Enteric Disease Specialist II (Public Health Program Specialist 2)

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Public Health is seeking a highly motivated individual to perform the duties of the Enteric Disease Specialist II. This position will serve as a team leader for the Illinois interview team and will assign interviews, provide guidance to staff on the interview process, and conduct patient interviews. This position will be responsible for conducting disease surveillance for enteric diseases, reviewing case reports to ensure completeness and accuracy, and collaborating with local and state health partners. The ideal candidate for this position will have the ability to work in a fast-paced environment, be highly organized, efficiently manage multiple projects at a time, and be able to communicate effectively.

Benefits Statement

As a State of Illinois Employee, you will receive a robust benefit package that includes the following:

• Flexible and hybrid work schedules are available in many program areas (when available and dependent upon position) 
• Competitive Group Insurance benefits including health, life, dental and vision plans.
• Pension plan through the State Employees Retirement System
• Deferred Compensation Program – voluntary supplemental retirement plan
• Optional pre-tax programs -Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP) & Dependent Care Assistant Plan (DCAP)
• 10-25 days of paid vacation time annually (10 days for first year of state employment)
• 12 paid sick days annually which carryover year to year
• 3 paid personal business days per calendar year (pro-rated dependent on start date)
• 13-14 paid holidays per year
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• Employee Assistance Program and/or mental health resources

These are just a few of the many perks available to all State employees. For more information about our benefits please follow this link: https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/benefits/Pages/default.aspx.

Essential Functions

• Manages enteric disease surveillance data in the Illinois Disease Surveillance System (IDSS).
• As a team leader, assigns and conducts interviews with cases of enteric diseases.
• Manages various databases for foodborne and waterborne outbreak or cluster investigations.
• Develops reports required for quality assurance of enteric disease data and conducts quality review of data.
• Reviews information posted on an internal web portal system to identify information that is out-of-date and posts updated information as deemed necessary and when requested by program staff.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of four years of college with courses in health education, physical and biological sciences.
• Requires two (2) years of professional experience in a health education or investigation program in the public or private sector.

Preferred Qualifications

• Possession of a Bachelor's degree in Public Health, registered nursing, microbiology, sociology, anthropology, veterinary medicine, biology, psychology, chemistry, epidemiology or a related field.
• Working knowledge of prevention and control of infectious diseases.
• Two (2) years experience investigating individual cases of communicable disease.
• Two (2) years experience conducting interviews or providing prevention education.
• Two (2) years experience using computer applications, including Microsoft Office Suite products.
• One (1) year experience with the Illinois Electronic Disease Surveillance System.

About the Agency

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is tasked with the oversight of communities within Illinois to achieve and maintain optimal health and safety. With an annual budget of over $2 billion in state and federal funds, 6 regional offices, 3 laboratories and over 1,200 employees, IDPH is equipped to fulfill its mission of protecting the health and wellness of the people of Illinois through the prevention, health promotion, regulation and control of disease and injury.