BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST III

Requisition No: 845351

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST III - 64030018

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 64030018

Salary: $41,561 - $44,060

Posting Closing Date: 01/31/2025

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Thank you for your interest in career opportunities with the Florida Department of Health in Pasco County. If you are looking to establish a successful career in Public Health, you have come to the right place. Many of our innovative and successful health programs are recognized throughout Florida. We hope you decide to join our team! Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for an interview.

The incumbent is part of a global public health organization and is expected to support the Florida Department of Health in Pasco County in its mission to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts and its efforts and its vision to be the Healthiest State in the Nation. Furthermore, the incumbent is expected to incorporate the agency values of Innovation, Collaboration, Accountability, Responsiveness and Excellence in all aspects of their work.

Your Specific Responsibilities:

Incumbent serves as a Biological Scientist III responsible for carrying out a range of investigative and analytical epidemiologic activities related to the surveillance, detection, and prevention of diseases and injuries. Incumbent works as a team member, under the direction of an Operations & Management Consultant Manager-SES, conducting routine epidemiologic functions comprising surveillance, data collection, and data analysis using basic epidemiologic methods.

The purpose of this position is to conduct epidemiologic investigations used in preventing and controlling specific communicable diseases. Work efforts performed by the incumbent aid in monitoring the health status of the community, identifying trends or outbreaks of disease, and providing data and information about corrective actions to promote and protect public health.

The incumbent works independently as experience is acquired and receives assistance/guidance from Operations & Management Consultant Manager-SES on controversial issues or assignments for which precedent studies are not available. Incumbent plans, coordinates, and carries out the steps, policies, procedures, and practices of epidemiological investigations.

Follows up and investigates suspect and confirmed reportable diseases and conditions per section 381.0031 F.S. These are diseases and conditions which can impact the public health in the community. Conditions include but are not limited to enteric diseases, vaccine preventable disease, meningitis, hepatitis, parasitic diseases, zoonotic diseases, bioterrorism agents and toxins. Collects data from laboratory reports, patient charts, members of the medical community, schools, and other facilities to complete epidemiological reports on ill patients and contacts. Obtains and arranges for collection of laboratory samples for confirmation of diagnoses for release of patients to occupations and schools. Make hospital and health care facility visits, home visits to complete epidemiological reports, observe conditions, teach, counsel and recommend course of action on mode of disease transmission and preventative measures as necessary. Coordinates prophylactic treatment or immunizations as needed. Provides technical assistance for the required reporting of communicable diseases and conditions in Pasco County including but not limited to assisting in outbreak management. Produces final reports, publications and newsletters regarding outbreaks, disease trends, prevention messages etc. Works under the supervision of the Epidemiology Program Manager to coordinate the activities of the Rabies Prevention Program including: maintaining vaccine inventory and appropriate vaccine storage protocols, assuring appropriate referral to appropriate medical provider, immunizations program, or other entity for completion of rabies vaccine series, and documenting any refusal of services or delayed treatment. Works with animal control in conducting animal exposure investigations. Performs food/drinking water/recreational waterborne illness investigations from intake to final reporting out of case.

Develops and/or uses databases and software programs to gather and maintain needed data for infectious disease prevention, evaluation, and quality improvement efforts. Contributes to the development and preparation of proposals for funding from external resources (from local, state, and federal) for infectious disease prevention initiatives and programs. Searches for opportunities to increase staff capacity via external staffing opportunities. Serve on internal and external committees involved in policy development; coordinate review/comment processes for proposed policy documents. Identifies potential barriers to new policy development and implementation. Distributes publications via email, fax, external webpage, and EpiCom postings. Documents work and services consistent with agency protocols and policy. Serves as a subject matter expert in infection control related matters.

Serves as a member of the Epidemiology Strike Team. Actively participates as a member on internal or external committees or workgroups or other outreach activities. Attends meetings, conferences and educational seminars as appropriate. Develops reports, attends trainings. Serves as tertiary back-up during absence of manager and secondary back-up. Serves as tertiary back-up for internal IMT planning section. Serves as a mentor to interns (EIS, PHAP, master level students, and Dietetic interns). Manage increase in daily case load during staffing shortage.

Performs other duties as necessary.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Ability to perform epidemiologic assessment and analysis.

Ability to recognize public health problems pertinent to the population.

Ability to conduct surveillance activities.

Apply principles of ethical/legal practice as relates to data collection, dissemination and use.

Ability to organize data from surveillance, investigation or other sources.

Ability to summarize results of an epidemiologic investigation and draw conclusions.

Knowledge of community resources.

Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.

Ability to communicate effectively.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Ability to teach health care.

Know how causes of disease affect epidemiologic practice.

Identify the role of laboratory resources in epidemiologic activities.

Use identified technological tools to support epidemiologic practice.

Ability to use basic epidemiology communication skills.

Prepare written and oral reports and presentations.

Use effective communication techniques.

Use skills that foster collaborations, strong partnerships and team building to accomplish epidemiology program objectives

Qualifications:

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the biological sciences and one year of professional biological experience in a field or laboratory program; or

A master's degree from an accredited college or university in one of the biological sciences.

Certification in Infection Control.

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 the Healthiest State 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:

13941 15th Street

Dade City, FL 33525

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;
• Paid Parental Leave;
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental,vision, and other supplemental insurance options;

Your take home pay can be significantly influenced by your insurance premiums. Compare your current premium with the State of Florida employee premiums!

• Monthly employee premium for the standard PPO/HMO:
• Single coverage is $50
• Family coverage is $180
• Monthly employee premium for the High Deductible Health Plan PPO/HMO:
• Single coverage is $15
• Family coverage is $64.30

• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions

(For more information, please click www.myfrs.com);

• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more!

For a more complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

Please be advised:

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. Note: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) in order to conduct this background check.

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.

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.

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

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.