EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SPECIALIST III

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

Job summary

State of Hawaii — Kauai District Health Office in Lihue is seeking an Epidemiological Specialist to identify, prevent and control communicable diseases. The role involves field investigations, community education, and collaboration with health personnel across the district.

Qualifications include a bachelor’s degree with biology coursework and 1.5 years of specialized experience in epidemiology or related fields. A driver’s license may be required.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree with at least three biology courses, one beyond introductory level.
• Specialized Experience: 1.5 years in epidemiology related to communicable diseases.
• Knowledge/Ability: laws, regulations, reporting, confidentiality, and investigation.
• Abilities: conduct investigational/educational activities; apply laws; perform clinical tasks; build relationships.
• License: may require a valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Identify, prevent and control communicable diseases through epidemiological activities.
• Educate and motivate patients, contacts and suspects to comply with regulations.
• Conduct field interviewing and investigation to obtain source spread information.
• Perform informational-educational activities for disease prevention in the community.

Skills

Knowledge of communicable diseases

Laws and regulations

Investigational methods

Specimen collection & transport

Confidentiality & FOIA

Clinical activities

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor's degree in biological sciences

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.