OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV - 64952467

Florida; Saint Petersburg (FL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Florida Department of Health in St. Petersburg is seeking an OPS Biological Scientist IV to support surveillance and investigation of communicable diseases. You will handle data workflows, analyze trends, and contribute to outbreak responses under regulatory guidelines.

Responsibilities include coordinating data collection, preparing reports, and collaborating with hospitals and public health partners to protect community health.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of data collection and analysis methods.
• Knowledge of public health policies incl. HIPAA.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, Epi Info, SAS and/or SPSS.
• Able to extract data and format for reports.
• Ability to access multiple databases.
• Ability to design evaluation activities and surveys.
• Plan, organize, and coordinate multiple projects.
• Communicate effectively in writing and verbally.
• Work independently with critical thinking and problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Perform investigation, data entry, and follow-up for communicable disease control.
• Perform daily surveillance, data analysis, and management using ESSENCE, Merlin, Epi Gateway.
• Follow up on ELR and faxed reports, collecting demographics and clinical data.
• Confirm diagnosis and determine infection sources; recommend control measures.
• Coordinate therapeutic or prophylactic treatment as needed.
• Collect and transmit laboratory specimens for diagnostic study.
• Monitor clients during infectious periods and ensure proper follow-up.
• Maintain records of essential information for disease investigations.
• Provide communicable disease alerts to contain spread.
• Collaborate with infection control in hospitals and facilities.

Skills

Data collection

Data analysis

Public health

HIPAA privacy

Microsoft Office

Epi Info

SAS

SPSS

Report writing

Database access

Education

MPH/MSPH

Tools

Epi Info

SAS

SPSS

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

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

Requisition No:884533

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV - 64952467

This position is pending reclassification to OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV

Open Competitive

Your specific responsibilities include:

• Perform investigation, data entry, and follow-up for the prevention and control of communicable diseases including, but not limited to, reportable diseases, foodborne and waterborne illnesses, general infectious diseases, and influenza (seasonal and pandemic).
• Perform daily surveillance, data analysis, and management using ESSENCE, Merlin data systems, Epi Gateway, and other databases as needed.
• Follow up on all Electronic Laboratory Reports (ELR) and faxed reports as assigned to include but not limited to collecting basic demographics and clinical information on suspected cases
• Confirm diagnosis and determine probable source of infection, mode of transmission, extent of spread. Recommend appropriate control measures.
• Coordinate therapeutic or prophylactic treatment as needed.
• Collect and transmit appropriate laboratory specimens for diagnostic study.
• Monitor clients and susceptible clients during potentially infectious period or period of probable onset for proper follow-up on control measures.
• Maintains adequate records of essential information relevant to the communicable disease investigation.
• Provides communicable disease alerts as necessary to contain the spread of communicable diseases.
• Collaborates with infection control practitioners in hospitals, nursing homes, and other facilities for the identification, investigation, and control of infectious diseases.
• Prepares surveillance reports, data summaries, and other written documentation for publication, presentation, or dissemination. Create graphs and charts to illustrate data.
• Conduct studies and investigations related to outbreaks of public health significance.
• This position is expected to provide technical expertise to residents, visitors and professional level leaders within the community on a regular basis.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of methods of data collection and analysis
• Knowledge of public health policies and public health laws to include but not limited to information security and HIPAA.
• Skilled in computer software programs to facilitate job duties such as Microsoft Office Suite, Epi Info, SAS and/or SPSS.
• Skilled in extracting and preparing data and information into logical format for presentation in reports, documents, and other written materials that suit the needs of a variety of users.
• Ability to access and extract information from multiple databases.
• Ability to design and conduct evaluation activities and statistical surveys.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments and manage multiple projects.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships both internally and in the community.
• Ability to work independently using critical thinking and logic.
• Ability to use problem solving techniques.

Qualifications:

Minimum

• Valid Driver’s license and access to reliable transportation.

Preferred

• Currently pursuing an MPH or MSPH
• One (1) year of experience with epidemiology, communicable disease programs, and/or public health surveillance
• Experience reviewing laboratory results or medical records
• Experience with public speaking and/or education outreach activities

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 Healthiest State 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:

Department of Health in Pinellas County

205 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr St N,

St. Petersburg, FL 33701

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 on 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.

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.