OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV

Requisition No: 845463

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV - 64959392

Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 64959392

Salary: $25.00

Posting Closing Date: 02/09/2025

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

IN SEMINOLE COUNTY

JOB OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT

OPEN COMPETITIVE

Class Title: OPS Biological Scientist IV

Position Number: 64959392

Base Salary: $25.00/hour at 40 hours per week

Location: Florida Department of Health in Seminole County

400 W. Airport Blvd

Sanford, FL 32773

Your Specific Responsibilities:

The Florida Department of Health in Seminole County is looking for a self-motivated, independent, and hardworking individual to fill an OPS Biological Scientist IV position located in Sanford, FL.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

This is a highly responsible and independent Epidemiologist position which will be under the direct supervision of the Operations & Management Consultant II-SES of the Florida Department of Health in Seminole County.

• Enhances surveillance and communication between the Florida Department of Health in Seminole County and hospitals, walk-in clinics, private providers, laboratories, veterinarians, schools, and daycares serving Seminole County residents and visitors.
• Conducts epidemiological investigations of sporadic notifiable diseases and outbreaks of diseases of public health significance in the community.
• Completes data entry into the Florida Department of Health’s statewide disease reporting database as well as in local databases for local and statewide response activities.
• Requests medical records from healthcare facilities where cases were tested to abstract case demographic information, symptomology, risk factors for disease, sources of exposure and close contacts the case exposed while infectious, as needed.
• Conducts interviews via telephone or in person.
• Links cases with local resources.
• Provides education in how diseases under investigation are transmitted and how to prevent further transmission.
• Elevates any complex or high-priority case to the leadership immediately to identify and respond to cases, clusters, and outbreaks of public health concern.
• Updates all logs and databases on a routine basis as established.
• Conducts data analysis and creates reports using internal, external, state, and private data.
• Maps data using geographic information system (GIS) for use in analyzing infectious and chronic disease clusters.
• Produces final reports, publications and newsletters regarding outbreaks, disease trends and prevention messages.
• Completes required paperwork including case management records and forms, interview records, field investigations, statistical reports, and narratives.
• Ensures timely follow up of appropriate measures and notification of manager as assigned.
• Assists with employee/occupation health including but not limited to assess level of risk to infectious diseases during an occupational exposure.
• Monitors and follows up on syndromic surveillance system for evidence of biological events, missed reportable diseases via emergency department chief complaints, vital statistics reports and poison control reports, and potential disease outbreaks. Report significant findings to appropriate staff and partner agencies.
• Assists the Manager/Supervisor in formulating responses to the community regarding communicable disease outbreaks and meeting with state and local officials regarding public health issues.
• Assists in preparing grant proposals and other documentation required for securing funds for program needs.
• Attends program staff meetings and committee meetings at the request of the Manager/Supervisor.
• Represents DOH-Seminole at community activities.
• Prepares and conducts presentations or trainings for staff and partners as needed.
• Adheres to local and statewide policies and procedures for data entry, information security, and case interviews.

The employee will perform other duties as required including but not limited to, working beyond normal work hours or days in the event of an emergency, natural disaster, outbreak response, or terrorist event.

The employee will report to work in Sanford, FL to complete job duties. Remote work will not be considered.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of basic epidemiological principles and practices.
• Knowledge of the methods of data collection and analysis.
• Skill to conduct epidemiological case investigation applying public health methodology.
• Skill to collect and analyze disease surveillance data.
• Ability to discuss and handle patient information without breaching confidentiality.
• Skill in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Windows, Outlook, Excel, Word, Power Point, and statistical analysis software.
• Ability to conduct fact finding research.
• Ability to enter data into databases efficiently and with attention to detail.
• Ability to be detail oriented.
• Ability to determine work priorities and ensure proper completion of work assignments.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in cultural competency and emotional intelligence when communicating with cases and co-workers of various backgrounds.
• Ability to communicate effectively with clients, staff, and the community.
• Ability to prepare and deliver presentations to staff and the community.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to solve problems and make decisions.
• Ability to think critically about epidemiological investigation findings and report significant findings to Manager/Supervisor/Team Lead.
• Ability to effectively listen and understand program operational updates during meetings and in email.
• Ability to collect, evaluate and analyze data to develop alternative recommendations, solve problems, document work and other activities relating to the improvement of operational practices.
• Ability to organize data into logical format for presentation in reports, documents, and other written materials.

Minimum Qualifications:

Preferred Qualifications:

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:

400 West Airport Blvd, Sanford Florida 32773

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)
• Deferred Compensation (voluntary)
• Employee Assistance Program (voluntary)
• And more!

For a more complete list of benefits, including monthly costs, 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. 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.

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.