We are looking for individuals with special skills and lived experiences that can be hard to find, and things that don’t automatically come from special training or degrees.

Are you:

• Observant – Are you good at reading people and situations? Are you sensitive to body language, social cues, and other patterns of behavior?  Do you listen closely to what people say – and don’t say – to “read between the lines” and interpret the thoughts and feelings that people hold back?
• Helpful - Is it easy for you to imagine how other people feel and understand their point of view?  Do you prefer to focus on solutions to problems instead of the hurdles?  Do you have a passion for helping make people’s lives easier or better?
• Outgoing - Are you a “people person” by nature? Do you like getting to know new people who are different from you?  Are you naturally talkative and friendly?  Is it easy for you to negotiate, find compromise and gain the cooperation of others?
• A Problem Solver- Are you naturally curious and enjoy learning new things?  Do you like puzzles or finding ways to solve a problem?  Are you always thinking about how something could be improved or done better?  Does it really bother you when something doesn’t make sense?  Do you always need to know how things work and the “why” behind a situation?  
  
• Capable – Are you flexible and organized under stress? Are you a good multi-tasker who deals well with changes? Are you someone who stays prepared?  When you fail or experience a setback, are you able to keep going and try something different? Do you keep a level head when things get out of control? Do people often ask you for your advice?   

If so, then we have an excellent opportunity for you to join our growing team and really make a difference in people’s lives.  

The State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health (DPH), Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Prevention and Control Program is seeking a dynamic, motivated, and culturally sensitive individual to join this exciting program as a Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) (Epidemiologist 1). This fast-paced public health program is growing and was recently awarded a grant through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to build the public health workforce. The STD Prevention and Control Program is committed to employing a diverse and skilled workforce representative of the communities we serve. If you want to join this expanding field of Public Health and make a difference in the health and well-being of Connecticut residents, this job is for you.  

Disease Intervention Specialists (DIS) (Epidemiologist 1) - The role of the DIS is to prevent the spread of communicable diseases, including Sexually Transmitted Infections such as syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, viral Hepatitis and HIV.   DIS confidentially contact and connect people to testing and treatment services, identify people at risk of infection, and notify people exposed to an infection. DIS are the backbone of public health programs across the country, working in the community with diverse racial, ethnic, cultural, and linguistic populations, and persons with limited access to health care, diverse socioeconomic status, clients with substance or alcohol use disorder, or housing instability.   

This position will work within the STD Prevention and Control Program and regularly interact with colleagues in the Tuberculosis (TB), HIV and Viral Hepatitis programs. This is a full-time, first shift, thirty-five (35) hour per week position with a typical work schedule of Monday through Friday. There is opportunity for a partial telework schedule to support a healthy work-life balance.  

As a member of the DIS team, you will be trained in STDs, HIV, TB, Hepatitis, COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. You will work directly with clients to ensure they get the care they need, prevent further spread of diseases, and maintain the confidentiality of clients and their partners.  

The Mission of the Department of Public Health (DPH) is to protect and improve the health and safety of the people of Connecticut by assuring the conditions in which people can be healthy, preventing disease, injury, and disability, and promoting the equal enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health, which is a human right and a priority of the state.

DPH accomplishes this through the implementation of its Strategic Plan which outlines the actions that DPH is taking to accomplish its Mission.

We offer a competitive benefits package, excellent health care, generous leave policies, retirement plan, and more! We also encourage a healthy work-life balance to all employees!

The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified. This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.  

Due to the volume of applications anticipated, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be provided through your JobAps portal account. 

Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience most closely meet the preferred requirements of the position. At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include:  a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position.

In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.  

Please Note: You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system.

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam. 

Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process. 

The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class. 

All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.

This position may be subject to Federal requirements for COVID 19 Vaccination Immunization. 

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Chelsea Moore at Chelsea.Moore@ct.gov

In the Department of Public Health this class is accountable for assisting is the compilation and interpretation of epidemiologic/scientific data and statistics including field investigations and literature review.

Assists program staff in epidemiologic investigations of acute and chronic diseases; assists in interviewing of individuals relative to disease outbreaks; under supervison of an Epidemiologist of higher grade, maintains a surveillance system capable of detecting risk factors and changes in disease patterns; makes appropriate contacts with public health and other agencies, health professionals, hospitals, etc. to facilitate disease follow up and surveillance; answers general informational questions from the public and medical community; regularly reviews scientific literature to maintain a current knowledge of pertinent disease processes; may administer biologics or collect specimens such as blood and urine samples, throat and rectal swabs under supervision of a physician; may compile statistics and do less complex calculations and interpretations; performs related duties as required.

Knowledge of infectious/chronic disease epidemiology; knowledge of relevant disease processes which affect humans and animals; knowledge of epidemiological methods; knowledge of basic biological processes; interpersonal skills; oral and written communications skills; ability to research scientific literature and develop and gather data.

Five (5) years' experience in a responsible technical or professional capacity in epidemiological investigations.

1. College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.

2. A Master's degree in a related discipline including community medicine, public health or a related health science may be substituted for the General Experience.

3. A Doctorate in a related discipline such as medicine, public health or a natural or behavioral science may be substituted for the General Experience.

• Experience establishing collaborative relationships with medical professionals and social services providers to facilitate referrals to heath care, medical case management, and community-based resources
• Experience working with data, including maintaining confidentiality and security of personal health information, data collection, data entry, and performing descriptive analysis
• Experience giving oral presentations to healthcare providers, stakeholders and/or community members
• Experience performing community outreach in underserved communities and addressing each client's unique needs in a culturally competent manner
• Experience contacting public health agencies, hospitals, medical providers, community-based organizations and/or the public to facilitate disease follow up and surveillance and/or answer general questions
• Bilingual in Spanish, Portuguese, including Brazilian, Haitian Creole, or another language other than English

1. Incumbents in this class must be willing to be immunized for communicable diseases as necessary and appropriate.

2. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to communicable diseases and hazardous substances.