EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SPECIALIST III

State of Hawaiʻi; Honolulu (HI); 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 identify, prevent and control communicable diseases on Kauai.

You will conduct field interviews and investigations, educate patients and contacts to follow public health regulations, and contribute to community disease prevention efforts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biological sciences with at least three courses in biological sciences.
• Specialized epidemiology knowledge through coursework or experience is required.
• Ability to conduct investigational and educational activities in public health.
• License may be required for certain positions (driver’s license).

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Investigational methods

Educational outreach

Motivational techniques

Public health

Education

Bachelor's degree in biological sciences

Master's degree in biology/epidemiology

Job description

Recruitment Information

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.

Duties Summary 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.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

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

• The causes and symptoms, and social and environmental factors affecting the transmission of communicable diseases; Pertinent laws, regulations, administrative rules and policies relating to the reporting and control of communicable diseases; The control methods, medical and epidemiological characteristics of communicable diseases; lnvestigational, 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

• Conduct investigational & educational activities;
• Interpret & apply pertinent laws, regulations, rules and policies;
• Perform various clinical activities; and
• 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

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Other Information

Recruitment deadline is continuous.

Your Job Benefits With The State Of Hawai'i

The State of Hawaii offers its employees who are members of the civil service a range of benefits. Some benefits are offered as a result of collective bargaining agreements and changes may occur.

A summary of these benefits, which is based on full-time employment, is listed below.

Note: Benefits for NON-CIVIL SERVICE appointments will be provided by the hiring department at the time of interview.

Paid Holidays

You may be eligible for 13 paid holidays each year; 14 holidays during an election year.

Paid Vacation

You may earn vacation leave at a rate that other employers find tough to match – 21 days each full year from the FIRST year of employment. This compares to an average of 10 days offered by private companies. You may accumulate up to a total of 90 days (720 hours) of vacation.

Paid Sick Leave

You may earn sick leave at the same rate as vacation – 21 days per year from the FIRST year, and there is no limit on the amount you can accumulate. Expectant mothers may also use sick leave for pre-natal or post-natal check-ups or any illness related to pregnancy. Plus, unused accumulated sick leave may eventually be used to increase your retirement benefits in certain situations.

Other Leaves

Reasonable time off with pay may be provided for jury or witness duty, a death in the family, some military duty, and donation to the Blood Bank. Leave sharing donations may be granted to eligible employees who have serious personal illnesses or injuries or need to care for a seriously ill or injured family member. Various leaves without pay may also be granted with full re-employment rights.

Health Insurance

The State pays a part of the premiums for each employee's enrollment in a State sponsored Medical, Drug, Vision, and Dental Plan. For more information, visit the Employer Union Trust Fund website www.eutf.hawaii.gov for coverage and options.

Group Life Insurance

The State provides a free life insurance policy for employees.

Retirement Plan

The State contributes to a retirement plan for eligible employees. Generally, employees under the Hybrid Plan with 10 years of credited service and who have reached 65 years of age or have 30 years of credited service and have reached 60 years of age may retire and receive benefits. To find out more about the options you have, go to http://ers.ehawaii.gov.

Premium Conversion Plan

Participating employees may increase their take-home pay by having the State deduct the cost of health care premiums before payroll taxes are withheld.

Flexible Spending Accounts

Eligible employees can reduce their federal and state income taxes and social security taxes through a tax-savings benefit program called Island Flex. This program allows employees to set aside money from their paychecks to pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and eligible dependent care expenses on a BEFORE-TAX basis.

Transportation Benefits

Participating employees may increase their take-home pay by having the State deduct qualified transportation expenses (i.e. eligible parking fees, monthly bus passes for TheBus, fare coupons for The Handi-Van, Vanpool Hawaii participation fee, etc.) through pre-tax payroll deductions.

Deferred Compensation

The State offers employees a voluntary pre-tax retirement savings plan designed to give employees a tax break today and an opportunity to build a retirement nest egg through voluntary payroll deductions. Several types of investment options are available.

Temporary Disability Insurance

Qualified employees may be eligible to receive benefits for a disability caused by a non-work related injury or illness under this program.

Social Security

As an employer, the State also contributes to an employee's social security account.

Promotions & Transfers

For employees with membership in the civil service, the State offers promotion and transfer opportunities throughout the State Executive Branch.

Training & Continuing Education

The State supports developmental activities related to an employee's work. In many departments there are numerous in-service training opportunities available. Sabbatical leaves with pay are available for qualified employees.

Travel Expenses

The State may pay for certain business related travel expenses including mileage reimbursement for use of a personal car during work, airfare, meals and lodging expenses for trips to neighbor islands or out of state.

Incentive & Service Awards

The State has a program that recognizes employees for their years of service and provides cash awards for their superior accomplishments and other contributions that improve State operations.

Union & Collective Bargaining

Employees have the right to join the union for collective bargaining with the State and employee representation. Some employee unions provide discounts, insurance and other opportunities. Employees may also decided not to join a union, however, employees are required to pay union service fees unless the employee's job is excluded from collective bargaining.

The above information is solely intended as a summary of the benefits available to State of Hawaii employees and is subject to change. Whether or not you are entitled to a particular benefit will depend on your specific appointment and employment status (included, excluded, exempt, non-exempt). Please refer to the appropriate collective bargaining agreement or executive order and all applicable laws, rules, policies, or plan documents for further details. Nothing herein shall be deemed as creating an employment contract, promise of employment, promise of continued employment, or obligation of any kind on the part of the State of Hawaii.

The State of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Revised 01/13