Job Description

SENIOR PUBLIC HEALTH INVESTIGATOR

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and the successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

DEADLINE TO APPLY

This recruitment is open to the public for a minimum of five (5) business days. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately, as the recruitment will close on Please note this Recruitment has been extended and is now scheduled to close on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at 11:59PM (PST). The open eligible list established by this recruitment will be used to fill current and future Senior Public Health Investigator positions within this specialty. This recruitment may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County.

THE AGENCY

The County of Orange , Health Care Agency (HCA) is a dynamic organization dedicated to creating and supporting an environment that promotes the achievement of optimal individual, family and community health. Under the leadership of the Agency Director, a dynamic executive team with an organizational structure comprised of five (5) service areas - Administrative Services, Behavioral Health Services, Correctional Health Services, Public Health Services (PHS) and Specialized Medical Services - is committed to meeting the health needs of the diverse Orange County community.

THE PROGRAM

17th Street Testing, Treatment and Care Clinic (TTC) is a co-located Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Clinic and a Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Outpatient Ambulatory Care Clinic. The mission of TTC is to “serve a diverse community through testing, treatment, and care of STIs and HIV with confidential, compassionate, and comprehensive services to empower and educate our patients to lead healthy lives.” TTC provides STI and HIV screening to individuals 12 years and older and primary medical care for uninsured people living with HIV/AIDS. TTC provides high-quality STI and HIV services including medical care, case management, HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), HIV Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), DoxyPEP, Rapid Antiretroviral Therapy (Rapid ART), AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), information & education on STI and HIV care, Ryan White eligibility screening, HIV partner services, and treatment adherence. THE OPPORTUNITY The Senior Public Health Investigator (Sr. PHI) is the advanced journey level in the Public Health Investigator (PHI) series. The Sr. PHI delivers responsive, high-quality services to the local health jurisdiction, external agencies, and the public, providing accurate, thorough, and timely investigations with courtesy and efficiency. The primary goal of these activities is to prevent and control disease transmission by ensuring prompt examination and adequate treatment for individuals diagnosed or exposed to communicable diseases. This position will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following: Providing training and mentoring to Public Health Investigator Trainees (PHITs) and Public Health Investigators (PHIs) under the direction of the supervisor, including technical guidance on casework Managing the most complex disease cases; and conducting quality assurance activities within a public health investigation unit Reviewing and monitoring the work of a team of public health investigators to ensure progress and quality, and confirming adherence to program policies, procedures, and standards established by the State of California Interviewing and investigating patients and potential sources or contacts to STIs, HIV and or other communicable diseases, while promoting compliance with public health laws and recommendations Conducting field investigations and contact tracing of suspected individuals exposed to STIs, HIV and other communicable disease using information from patients, acquaintances, public authorities and other available sources. Referring contacts to a diagnostic facility for examination and/or treatment Designing strategies to enhance case reporting, including gathering information, contacting patients diagnosed with STIs, HIV and other communicable disease, locating their contacts, and collecting data on treated cases. Providing physicians with up-to-date information on current outbreaks, diagnostic and treatment methods, and the latest developments in communicable disease trends Contacting and gaining cooperation of laboratories and medical providers to gain their cooperation and ensure the ongoing reporting of reactive test results to the Health Department Performing a variety of informational and educational activities involved in the communicable disease control program Maintaining records and writing case reports May be required to transport patients in County vehicles when necessary This position will include interviewing inmates within Orange County jail facilities. Selected candidates will be required to complete the necessary jail clearance during their probationary period

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & CORE COMPETENCIES

The ideal candidate will possess four (4) years of experience performing STD/HIV investigations in a Public Health Department. In addition, the ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge and/or experience in the following core competencies: HIV & STIs KNOWLEDGE | PUBLIC HEALTH SURVEILLANCE EXPERIENCE Diagnostic tests for STIs, HIV and other communicable diseases; methods of transmission, symptoms, etiology, diagnosis, development, and treatment of communicable diseases Medical terminology and corresponding terminology used by clinical researchers, providers, and the general public Performing contact tracing including gathering and analyzing data to identify outbreaks Techniques and methods of investigative interviewing; health education techniques regarding communicable diseases Working with online reporting and data systems {e.g. California Reportable Disease Information Exchange (CalREDIE), and CalCONNECT} Utilizing social media and virtual technology including Online Dating website platforms to facilitate public health investigations and surveillance Prioritizing and managing a workload that involves case review and closure and supporting and mentoring staff in their duties

RELATIONSHIP BUILDING | INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

Building collaborative partnerships with private and public healthcare facilities Establishing a strong trust and rapport with clients to enhance disease intervention and prevention efforts Establishing effective working relationships with management, employees, employee representatives, and the public from diverse cultures and backgrounds, while treating with courtesy and respect Assessing the clients' immediate needs including ensuring they receive necessary services either directly or through appropriate referral Exercising appropriate judgment in answering questions and releasing information while analyzing and projecting consequences of decisions and/or recommendations Communicating effectively with individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds (i.e., gender-diverse, LGBTQ+, street-involved/unhoused, justice involved, persons living with and substance using individuals). and demonstrating sensitivity, tact, and diplomacy in challenging situations Providing responsive, high-quality service to County employees, representatives of outside agencies and members of the public by providing accurate, complete and up-to-date information, in a courteous, efficient and timely manner

LEADERSHIP | MENTORSHIP

Providing strong leadership to team and staff by creating a productive work environment and facilitating and demonstrating teamwork and cooperation Mentoring, training and providing technical guidance to a unit of Public Health Investigators Leading and conducting quality assurance activities for a unit of Public Health Investigators ensuring compliance with established standards, procedures, and program goals

ORAL & WRITTEN | COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Conducting investigative interviewing in both office and field settings Providing counseling on STIs, HIV and other communicable disease prevention and control within specific public health areas Communicating effectively, both orally and in writing with organizations, individuals in crisis; and persons from varying cultural, ethnic and educational backgrounds of varying sexual preferences Preparing detailed case write-ups and meticulous reporting; compiling statistics, conducting research, and updating records and reports

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS | REQUIREMENTS

A valid California Class C driver's license, which must be maintained throughout employment in this class, is required at time of appointment, or the ability to arrange necessary and timely transportation for field travel Incumbents in the HIV and STD program are required to complete HIV Testing and Counseling Certification within six (6) months of employment and are required to maintain this certification through participation in employer provided trainings for the duration of employment in this class.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Click here to learn more about the minimum qualifications for the Senior Public Health Investigator classification as well as the physical and mental requirements and the environmental and working conditions. PHYSICAL, MENTAL, ENVIRONMENTAL AND WORKING CONDITIONS Physical and Mental Requirements Vision sufficient to read standard text, read a computer monitor and to drive; speak and hear well enough to communicate clearly and understandably in person, over the telephone and in small groups; independent body mobility to stand, sit, walk, stoop, and bend to access a standard office environment; manual dexterity to use hands, arms and shoulders repetitively to operate a keyboard, to write and drive a vehicle. Will be required to interact with clients/patients in emotional and occasionally hostile situations. Environmental and Working Conditions Work is commonly performed in an indoor climate controlled office environment. However, field work in the course of case investigations may expose incumbents to higher noise levels, dust, and/or unpleasant odors. Travel to other locations or field sites will be required routinely. May have contact with patients infected with communicable diseases (chickenpox, influenza, measles, sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis, etc.).

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Human Resource Services (HRS) will screen all application materials to identify qualified applicants. After screening, qualified applicants will be referred to the next step and notified of all further procedures applicable to their status in the competition. Application Screening (Refer/Non-Refer) Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applications exhibiting qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step. Structured Oral Interview | Oral Exam(Weighted 100%) Candidates will be interviewed and rated by an oral interview panel of job knowledge experts. Each candidate's rating will be based on responses to a series of structured questions designed to elicit the candidate's qualifications for the job. Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure. Eligible List Once the assessments have been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies. Veterans Employment Preference Policy (VEPP) The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here to review the policy.

EMAIL NOTIFICATION:

Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account. NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply. Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with governmentjobs.com and ocgov.com. If your email address should change, please update your profile at .

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions. QUESTIONS: For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Rosemary Donis at rdonis@ochca.com or (714) 834-6761 .

EEO INFORMATION:

Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply. Employer County of Orange Address

400 W CIVIC CENTER DRIVE

Santa Ana, California, 92701 Phone 714-834-2555 Website #J-18808-Ljbffr OCERS

Job Tags

Traineeship, Work at office, Local area, Immediate start,

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