OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST II - 64802112

State of Florida; Tallahassee (FL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The Florida Department of Health seeks an OPS Biological Scientist II to support the Division of Public Health Statistics and Performance Management, OD2A-S program. You will review death certificates, autopsy reports, and toxicology findings, entering information into SUDORS and assisting with data validation.

You will travel for on-site data abstraction, coordinate with vital records, medical examiner offices, and law enforcement, and participate in annual statewide OD2A meetings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 2-3 years of professional experience required.
• Master’s degree may substitute for professional work experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, Teams, PowerPoint, Zoom).

Responsibilities

• Review death certificates and autopsy reports and enter data into SUDORS.
• Support overdose surveillance team and coordinate data efforts.
• Participate in data validation and manual narrative reviews.
• Travel to on-site data abstraction and attend annual OD2A meetings.
• Maintain relationships with vital records, medical examiner offices, and law enforcement.

Skills

Detail-oriented

Strong communication

Independent work

Team collaboration

Excel

Word

Teams

PowerPoint

Zoom

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Public Health or related field

Master’s degree may substitute for professional experience

Tools

SUDORS database

Job description

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Requisition No:886102

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST II - 64802112

Division of Public Health Statistics and Performance Management - Public Health Research Section - Overdose Data to Action in States (OD2A-S) Program

Your Specific Responsibilities:

Review death certificates and medical examiner autopsy reports, including postmortem toxicology findings and death investigation documents, law enforcement reports, and enter information and narrative summaries into the State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS) database in a timely manner using established protocols.

Support the work of the drug overdose surveillance team to refine their fatal drug overdose data processing and ensure coordination in drug overdose data efforts.

Participate in data validation and case correction activities, including manual reviews of narrative fields.

Maintain working knowledge of all data-entry guidance, updates, and changes, to include learning new subject matter as it becomes relevant.

Travel to provide on-site data abstraction, as needed, and to annual statewide OD2A meetings.

Maintain working relationships with vital records and medical examiner offices, forensic centers, and law enforcement.

This role is involved in a dynamic public health program. As such, roles and responsibilities are subject to change as situations evolve. Roles and responsibilities listed above may be expanded upon or updated to match priorities and needs.

Follow all Departmental information security and confidentiality procedures and protocols.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Highly motivated and with the ability to work independently and within a team environment.

Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills.

Emotional resilience to deal with potentially triggering data on a daily basis.

Strong communication skills, both written and oral, with ability to be efficient and consistently deliver high-quality work under time constraints.

Experience in navigating a variety of computer systems and software; ability to learn new systems quickly and to comply with data security to safeguard all personal identifiable information.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree with 2-3 years of professional experience is required. A Master’s degree in Public Health or closely related discipline may substitute for professional work experience.

Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Zoom.

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:

Innovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely.

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

Accountability: We perform with integrity & respect.

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

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

Where You Will Work:

Work Location

This position is located on campus, in person, at the Department of Health Central Office Complex in Tallahassee, Florida.

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. As an OPS employee, the benefits below are available:

State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (mandatory)

Participation in state group insurance (upon meeting eligibility requirements. Consult with People First and/or the serving HR office)

Workers’ Compensation (mandatory, if needed)

Reemployment Assistance (Unemployment Compensation) (mandatory, if needed)

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.