Disease Control Specialist III

 
 
Located in the heart of the Baltimore/Washington corridor, Prince George’s County borders Washington D.C. and is just 37 miles south of the city of Baltimore. Encompassing almost 500 square miles, with over 900,000 residents Prince George's County has an urban atmosphere that still manages to provide a scenic and peaceful place to live, work, and play.
 

 The Prince George's County Government Department of Health is seeking qualified applicants to fill an Disease Control Specialist III position, grade A24 within its Health/Environmental/Disease Control Division.

 About the Position:  
This is a professional and advanced level position which involves investigative and specialized/technical work performed in order to identify, control, and prevent the occurrence of communicable and vector-borne diseases in the County.  Work is performed under the supervision of a higher level Disease Control Specialist.
 
This is an essential personnel position with the expectation of working during a disaster or emergency event.What You'll Do:  

• Performs as lead investigator in conducting epidemiologic investigations of communicable and vector-borne diseases within the county including animal exposures as needed.
• Conduct interviews and provides appropriate case follow-up.
• Identifies contacts and susceptible.
• Reduces transmission of disease through a variety of intervention effects and education of clients.
• Provides education, recommendations, and information to health care providers, clients, and the public on a variety of communicable and vector-borne /zoonoticdiseases, including specific disease entities, pre and post exposure rabies treatment, and procedures for testing humans and animals, etc. 
• Makes public presentations, provides in-services, and education regarding prevention and control of communicable and vector-borne/ zoonotic diseases.
• Collects, evaluates, and interprets epidemiological and statistical data pertaining to investigations and surveillance activities.
• Prepares investigation summary reports, surveillance reports, charts, and graphs pertaining to the activities of the program.
• Enters data from surveillance activities into the National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NEDSS), the Chameleon system, or into other databases.
• Updates information on infectious diseases that have been previously entered into the NEDSS system or into any other database.
• Collects a variety of human specimens, including performing venipuncture, for laboratory analysis.
• Interprets lab findings and relays results to the health care provider and client.
• Maintains supply of lab test kits.
• Assists in coordinating testing of suspect rabid animals and birds suspected of being infected with Psittacosis, with Animal Management Group lab, and State Rabies Lab.
• Receives and/or collects specimens for testing.
• Packs specimens, if necessary, for transport to the lab.
• Transports specimens, if necessary, to the lab.
• Receives and relays lab findings to those involved. 
• Performs a variety of related duties and responsibilities, which may not be specified herein, but are within the scope of tasks typically associated with the applicable class of work.
• Participates in Public Health Emergency Preparedness activities.
• Participates on the Health Department’s Emergency Response Team that provides after-hours, weekend, and holiday coverage for the county and the CVDC calls coverage as assigned during normal business hours.  

 
 MINIMUM QUALFICATIONS
What You'll Need:  

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university, with a major in or a minimum of thirty (30) semester credits in one of the biological, physical and/or social sciences, plus
•  Two (2) years experience in Public Health investigative work; 

  
 PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Masters in Public Health or related field is a plus.
• 2-3 years of Disease investigation to include program management and interaction with multiple stakeholders in the community and in the professional setting.

 CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: Upon selection, the candidate must: 

• Learn and stay up to date on all County, State and Federal policies and regulations,  as it pertains to the requirements of the job description.  
•  Pass a thorough background investigation
• Possess and maintain a valid driver's license
• Pass a through employment physical examination
• Meet all training and performance standards and demonstrate proficiency as required by the agency. 
• Wear and use agency protective apparel and equipment in the performance of their assigned duties. 
• Participate as an "Essential" employee in the department's  program and other emergency or special activities as assigned. 

 
 
DURATION OF ELIGIBILITY: Candidates will be selected from a temporary register of eligible candidates, which will become effective approximately four (4) weeks after the closing date. Once a selection has been made, the register will expire.
   
ELIGIBILITY TO WORK: Under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, an employer is required to hire only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers. Applicants who are selected for employment will be required to show and verify authorization to work in the United States.
 
 This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S., only after an offer has been accepted and the Form I-9 is completed. For information on E-Verify, or if you believe the County has violated its E-Verify responsibilities, please contact the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) at 888-897-7781 or visit their website at dhs.gov/e-verify.
 
ONLY ONLINE APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.   
 
Internal Applicants: If you are a current Prince George's County Government employee and seeking a promotion, in accordance with Section 16-200 of the Personnel Law, you have the right to appeal a rejection rating within five (5) working days of receiving a rejection notice.  Union employees should refer to their respective collective bargaining agreement and/or union representative for their grievance procedure.
 

Salary : $58,890 - $111,778