Public Health Program Specialist III (Austin Public Health Employees Only)

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university plus two (2) years of experience in public health outreach/investigation or related field, one (1) year of which must have been working directly as an HIV / STD Disease Intervention Specialist.
• Related experience may substitute for required education with a maximum substitution of four (4) years.

Licenses or Certifications:

• Valid Texas Class C Driver’s License at time of hire and maintain during employment, as required by position.

Notes to Applicants
Position Overview:
Conduct public health investigations and interview HIV / STD patients in accordance with program and DSHS guidelines. Perform team lead duties when short staffed; giving DIS directives for action needed on current field records. Assess, plan, implement, monitor, and evaluate actions to meet client’s health needs. Counsel individuals on communicable disease prevention and risk reduction. Educate providers about DSHS reporting requirements and adequate treatment. Quantitative and qualitative data analysis. Complex data entry into multiple databases. Training new staff in clinic, office, and field operations. Independently conduct field activity to locate contacts and collect specimens for testing. Complete monthly security training and quarterly PHEP and FEMA trainings. Maintain certification in phlebotomy, HIPAA compliance, CPR and first aid, and defensive driving.

If you are selected to Interview:

• This position will have in-person interview(s).
• This position will require a pre-employment Criminal Background Investigation ( CBI ).
• If you are identified as a top candidate, verification of your education, including High School graduation or GED , undergraduate, and graduate degrees, will be required.

Driving Requirement:

• This position requires a valid Class “C” driver’s license or the ability to acquire one by your hire date.
• External New Hires must meet the City of Austin’s Driver Record Evaluation ( DRE ) requisite . To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months.

APH Information:

• This position supports Austin Public Health’s Mission and Core Purpose identified in the Austin Public Health Strategic Plan .
• Departmental Competencies related to the position can be found on Austin Public Health’s website .

Immunization Requirement:

• Due to high-risk areas, Austin Public Health employees must comply with the Department’s immunization policy.

Regarding your Application:

• A detailed, complete City of Austin employment application is required to evaluate your qualifications. Please be thorough in completing the employment application and list all experience that is relevant to this position. The application and resume must include dates (month and year) for each job history entry. In addition, the resume information must match the information on the application. A resume will not substitute for an official COA application.
• Please describe your specific experience as it relates to the minimum and preferred qualifications when responding to the supplemental questions on the application.
• Work experience must include month, year, and a verifiable Supervisor or Human Resources phone number. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Each individual who submits an Application as provided in the Municipal Civil Service Rules and meets the Minimum Qualifications for a Competitive Position shall be considered a Candidate for that Position. Employees in Good Standing who are candidates within the Department or division that the Position resides in and who meet the Minimum and Preferred Qualifications (if any) of the Position will be included in the initial interview.
• The responses to the supplemental questions should reference the employment history listed in the employment history section. Once the requisition has closed, the application cannot be changed to update work history, supplemental questions, or any other information.

Salary and Benefits:

• Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. This position comes with a comprehensive benefits package consisting of medical and dental coverage, paid sick, vacation, and personal time, and a retirement plan.

Electronic Notification to Applications:

• Applicants will be notified via e-mail to communicate important information related to the status of their application as part of an ongoing effort to increase operational efficiency, promote a green environment, and minimize delays and costs.
• Please ensure that your email address and contact information are current, secure, and readily accessible. We will not be responsible in any way if you do not receive our e-mails or fail to check your inbox promptly.
• Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. Please note that the Department may close the job posting at any time after seven (7) days.
• When public health responds to an emergency, you may be assigned activities outside your job description. This may involve responding anytime, including nights and weekends, with possible deployment to locations other than the Austin Public Health.
• This position is eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness ( PSF ) Program. This federal program is intended to encourage individuals to work in public service by forgiving the balance of their federal student loans.

Pay Range
Commensurate
Hours
Monday-Friday
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Occasionally after hours for offsite testing events.
Job Close Date 08/08/2024 Type of Posting Division Only Department Austin Public Health Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Grant Funded Category Professional Location RBJ Health Clinic-15 Waller St, Austin Texas 78702 Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in HIV / STD investigation as a DIS Intervention Specialist ( DIS ).
• Bilingual in English and Spanish
• Previous experience in working with diverse populations, such as LGBTQI , MSM , unhoused, etc.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

Investigate, locate, interview, and link out of care HIV positive individuals to appropriate medical care and other services. Coordinate aspects of investigations with other agencies/personnel. Train and monitor less experienced personnel in the conducting of an investigation. Counsel individuals on prevention of sexually transmitted diseases e.g. venereal diseases, AIDS , etc. Follow-up with clients to insure they are receiving proper care. Refer citizens to appropriate agency or program. Answer citizen questions & provide assistance. Conduct investigations on the origin, nature, etc. of epidemiological diseases. Perform phlebotomy and specimen collection Counsel physicians, laboratories, clinics, etc. about disease reporting requirements. Research/compile data/information and submit written reports. Assist in statistical and data analysis to identify health inequities and disparities. Provide quality assurance (QA) duties as assigned by supervisor, and as needed. Some positions may require employee to meet patients at home, work or elsewhere to perform testing or conducting interviews, as needed

Responsibilities- Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:

• Provides leadership, work assignments, evaluation, training, and guidance to others. May substitute in supervisor’s absence.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of general public health programs, specifically those related to communicable disease.
• Knowledge of the principles of communicable disease spread and prevention.
• Knowledge of laws and regulations concerning communicable disease control.
• Skill in prioritizing tasks.
• Skill in oral and written communications, especially interviewing techniques.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with City employees and the public.
• Skill in recording data from interviews and investigations accurately.

Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation. EEO/ADA
City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* The minimum qualifications for this position are: Graduation from a accredited 4 year college or university, plus 2 years of experience in a field related to investigating the sources of communicable diseases, 1 year of which must have been working directly as an HIV/STD Disease Intervention Specialist. Related experience may substitute for required education with a maximum substitution of 4 years. Do you meet these minimum qualifications?

• Yes
• No

* This position requires that you successfully pass a review of your criminal background check. If identified as the top candidate, do you agree to a criminal background investigation?

• Yes
• No

* Are you currently an Austin Public Health employee?

• Yes
• No

* Due to working in high risk areas, applicants applying for this position must comply with the departments immunization policy as a condition of employment. Can you meet this requirement?

• Yes, I will comply to the vaccinations required by the APH department
• No, I cannot meet this requirement

* This position requires a Valid Texas Class C Driver's License. Do you have a Valid Texas Class C Driver's License or if selected for this position, do you have the ability to acquire a Valid Texas Class C Driver's License by your hire date?

• Yes
• No

* The City of Austin Driver Eligibility Standards require that External New Hires meet the City’s Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months. Do you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

* Are you willing to be certified in phlebotomy and to draw blood for HIV/STI testing? If already certified, please indicate how long you've been certified.
(Open Ended Question)
* This position will require traveling to various work sites to perform duties. Are you able to travel to worksites with or without accomodations?

• Yes
• No

* Describe your experience working in the field of HIV/STIs.
(Open Ended Question)
* In the prior twelve months have you been employed by, owned any interest in, or been an officer or board member, for any business entity, including a non-profit organization, that is transacting any business with the City of Austin, including a recipient of any contracts, grants, or any funds of any kind from the City of Austin?

• Yes
• No

* If you answered yes to the previous question, please explain below.
(Open Ended Question)


Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Cover Letter Resume Optional Documents

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