SENIOR PUBLIC HEALTH INVESTIGATOR

City-of-Houston,-T; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Houston Health Department is seeking a Senior Public Health Investigator in the Bureau of Tuberculosis Control. The role involves advanced TB/TBI investigations, contact tracing, treatment adherence monitoring, and care coordination to control communicable diseases.

Key duties include TB case interviews, field visits, DOT provision, and coordination with healthcare providers. A driver’s license and bilingual ability are preferred, with pay grade 16 and city benefits.

Qualifications

• Requires an Associate’s degree in a related field.
• Two years of experience in the public health field are required.
• Preference shall be given to bilingual candidates with Texas driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Conduct initial and follow-up interviews of TB cases to identify contacts.
• Perform field visits for contact investigations and administer TB tests.
• Coordinate medical evaluations and follow up on results with healthcare providers.
• Provide Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) for TB and TB infection patients.

Skills

Interviewing

Field visits

Contact tracing

DOT administration

Bilingual

Education

Associate’s degree

Tools

QuantiFERON-TB Gold (QFT)

TB skin tests

Job description

Applications Accepted From: All Persons Interested

Division: Public Health Services Branch

Section: Bureau of Tuberculosis

Location: 8000 N. Stadium Dr., Houston, TX. 77054

Workday & Hours: Monday-Friday, Flexible* Subject to change

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The Houston Health Department is seeking a highly skilled, self-motivated professional to serve as a Senior Public Health Investigator within the Bureau of Tuberculosis Control. This role involves advanced investigation of tuberculosis (TB) and TB infection (TBI), including contact tracing, treatment adherence monitoring, and care coordination to support communicable disease control. Essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Conducts initial and follow-up interviews of reported and suspected TB cases to identify and prioritize contacts, with emphasis on high-risk populations including children under five years of age and immunocompromised individuals.
• Conducts field visits for contact investigations, including performing QuantiFERON-TB Gold (QFT) tests and/or administering and interpreting TB skin tests in accordance with established protocols.
• Coordinates and schedules medical evaluations for identified contacts and follows up on results with healthcare providers.
• Provides Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) for TB and TBI patients, including medication delivery, sputum specimen collection, and visual acuity assessments in accordance with program guidelines.
... (trimmed for brevity) ...

WORKING CONDITIONS

There are frequent exposures to extreme levels of temperature, air pollution, noise pollution, chemical gases and substances, and/or contagious diseases or physical trauma conditions of a short-term disabling nature, such as broken bones or temporary loss of sight or hearing.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Requires an Associate’s degree in Social Sciences, Physical Sciences, Public Health or a closely relatedfield.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Two years of experience in the public health field is required.

SUBSTITUTION

Pertinent professional experience in the public health field may be substituted for the above educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.

LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

Requires a valid Texas driver’s license and compliance with the City of Houston policy of driving.

Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6.

• Bilingual

SELECTION/SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED

None. However, the Department may administer a skills assessment test.

SAFETY IMPACT POSITION

Yes

If yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and if candidate is promoted into this position, he/she must pass an assigned drug test.

SALARY INFORMATION

GENERAL FUND POSITION

Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate's qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification.

Pay Grade 16

EOE Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.