PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR, Opt 6F - Foodborne,Vectorborne and Waterborne Epidemiologist

Agency Marketing Statement

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 $600 million in state and federal funds, 7 regional offices, 3 laboratories and over 1,100 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.

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Public Health is seeking a highly motivated individual to serve as the Foodborne and Waterborne Disease Coordinator. This position is responsible for reviewing information on new outbreaks, assuring that information is given to local health departments to appropriately guide their investigations, providing technical assistance through regional staff to local health department personnel on investigation of outbreaks and applies epidemiologic principles to the design, implementation and evaluation of outbreak investigations. In addition, this position maintains a computer database on records of outbreaks, assuring that documentation is submitted that thoroughly describes methods and activities involved in outbreak investigation, reviewing completed outbreak files, determining whether a vehicle can be established as the source, and determine whether an etiologic agent can be established for the outbreak.

Job Responsibilities

1.  Reviews information on new outbreaks, assures that information is given to regional staff and local health departments to appropriately guide their investigations.

• Provides technical assistance through regional staff to local health department personnel on investigation of outbreaks and applies epidemiological principles to the design, implementation, and evaluation of outbreak investigations.

2.  Maintains a computer database on records of outbreaks, assures that documentation is submitted that thoroughly describes methods and activities involved in outbreak investigation.

• Reviews completed outbreak files, determines whether a vehicle can be established as the source.
• Determines whether an etiologic agent can be established for the outbreak.

3.  Writes grant applications for funds to carry out Health Protection projects and submits to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, other governmental agencies and private foundations.

4.  Coordinate outbreak reporting:

• Ensure that updated and relevant information is included in general reporting including common web platforms, Situation Reports and other reporting mechanisms.

5.  Assists other Central Office staff in interpreting and explaining Health Protection program policies related to outbreaks.

• In areas without local health departments, provides this information to physicians, hospitals, laboratories, and the general public.  

6.  Evaluates the need for and provides training of regional staff and local health department. personnel relating to investigation of food borne, waterborne and vector borne illness.

• Presents lectures and talks to professional groups and occasionally the general public, regarding the Office's outbreak investigation activities.

7.  Serves as liaison to staff from the Office of Disease Control, Divisions of Infectious Diseases and Laboratories, the Office of Preparedness and Response, the Office of Health Care Regulation and other state and Federal agencies to facilitate coordination of investigations.

8.  Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of theduties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Requires possession of a Bachelor's degree in Public Health, environmental health, registered nursing, microbiology, anthropology, veterinary medicine, biology, psychology, chemistry, epidemiology or a related field.
2. Requires four years of professional experience in environmental health, communicable disease, or infectious disease surveillance and/or control programs at the local, state or federal level.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Three years’ experience investigating individual cases of foodborne, vectorborne or waterborne disease.
2. Three years’ experience participating in the investigation of outbreaks of communicable disease.
3. Three years’ experience providing technical assistance and guidance to local health department personnel on outbreaks.
4. Three years’ experience maintaining a computer database on records of outbreaks.
5. Three years’ experience in writing grant applications.
6. One year experience with computer applications, including Epi-Info and Microsoft Access.

Conditions of Employment

1. Requires possession of a valid driver’s license.
2. Requires the ability to travel.