Public Health Investigator II - Non Merit

Public Health Investigator

Under general supervision, conducts public health investigations associated with the prevention, detection, control, and eradication of communicable diseases.

Examples of essential duties include:

• Conducts investigations of persons known to have or suspected of having communicable diseases.
• Interviews patients with acute and chronic disease problems to procure public health information.
• Researches, prepares, and presents reports of investigations and special projects relative to the communicable disease control program.
• Conducts epidemiological surveys.
• Interviews and counsels persons associated with cases of suspected human and animal illnesses and communicable diseases.
• Performs communicable disease case management.
• Analyzes disease trends.
• Conducts investigations of day care facilities, nursing homes, and other health care providers in the development and implementation of disease control programs.
• Enters and analyzes data in electronic database and generates letters, case investigation notes, charts, and graphs.
• Disseminates information, supplies, and educational materials concerning public health and acute communicable disease control programs to other agencies, private physicians, and the public.
• Acts as a liaison between the Department and other public and private agencies.
• Draws blood and collects urine and stool specimens for laboratory analysis. Transports animals suspected of carrying disease.
• May lead, instruct, orient, and train other public health investigators.

Examples of other duties include:

• Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities (entry level) include:

• Knowledge of the methods and practices used in the prevention and control of communicable diseases.
• Knowledge of applied epidemiology and the etiology of communicable diseases.
• Knowledge of the methods and practices of public health education and investigation.
• Skill in the investigation, research, documentation, and reporting of communicable disease outbreaks.
• Skill in interviewing and counseling people.
• Skill in the preparation and presentation of reports and educational programs.
• Skill in conducting epidemiological surveys.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, other health agencies, physicians, individuals, and the public.
• Ability to carrying out communicable disease control programs.
• Ability to present information clearly and concisely orally and in writing.
• Ability to use electronic databases and other computer software packages.
• Ability to lead, instruct, and train public health investigators.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities (full performance) include:

• Knowledge of County and Departmental rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and local laws pertaining to communicable diseases.
• Knowledge of treatment programs and facilities provided by the Department and other local health agencies.
• Skill in leading, instructing, and training public health investigators.
• Skill in carrying out communicable disease control programs.
• Skill in the use of electronic databases and other computer software packages.

Required qualifications include:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in one of the social or biological sciences, health, or a related field PLUS two years' professional experience in epidemiology, communicable disease control, health education, or related work.
• Possession of a valid driver's license equivalent to a noncommercial, class C Maryland driver's license is required at the time of appointment.
• Applicants are required to submit proof of licenses, certifications and education beyond high school to meet the required and preferred qualifications of the position. Diplomas or transcripts must show the applicant's major field of study. Copies and unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

Conditions of employment include:

• The work of this classification includes travel throughout Baltimore County. Duties may expose incumbents to various bio-medical hazards.
• Applicants selected for employment with Baltimore County must successfully complete a physical examination, drug screening and employment investigation, including, but not limited to criminal background, education certification and fingerprinting checks.