County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

DEFINITION

Under general direction, coordinates, conducts, evaluates, improves, and implements Communicable Disease and Tuberculosis surveillance activities.

In collaboration with Acute Communicable Disease (ACD) and Tuberculosis Control (TBC) unit managers, coordinates mandated surveillance activities for reportable communicable disease cases and outbreaks and collaborates with partner agencies at the local, state, and federal levels. Analyzes, interprets, summarizes, and disseminates surveillance and outbreak data in written reports. Assists with developing, revising and implementing communicable disease surveillance systems, including development of protocols, data collection tools, surveillance information systems and reporting procedures.

Initiates and conducts epidemiologic investigations for select communicable diseases. Analyzes surveillance and outbreak investigation data to describe disease epidemiology and trends and determine mode of transmission and source of infection. Assists with data collection, analysis, interpretation and summarization to evaluate the timeliness and completeness of surveillance, public health interventions and activities (e.g., Results Based Accountability Indicators), and program performance for other quality improvement indicators. Provides technical consultation on surveillance to public health staff, community providers and laboratories. Performs other related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This class is located in the Public Health Department’s Division of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention (DCDCP) and reports to the Director of the Acute Communicable Disease and Tuberculosis Control Section. This journey-level classification is responsible for coordinating, conducting, evaluating, and implementing disease surveillance activities and analyzing surveillance and outbreak data. These activities will inform the development, and monitoring of prevention strategies, and assist in the early recognition, of communicable disease trends in Alameda County. The Communicable Disease Surveillance Practitioner is distinguished from the Epidemiologist series in that the latter plans, conducts and evaluates a variety of epidemiological research studies for targeted groups, whereas, the Communicable Disease Surveillance Practitioner specializes in communicable disease surveillance and analysis. Furthermore, it has responsibility of developing, updating, and evaluating the operational aspects of surveillance and related program activities in the Acute Communicable Disease and Tuberculosis Control Section.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Assists in the coordination, development, and evaluation of the daily surveillance activities in the Acute Communicable Disease and Tuberculosis Control Units.

2. Cleans, analyzes, interprets and summarizes surveillance and outbreak data for dissemination to DCDCP and Public Health Department leadership, health care partners, local and state public health agencies, and the public. Assists DCDCP leadership in responding to data requests about diseases and outbreaks managed by ACD and TBC Units.

3. Conducts epidemiological investigations of outbreaks, urgent cases of communicable diseases, and TB exposures. Analyzes the epidemiological investigation findings and redirects investigative efforts when appropriate.

4. Provides technical consultation to health care providers, staff, other health department units, heath facilities, schools, and other institutions in the community regarding disease reporting requirements.

5. Works with Unit managers and staff to develop and document data collection procedures and data entry rules; collaborates with information systems (IS) colleagues to define and document business requirements for program surveillance IS upgrades and development projects.

6. Works with Section Director and Unit Managers to develop and implement data collection and analysis plans for program quality improvement and Results Based Accountability.

7. Assists Section Director and Unit Managers to develop policies, protocols, procedures, and plans relating to public health surveillance and epidemiologic investigation functions, particularly as may be required for Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Public Health Accreditation.

8. Prepares detailed documentation of all surveillance and outbreak data procedures including: business rules, data cleaning, analysis plans and programs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EITHER I
Education:

Possession of a Bachelor's degree in a health science (e.g., nursing, health sciences), biological science, public health or biostatistics from an accredited college or university.

AND

Experience:

The equivalent of three years’ full-time, recent experience as an epidemiologist, public health investigator, disease control investigator, surveillance officer, or nurse-epidemiologist in a public health setting, with a minimum of one-year, full-time equivalent experience in the field of communicable disease surveillance and epidemiology investigations.

OR II
Education:

Possession of a Master’s or higher degree in public health, epidemiology, public health informatics, biostatistics or statistics from an accredited college or university.

AND

Experience:

The equivalent of two years’ full-time, recent experience as an epidemiologist, public health investigator, disease control investigator, surveillance officer, or nurse-epidemiologist in a public health setting, with a minimum of one-year full-time equivalent experience in the field of communicable disease surveillance and epidemiology investigations.

(Note: A Master’s or higher degree in a health or related field from an accredited college or university may be substituted for the one year of general public health or hospital experience.)

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• State and Federal regulations pertaining to communicable disease surveillance and control.
• Public health communicable disease surveillance practices and procedures, including systematic evaluation of surveillance systems and data quality.
• Data cleaning.
• Descriptive statistics and appropriate statistical tests.
• Descriptive and analytical epidemiologic methods.
• Communicable disease clinical features, laboratory tests, modes of transmission, preventive measures; basic medical terminology as it relates to communicable disease symptoms, signs and diagnostic tests.
• Storage, management and retrieval of surveillance data in relational databases.
• Specific steps taken for case, contact, and outbreak investigation.
• Database, statistical analysis, word processing and presentation software.
• Office administrative practices and procedures, including records management and the operation of standard office equipment.

Ability to:

• Collect communicable disease data through clinician, case, or contact interviews.
• Interpret communicable disease laboratory data.
• Develop and maintain communicable disease databases using a relational database structure (e.g., Access, SQL).
• Retrieve, import, export, merge and manage data using software tools (e.g., Access, SQL, SAS-SQL).
• Independently analyze data using statistical analysis software (e.g., SPSS, SAS, STATA, R) at an intermediate or higher user level.
• Develop data collection forms and protocols for surveillance and investigation of cases and contacts.
• Develop questionnaires for outbreak investigation.
• Critically interpret data to examine for errors, trends, and unusual patterns.
• Prepare detailed, accurate, and prompt documentation of all surveillance and outbreak data procedures.
• Collaborate with supervisor and teams to create project work plans and independently adhere to work plan schedule.
• Prepare clear, accurate, well-organized and reports, correspondence, policies and other written materials.
• Interpret and apply related regulations, policies and procedures.
• Represent the Department and the County in meetings with other public health organizations and agencies.
• Organize and prioritize work, and meet critical deadlines.
• Direct the maintenance of accurate records and files.
• Exercise tact and sound independent judgment within established policies and guidelines
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

JGS:jc
Approved by CSC 3/8/95
Revised 10/97
JGS:cla
Formerly: 1276h.wpf
Old doc: 5334h.doc
New doc: 5334.doc
ys/6/01
CSC Date: 11/19/97
CC:pf Revised/Retitle 2/28/05
[old title: infection Control Practitioner]
CSC Date: 6/22/2005
AM:cs Revised 10/14/13
CSC Date: 11/13/13

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Group Auto/Home Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.