Public Health Investigator

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. Postmarks are not accepted.  Failure to submit the Supplemental Questionnaire will result in disqualification.

Qualified Bilingual Persons are Encouraged to Apply:   

Bilingual persons who speak English and are also fluent in Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Laotian, Korean, Mien, Tagalog, Amharic, Farsi, Dari, Tigrigna, Russian, Romanian, or Sign Language are especially encouraged to apply.  There is an additional bi-weekly compensation for persons in positions designated bilingual. Qualified candidates may be further tested to demonstrate language proficiency.  

THE HEALTH CARE SERVICES AGENCY

Alameda County's Health Services Program is administered by the Health Care Services Agency and includes the following program areas: Behavioral Health Care, Public Health, Environmental Health, and Agency Administration/Indigent Health. The ultimate mission of the Health Care Services Agency is to provide fully integrated health care services through a comprehensive network of public and private partnerships that ensure optimal health and well-being and respect the diversity of all residents. Health Care Services Agency currently has multiple career opportunities for experienced licensed professionals to become part of a service delivery team dedicated to the optimal health and well being of Alameda County residents. 

PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT (PHD)

Alameda County Public Health Department has worked for over 80 years to improve the health and safety of its residents and the neighborhoods they live in. Traditional public health concerns such as disease outbreaks, environmental hazards and access to health care have been joined by contemporary concerns: bioterrorism, crime, violence, and substance abuse. Each of these poses a threat to public health and wellness. And each calls for short and long-term solutions that lie well outside traditional public health boundaries.  For more information about our Alameda County Public Health Department, please visit the Alameda County Public Health Department, www.acphd.org. 

 

VACANCIES

Upcoming vacancies in this classification may be filled, within in one year from the date of promulgation, using the eligible list resulting from this recruitment.  Vacant positions may be found in any of the following Sections of the Division of Communicable Disease Control & Prevention:

ACUTE COMMUNICABLE DISEASE SECTION

This section is responsible for the surveillance, investigation, and control of cases, contacts, and outbreaks of over 75 reportable communicable diseases: all reportable communicable diseases except for HIV, sexually transmitted infections and tuberculosis. Commonly investigated diseases include: Pertussis, Salmonellosis, Shigellosis, E.Coli O157, Dengue, Malaria, Legionellosis, Carbapenem Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), Hepatitis A, Zika Virus, Viral Gastroenteritis Outbreaks.

HIV STD SECTION

- 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  surveillance field staff (Public Health Investigators), a Specialist Clerk I and Epidemiologist,  who are supervised by a senior HIV epidemiologist, the Unit Director.

- 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. The Unit staff perform active and passive surveillance, field investigations, case management, Field Delivered Treatment (FDT), patient/partner counseling and education, local community capacity building activities, culturally competent outreach, and intra/interagency coordination.

IMMUNIZATION SECTION

- Perinatal Hepatitis B Unit: This unit is responsible for working with hepatitis B positive mothers and medical providers to protect newborns from hepatitis B through screening, education, and prevention.

 

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.

Public Health Investigators aid in the discovery of existing or suspected cases of communicable disease and assist in the enforcement of medically prescribed treatment. Positions in this class are distinguished from the higher class of Chief Public Health Investigator by the fact that the Senior Public Health Investigator is a working supervisor responsible for scheduling, assigning and evaluating the work of the investigators. Positions in this class typically require some evening field work.

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 test results, 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 and the ability 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 crisis;
• Ability to work in a team-oriented, collaborative work environment; and
• Ability to discuss sensitive subject matter with cultural competency and empathy.

- 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.

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.

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
• 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.

** 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.

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.  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.

 

Monique Hill, Human Resources Analyst III

Human Resource Services, County of Alameda

(510) 208-4841; E-Mail Monique.hill@acgov.org

www.acgov.org/hrs

 

 

 

Alameda County is an Equal Opportunity Employer