EPIDEMIOLOGIST III - 64086163

State of Florida; Sky Lake (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Florida Department of Health – Orange County is seeking an Epidemiologist III to conduct epidemiologic investigations, disease surveillance, and outbreak response within the Epidemiology Program. This full-time role requires expertise in HAI/AR organisms and public health surveillance, with emphasis on timely reporting and data-driven interventions.

The position involves field and office work, collaboration with healthcare facilities, and coordination of laboratory support.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Epidemiology/Public Health or natural/physical science; substitution allowed with 4 years of infectious disease investigation experience.
• 3+ years in acute infectious disease investigations in a public health department.
• Ability to deploy for in-state and/or out-of-state emergencies.

Responsibilities

• Conduct epidemiologic investigations, surveillance, and interventions for HAI/AR organisms.
• Provide infection prevention and control guidance to healthcare facilities.
• Coordinate laboratory support and collaborate with regional epidemiologists.
• Train and supervise disease surveillance activities and investigations.
• Attend meetings and represent the department in trainings and exercises.

Skills

Advanced epidemiology

Public health surveillance

Data analysis

Report writing

Communication

Project coordination

Emergency deployment

Education

Master’s degree in Epidemiology or Public Health

4 years of infectious disease investigations experience (substitution for Master’s)

Tools

Merlin

ESSENCE

Epi Info

MS Word/Excel/Access/PowerPoint

Job description

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The State Personnel System is an E-Verify employer. For more information click on our E-Verify Website .

Requisition No:885922

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: EPIDEMIOLOGIST III - 64086163

Location: 6101 Lake Ellenor Drive – Epidemiology

**DOH – Orange is a tobacco free agency.

**This advertisement may be used to fill future vacancies as they become available.

NOTE: Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Willing and able to work in the office or in the field daily to perform the job duties and responsibilities of the position.
• Authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship.
• Willing to work before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days in the event of an emergency. Emergency duties may also include in-state and/or out-of-state deployment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduate of an accredited college or university Master’s degree program in Epidemiology, Public Health, or natural or physical science. (4 years of experience in infectious disease investigations in a public sector health department may be substituted in lieu of a Master’s degree.)
• At least 3 years of professional experience conducting acute infectious disease investigations, specifically “suspect immediately” and “immediately” reportable diseases per FAC 64D-3.029, in a public health department.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provides a broad range of services in the Epidemiology Program as a full-time County Epidemiologist. This position conducts epidemiologic investigations, surveillance, and interventions related to Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI)/Antimicrobial Resistant (AR) organisms to support health care facilities and the Florida Department of Health in Orange County. The County HAI Epidemiologist will have extensive knowledge of the principles of HAI/AR, public health surveillance, and the application of epidemiological methods to HAI/AR organisms.

Serve as subject matter expert on Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practices, HAI organisms, public health surveillance and epidemiological investigations. Provide timely infection prevention and control consultation to health care organizations and congregate settings. Analyze, evaluate, research, and interpret scientific guidelines/protocols, policies, and regulations. Support HAI/AR epidemiological investigations including outbreak or case creation in Merlin. Support onsite prevention and response infection prevention and control assessments as needed, including a review of health care facilities infection prevention plans, direct observation of infection control practices using a standardized tool (e.g., Infection Control Assessment and Response [ICAR] Tool), and surveillance capacity. Conduct follow-up site assessments within 3 weeks of initial visit to ensure that the healthcare facility has implemented mitigation recommendations based on report findings. Ensure findings from on-site visits and summarize them in a report and/or tracking system, with key findings and recommendations provided to the participating healthcare facility. Train, coordinate, review, and evaluate the activities of disease surveillance and investigations. Provide education and training to facilities on participating in HAI investigations and response (e.g. ICARs, contaminated medical products, routine facility outbreaks, etc.). Coordinate laboratory support for testing and typing of specimens and isolates in collaboration with the Regional Epidemiologists and Bureau of Public Health Laboratories (BPHL). Collaborate with health care facilities and congregate settings for improving outbreak detection and reporting.

Provides technical guidance and completes epidemiological investigations for the required reporting of communicable diseases and conditions in Orange County for emerging pathogens and provides assistance as requested for neighboring counties as it relates to emerging infectious diseases. Coordinates, investigates, analyzes and controls outbreaks of suspected diseases in the community for emerging or novel infectious disease preparedness response.

Attends and/or facilitates meetings and attends conferences representing the department. Appears at public meetings, lectures to groups as requested. Participates in local, regional or statewide training and exercises directed to county health department staff and public health partners.Participates in quality improvement trainings and exercises as it relates to the county health department including clinical sites.

Participates in rotational on-call activities including utilization of radio/telephone contacting systems with the CHD and medical community and must respond within 15 minutes of initiation of call.

Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES, INCLUDING UTILIZATION OF EQUIPMENT, REQUIRED FOR THE POSITION:

• Ability to apply advanced epidemiological principles and practices.
• Skill to conduct thorough epidemiological case investigations and timely follow up.
• Ability to complete assessments as part of the epidemiological investigation.
• Ability to interpret laboratory results correctly and apply appropriate control measures based on informed interpretation of state and federal guidance.
• Skilled in methods to collect data and ability to ensure high data quality.
• Skilled in data analysis and interpretation.
• Ability to utilize problem-solving techniques.
• Ability to complete reports in a timely manner.
• Ability to effectively utilize of basic computer equipment and programs, office equipment, and epidemiology programs, including MS Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Publisher, statistical software (e.g. Epi Info), syndromic surveillance system (e.g. ESSENCE, Merlin).
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to communicate effectively with coworkers and stakeholders.
• Ability to design complex research projects and analytical assessments.
• Ability to write effectively in a technical format for journal and peer reviewed journals.

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH MISSION, VISION, AND VALUES:

Mission:

To protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county & community efforts.

Vision:

To be theHealthiestState in the Nation.

Values:

I nnovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely.

C ollaboration: We use teamwork to achieve common goals & solve problems.

A ccountability: We perform with integrity & respect.

R esponsiveness: We achieve our mission by serving our customers & engaging our partners.

E xcellence: We promote quality outcomes through learning & continuous performance improvement.

Where You Will Work:

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year;
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options;
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions

Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process.

This position requires a security background check and/or drug screening and participation in direct deposit. Any misrepresentations or omissions will disqualify you from employment consideration. Note: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) in order to conduct this background check Successful completion of a drug test is a condition of employment for safety-sensitive positions.

Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.

The successful candidate will be required to complete the Form I-9 and that information will be verified using the E-Verify system. E-Verify is operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration to verify employment eligibility.

Incumbents may be required to perform emergency duty before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days.

All Florida Department of Health positions require the incumbent to be able to learn and communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in English. Applicants who do not meet this requirement will not be considered.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-877-562-7287). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

Florida has the third largest population of veterans in the nation with more than 1.5 million service men and women. The Florida Department of Health (department) is committed to serving members of the United States Armed Forces, veterans and their families by encouraging them to apply for vacancies that fit their area of knowledge and/or expertise. Through the Department's VALOR program, which expedites licensing for military veterans, the Department also waives initial licensing and application fees for military veterans who apply for a health care professional license within 60 months of an honorable discharge. These initiatives help ensure that the transition from military service into the workforce is as smooth as possible and reflects our appreciation for the dedication devoted to protecting our country.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes,candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here . All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.

For assistance, call the People First Service Center at [phone] Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Eastern time. Pursuant to Florida Law, 110.211 F. S., the State of Florida is an EEO employer.