Disease Research and Intervention Specialist



Disease Research and Intervention Specialist

Salary

$63,793.60 - $80,870.40 Annually

Location

Seattle, WA

Job Type

Special Duty Assignment or Term Limited Temp (TLT)

Job Number

2021DB14140

Department

DPH - Public Health

Division

Prevention

Opening Date

09/10/2021

Closing Date

11/4/2021 12:00 AM Pacific

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

D1 : WSCCCE L21HD-DPH

Summary

Do the following interest you?
 
 Case and outbreak investigations
 Interviewing
 Reviewing health records
 Entering data and ensuring data integrity
 
  Public Health – Seattle & King County is seeking to fill several Disease Research and Intervention Specialist (DRIS) positions to support communicable disease investigations for a variety of communicable diseases including COVID-19 and other vaccine-preventable diseases, enteric infections, viral hepatitis and zoonotic infections. The positions are part of the Communicable Disease Epidemiology and Immunization Section (CD-IMMS) . Major areas of responsibility include case and outbreak investigation, conducting interviews, data entry, and summarizing investigations. The DRIS work under the direction of a supervisor.
 
DRIS should be committed to working with diverse populations throughout King County to provide excellent service to people from a broad range of cultures, in accordance with the King County Equity and Social Justice Ordinance and the King County Strategic Plan. The position supports and advances Public Health values for fair and culturally competent service delivery, innovative, effective and efficient application of resources, building a culture of performance and expanding opportunities to seek input, listen and respond to community members.
 
These positions are open continuously until filled and additional positions may be filled from this candidate pool as they come available. After consulting with the most competitive candidates and with program stakeholders, the program will assign a body of work from the list above to each DRIS hired

COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE: 
As the only jurisdiction in the world named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.
 
We have a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from vulnerable communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.
 
 To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity  


Job Duties

  • Conduct notifiable disease surveillance and investigations, including implementation of disease control measures. 
  • Assist with monitoring the quality of the notifiable disease surveillance data and ensuring completeness and quality of data.
  • Assist with documentation and communication on case and outbreak investigations in oral and written formats for internal and external partners, including summaries of case and outbreak investigations, drafting postings for the website, and other materials as needed. 
  • Conduct work, interviews, and investigations in a culturally competent manner. Seek out interpreter services and collaborate with community partners as needed.
  • Provide epidemiologic data, information, and technical assistance about communicable disease surveillance and prevention, and control measures to the public, health care providers, and to other Section and Departmental programs.
  • Participate in Section's response during outbreaks and emergencies; assist with after-hours disease investigation and response activities as assigned and approved by the supervisor.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

  • Demonstrated knowledge of disease surveillance and investigation methods; infectious disease management and control; health care systems structure and function; communication strategies; and adult learning and health care education.
  • Direct and recent experience with interviewing by phone or in person.
  • Demonstrated excellent communication skills that are culturally appropriate, respectful and non-judgmental.
  • Demonstrated proficiency in data entry and data management, and ability to pivot between multiple databases.
  • Detail oriented. 
  • Understanding of basic laboratory and medical terminology.
  • Experience talking on the phone with healthcare providers and laboratories.
  • Experience with data entry.
  • Demonstrated ability to carry out assignments and responsibilities reliably in a thorough, accurate, and timely manner.
  • Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality of protected health information at all times.
  • Demonstrated ability to clearly and effectively communicate orally and in writing with supervisor, co-workers, healthcare providers, and the general public.
  • Fluency in Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word and Excel).
  • Demonstrated ability to work well on a team. 
  • Ability to work independently with minimal direction; excellent problem-solving skills. 
  • Ability to work well under pressure with multiple competing priorities and deadlines.
  • Washington State Driver’s License or the ability to provide transportation to work locations with limited or no public transportation services is required.
  • Documentation of current BLS CPR certification required .
Desired Qualifications
 
 The most competitive candidates will have:
  • Experience working in a local or state public health setting
  • Experience supporting communicable disease investigations
Bilingual with the ability to read, write and speak another language besides English (preferably Spanish, Vietnamese, Somali, Russian, Chinese, Korean, Amharic, Arabic, or Ukrainian).

Supplemental Information

Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers. 

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play. 

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

(New) Covid-19 Vaccination Requirement 
As of October 18, 2021, most* King County employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.  If hired, you will be required to submit proof of vaccination by October 18th.   People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine.  Employees may make requests for a reasonable accommodation based on a medical disability or for sincerely held religious beliefs.  Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation.
This directive applies to employees in the Executive branch*, the Assessor’s Office, Elections, the King County Sheriff’s Office, and the Executive Office.  

To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.


Who May Apply
This position is open to all qualified candidates. We are currently recruiting for up to 30 vacancies. Position is expected to last until 6/30/2022 with the possibility of extension. 
 
Application Process: 
The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:

  • An electronic application through www.kingcounty.gov/jobs or www.governmentjobs.com (use the "Apply" link) including work history and position duties.
  • Responses to supplemental questions. Complete and thorough
  • This position is posted continuous until filled with the first review of application on 9/24 and additional rounds of review as needed
Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.
  • The selection process may include but is not limited to: evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring.
  • Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.
  • Staff may be required to play an active role in the event of a public health emergency, which may include changes in responsibilities, work location, and working hours.
Necessary Special Requirements
  • The selected candidate will be required to submit to a thorough background investigation.
  • The selected candidate will be required to have a CPR/BLS for healthcare providers certification prior to hire.
  • Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
  • Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing required training on time.
 
Work Schedule
The individual selected for this position will have a work schedule typically between the hours 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. This position FLSA  Non-Exempt and is eligible for overtime.
 
Work Location: 

The home base for this position is Chinook Building located in Downtown Seattle, Chinook Building, 401 5th Ave., Suite 1300, Seattle. 


Telecommuting
Some of the work associated with this position will be performed predominantly through teleworking with reporting to office location and to meetings as needed. Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
 
Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection (access may be supplemented in some situations) where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. Please note that when an employee conducts work that is likely to bring them in contact with another individual, safety precautions are required, including the wearing of masks in some situations. King County is doing its part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and remains committed to reducing our carbon footprint.
   
King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment.  

Union Affiliation:
This position is represented by WSCCCE L21

Contact:
If you have questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact Debbie Baker, HR Analyst at debbaker@kingcounty.gov or 206-263-4053.
  

King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being.  Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
  • Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
  • Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
  • Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
  • 12 paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
  • Generous vacation and paid sick leave
  • Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
  • Flexible Spending Account
  • Wellness programs
  • Onsite gyms and activity centers
  • Employee giving program
  • Employee assistance programs
  • Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
  • Training and career development programs
For additional information about employee benefits please visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page.

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy.  If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.  Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
 
NOTE:  Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
 
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.

01
Do you have experience with data collection?
  • Yes
  • No
02
If you answered yes to question #1, please describe your experience. Be specific and include in your response the employer/organization and position(s) where you gained this experience, as well as number of years of experience. If you do not have this experience, then type N/A.
03
Do you have basic experience or knowledge of communicable disease investigations?
  • Yes
  • No
04
If you answered yes to question #3, please describe your experience and knowledge, and how you acquired it, including classes and/or practical experience. If you answered no, put N/A.
05
Do you have experience with data entry?
  • Yes
  • No
06
If you answered yes to question #5, please describe your experience. Include the employer or organization, the position you held, and your years of experience doing this work. Be specific. If you answered no, put N/A.
07
Do you have experience with providing technical information, health education, and guidance to a wide variety of audiences, including healthcare providers, colleagues, clients, and the general public?
  • Yes
  • No
08
If you answered yes to question #7, please describe your experience with providing technical information, health education, and guidance to a wide variety of audiences, including healthcare providers, colleagues, clients, and the general public. Include the employer or organization, the position you held, and your years of experience doing this work. Be specific. If you answered no, put N/A.
09
Do you have demonstrated experience interviewing and eliciting sensitive information?
  • Yes
  • No
10
If you answered yes to the previous question please describe in detail your experience, if you answered no please put N/A.
11
Are you applying to this position as an eligible Current or Previous King County Employee Priority Placement Program Participant AND Is this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff AND Do you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?
  • Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my role at King County AND I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. AND The position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
  • No.
12
If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided: 1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice 2. The department you worked in 3. The effective date of your layoff

Required Question

Agency
King County
Address
King Street Center
201 South Jackson Street
Seattle, Washington, 98104
Phone
206-477-3404