OPS Biological Scientist III - 64906232

Ops Biological Scientist III - 64906232

This position requires you to work on site at one of our facilities located throughout Broward County. This is an OPS (Other Personal Services) position and as such no paid time off is offered. Health benefits will be offered for full-time employment. OPS employees are eligible to participate in a deferred compensation plan.

We request that all applications be completed with People First - no faxed or mailed applications to the agency. Experience, education, and/or training used to meet the minimum qualifications and in response to the qualifying questions must be verifiable through information contained in your application. When completing the online application, all gaps of employment or education greater than 90 days starting from high school must be explained (approximate date, month, and year) identifying company name or if unemployed. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Position duties and responsibilities include: conducting complex research studies for surveillance of disease and disease syndromes (of individuals and population outbreaks) to include diseases associated with food, water, and those suspected of being due to a weapon of mass destruction biological agents. This process would include interviewing individuals and writing up these reports so they can be submitted to the electronic database. This may also entail questionnaire and interview design. Will also advise patients regarding their disease and how to prevent future occurrence (if the disease can recur). Initiate case investigations for reported diseases on the direction of surveillance and investigation supervisors during specified time intervals. This may include appropriate and targeted field investigations and notification of managers for appropriate action. The position involves looking at the data entered and writing reports. Also, provide oral and written presentations to both health department employees and the community. Investigate specialized research projects and give recommendations. Participate in teleconferences, Epicom, and various meetings where regional and state information is shared. Will visit and consult with community health care providers giving information to the current reporting requirements for communicable disease. Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum qualifications include: willingness to work before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days in the event of an emergency. A valid driver's license, free of major infractions and access to an automobile to be utilized for work purposes. Currently working or finished a master's degree in public health. Experience investigating multiple infectious diseases. Experience conducting appropriate and targeted field investigations regarding infectious diseases. Preferred qualifications include: bilingual, English/Haitian Creole, or English/Spanish. Experience in Public Health research. Experience in food handling, safety, protocols, and food inspections. Experience in conducting surveillance including ESSENCE, Influenza Like Illness surveillance (ILI), CDC's Epidemic Information Exchange (Epi-X) or Vital Statistics surveillance. Experience working with statistical software (SAS, SPSS, Epi Info, Access, Excel).

The Florida Department of Health mission is to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts. The vision is to be the healthiest state in the nation. The values are Innovation, Collaboration, Accountability, Responsiveness, and Excellence.

The benefits of working for the State of Florida include: State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (mandatory), Participation in state group insurance (upon meeting eligibility requirements), 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.

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. 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. 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.