & motivational methods and techniques; 5) Techniques and precautions in the collection, preparation, recording the transporting of specimens; and 6) Applicable provisions of confidentiality and freedom of information requirements; and the,

Ability to: 1) Conduct investigational & educational activities; 2) Interpret & apply pertinent laws, regulations, rules and policies; 3) Perform various clinical activities; and 4) Establish and maintain effective working relationships with afflicted persons, physicians, other public health personnel & the general public.

For the Epidemiological Specialist III and IV levels, at least one (1) year of the required experience must have been comparable to the next lower level in the State service.

LICENSE: Some positions may require a valid driver’s license. Please attach a copy to your application.

Substitution of Education for Experience:

1. A master's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in a biological science, Public Health, or related area, may be substituted for six (6) months of Specialized Experience.
2. A master's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Epidemiology or related area, may be substituted for one and one-half (1-1/2) years of Specialized Experience.
3. A Doctorate in Epidemiology, or related area, from an accredited college or university may be substituted for two and one-half (2-1/2) years of Specialized Experience.

WHO MAY APPLY

LEGAL AUTHORIZATION TO WORK REQUIREMENT: The State of Hawaii requires that all persons seeking employment with the government of the State shall be citizens, nationals, or permanent resident aliens of the United States, or eligible under federal law for unrestricted employment in the United States.

Recruitment deadline is continuous.