STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Epidemiologist 1 (Infectious/Chronic Diseases) (35 Hour)

Hybrid

Recruitment #230417-0285HC-001

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Introduction

Do you want to be a disease detective who helps stop the spread of STIs and HIV? Are you interested in joining the outstanding team at the Connecticut Department of Public Health and making a difference in people’s lives? We encourage you to apply today!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health (DPH) is seeking an Epidemiologist 1 (Infectious/Chronic Diseases) (Disease Intervention Specialist) to support the STD Prevention and Control Program, which works to prevent the spread of infectious diseases such as syphilis and HIV, by connecting people to appropriate testing and treatment services, identifying people at risk of infection, and notifying people of exposure to sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Program staff work to ensure that all Connecticut residents have equal chances for health regardless of race, ethnicity, age, gender, socioeconomic position, immigrant status, sexual orientation, language, disability, housing status, or geographic area of residence. The STD Prevention and Control Program is committed to employing a diverse and skilled workforce representative of the communities we serve. The Program is growing and was recently awarded a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) grant to build the public health workforce of the future.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

Unit: Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Prevention and Control Program
Location: 410 Capitol Avenue in Hartford
Schedule: Full time, 35 hours per week, with a typical schedule of Monday through Friday (There is some opportunity for a partial telework schedule (up to 50% of scheduled hours)

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU
MORE ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY: We are seeking a highly motivated individual to apply to become a Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) who will positively impact health outcomes our communities. DIS are public health professionals with skills in interviewing, counseling, educating, and referring clients and their partners to treatment and services. As a member of the DIS team, you will be trained in STDs, HIV, TB, Hepatitis, COVID-19, and other infectious diseases and will work directly with diverse populations across Connecticut to ensure they get the care they need and prevent further spread of preventable diseases. 

If you want to be on the frontline, prevent the spread of STIs and HIV, investigate outbreaks, provide risk reduction education, and collaborate with healthcare providers and community-based organizations, this is the job for you! We are seeking an individual with lived experience to fill this role. 

Are you interested in joining the outstanding team at CT DPH and making a difference in people's lives? 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, apply today to join our dynamic team as an Epidemiologist 1/DIS!
MORE ABOUT US: The Mission of 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.

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
Please visit our 'Applicant Tips on How to Apply' page.

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

Please Note: In order to receive educational credits toward qualification for this job posting, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the recruiter listed on this job posting.

To Apply:
  • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
  • You must specify your qualifications on your application. You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system.
  • In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.
  • 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 will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.
Important Next Step Information for After You Apply:
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Note: 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.
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
  • Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
  • Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State Employees which is available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
Connect With Us:
  • Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process.
  • Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment please contact Pamela Rochette via email at Pamela.Rochette@ct.gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

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

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Assists program staff in epidemiologic investigations of acute and chronic diseases; 
  • Assists in interviewing of individuals relative to disease outbreaks; 
  • Under supervision 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, SKILL AND ABILITY

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

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

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

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • A Doctorate in a related discipline such as medicine, public health or a natural or behavioral science may be substituted for the General Experience.
  • Successful completion of a Connecticut Careers Trainee program approved by the Department of Administrative Services may be substituted for the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • 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.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Incumbents in this class must be willing to be immunized for communicable diseases as necessary and appropriate.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

WORKING CONDITIONS

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

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.




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