Human Resource Services
Alameda Skyline

Public Health Investigator

Recruitment #14-5770-01

Introduction

THIS IS A NEW ASSEMBLED EXAMINATION.  The eligible list resulting from this examination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year, but can be extended.

Applications must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing.  Postmarks are not accepted.  Applications will only be accepted on-line.

Supplemental Questionnaire:  A properly completed Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted with each application.  Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing. Applications will only be accepted on-line. Postmarks are not accepted.  Failure to submit the Application or Supplemental Questionnaire will result in disqualification.

DESCRIPTION

THE AGENCY

PROGRAM/UNIT
Current vacancies for this position are in two units in the HIV STD Section of the Division of Communicable Disease Control & Prevention, described below:
The HIV Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit
This unit is responsible for activities related to HIV surveillance and reporting as well as epidemiologic data analysis-core functions that inform HIV prevention and care in Alameda County. The unit consists of five surveillance field staff (Public Health Investigators), a Specialist Clerk and an Epidemiologist, who are supervised by a senior HIV epidemiologist, the Unit Director.
The STD Control and Prevention Unit
The purpose of this unit is to decrease the prevalence and prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the County through screening, testing and treatment services; patient/partner counseling and education; local community capacity building and partnerships; culturally competent outreach; and intra/interagency coordination.

THE POSITION

Under direction, to conduct communicable disease case finding investigations to arrange for the examination, treatment and surveillance/reporting of persons having had communicable disease contacts; to counsel communicable disease patients on their responsibilities to the public, to provide support in the delivery of communicable disease related services in a clinical setting and to encourage compliance with the provisions of Public Health laws; and to do related work as required.

Under direction, the Public Health Investigator (PHI) will conduct investigations into HIV or STD cases, and, if indicated, arrange for clinical examination, treatment/referral, surveillance reporting, and partner services. Reportable STDs include Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. To support this work, the PHI will: use internal and external data systems to inform and document investigations; work in a variety of settings, including the field; comply with public health best practices, policies, laws and regulations; and do related work as required. HIV and STD case investigations can include but are not limited to review of confidential medical records, provider interviews, database queries, and, in many cases, interviews of persons diagnosed with HIV or STDs and their sexual or injection partners. The PHI is required to maintain the highest level of privacy and confidentiality of all cases. The PHI may perform the following functions: 1) coordinate case investigations, surveillance and reporting activities with medical and other care providers as well as clinical laboratories, staff at other health departments, and the state health department; 2) contact providers regarding the treatment and post-treatment follow-up of HIV and STD cases; 3) provide limited HIV or STD clinical services to cases and partners, including referrals and test results disclosure, in a variety of settings; 4) make  educational and informational presentations on HIV and/or STD to various public and private organizations, such as public schools, civic groups, service providers, and health professional groups; and 5)assist in conducting community surveys and activities that ensure quality of program data.

 

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications stated below, the ideal candidate will have demonstrated a track record of success in the following areas:

• Prior experience in communicable disease investigation in a local or state public health agency
• Knowledge of symptoms; laboratory tests; risk and transmission; and prevention and treatment of HIV or STDs

• Ability to use investigative thinking/skills, including: gathering information to identify possible examples of or opportunities for disease acquisition and transmission.
• Ability to interpret and accurately document clinical information

• Experience using computerized data systems or electronic tools in conducting surveillance

• Excellent written and oral communication skills; able to convey medical and procedural content to clients and/or healthcare professionals.
• Organized, detail oriented, and able to multitask both in the office and in field situations
• Skilled in interviewing clients,  including obtaining personal, detailed  health and sexual information
• Ability to maintain confidentiality in conducting investigations and in the provision of client services

• Ability to establish relationships and work with medical providers

• Ability to discuss sensitive and historically stigmatized subject matter, including details of sexual risk behavior, with clients, colleagues and/or other individuals
• Ability to understand and apply public health procedures and regulations
• Ability to work  well under  pressure during public health emergencies or crises
• Ability to work in a team-oriented, collaborative work environment

 

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience:

The equivalent of one year of experience in the public health investigation field or in a comparable capacity providing investigative or social services to the public.

Education:

The equivalent of a high school diploma or GED.

AND
License:

Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's license.

Special Requirement: Work hours may include evenings and weekends.

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

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

The most suitably qualified candidates will possess the following competencies: 

Knowledge of:

• Basic computer functions.
• Communicable/sexually transmitted diseases.
• Functions of a local public health agency as related to the discovery and control of communicable disease.
• Principle and practices of disease investigations.

Ability to:

• Work Independently
• Conduct effective fact-gathering interviews of a highly personal nature.
• Exercise initiative and tact in tracing contacts and bringing them to seek treatment.
• Work effectively with medical providers, and exercise judgment in seeking supervisor direction.
• Organize/prioritize work.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Work with diverse population group.
• Exercise independent judgment.
• Establish and maintain working relationships.
• Work effectively as a member of a team.

EXAMINATION COMPONENTS

THE EXAMINATION WILL CONSIST OF the following steps: 1) A review of candidates' applications to verify possession of minimum requirements. Those candidates who possess the minimum requirements for the class will move on to the next step in the examination process. 2) A review of candidates’ Supplemental Questionnaires to select the best qualified applicants to continue in the process. 3) An oral interview which will be weighted as 100% of the candidate's final examination score. The oral interview may contain situational exercises.  CANDIDATES MUST ATTAIN A QUALIFYING RATING ON EACH PORTION OF THIS EXAMINATION.  We reserve the right to make changes to the announced examination components.

Alameda County utilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit.  Such a system is competitive and based on broad recruitment efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to test in an examination process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position.  Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the needs of a current vacant position, in which case, the eligible list may be exclusively used for that current vacant position.  Other recruitments many be more broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate jobs with comparable scopes of work.
To learn more about our recruitment and selection process, please visit the “What You Need to Know” section of our website, www.acgov.org/hrs.

Selection Plan

Applicants will be informed via email with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance.  The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the Agency:

 

TENTATIVE SELECTION PLAN:

Deadline for Filing:

Review of Minimum Qualifications:

Review for Best Qualified:

Oral Interviews:

 

 

5:00 pm, Friday, November 21, 2014

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Tuesday, December 02, 2014

Monday and Tuesday, December 15-16, 2014

 

Alameda County and the Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination and/or selection process to accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Alameda County’s Reasonable Accommodation Policy and applicable statutes.  To request an accommodation due to a disability/medical condition during this or other phases of the examination/selection process, please contact the assigned Human Resources Representative listed on the job announcement before the last date of filing.   Alameda County requires applicants to provide supporting documentation to substantiate a request for reasonable accommodation. In order to qualify for a reasonable accommodation, applicants must have a disability/medical condition pursuant to the ADA, FEHA and applicable statutes.
For more information regarding our Reasonable Accommodation procedures, please visit our website, www.acgov.org/hrs

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 & Welfare Benefits

  • Medical – HMO & PPO Insurance
  • Dental – PPO & DHMO Insurance  
  • Vision
  • Basic Life Insurance 
  • Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage) 
  • County Allowance
  • Health Flexible Spending Account
  • Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
  • Accident, Critical Illness & Hospital Indemnity
  • Long Term Care Insurance
  • Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

  • Short-term Disability Insurance
  • Long-Term Disability Insurance
  • Retirement Plan – (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
  • Deferred Compensation Plan

For your Work/Life Balance

  • 11 paid holidays
  • Vacation and sick leave accrual
  • Vacation purchase program
  • Management Paid Leave**
  • Group Auto/Home
  • 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
  • 1st 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.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.

Conclusion

All notices related to County recruitments for which you have applied will be sent/delivered via email. Please add @acgov.org and alamedacountyHR@acgov.org as accepted addresses to any email blocking or spam filtering program you may use. If you do not do this, your email blocking or spam filtering program may block receipt of the notices regarding your application for recruitments. You are also strongly advised to regularly log into your County of Alameda online application account to check for notices that may have been sent to you. All email notices that will be sent to you will also be kept in your personal online application account. You will be able to view all of your notices in your online application account by clicking on the "My applications" button on the Current Job Openings page.
Please take the steps recommended above to insure you do not miss any notices about a recruitment for which you have applied. The County of Alameda is not responsible for notices that are not read, received or accessed by any applicant for a County recruitment.
NOTE: All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email box alamedacountyHR@acgov.org are routed to an unmonitored mailbox. All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email box are routed to an unmonitored mailbox. If you have questions please go to our website at www.acgov.org/hrs. You may also contact the Human Resources Analyst listed on the job announcement for the recruitment for which you have applied.

 

Debra Robinison Harris,  Human Resources Analyst III
Human Resource Services, County of Alameda
510-272-6437

 

Alameda County is an Equal Opportunity Employer