Communicable Disease Investigator-STI/HCV/HIV Program (Open & Promotional)

San Mateo County Health is seeking a well-qualified individual for the position of Communicable Disease Investigator-STI/HCV/HIV Program, to perform a variety of duties in the County of San Mateo STI/HCV/HIV Program. The STI/HCV/HIV Communicable Disease Investigator (CDI) participates in a wide variety of sexually transmitted infection control and prevention services to patients, case contacts, health care providers, institutions, organizations and communities throughout the County of San Mateo. This position reports to the HIV Prevention Community Program Supervisor.
The STI/HCV/HIV Communicable Disease Investigator will work as part of a team to provide STI/HCV/HIV outreach, education, and testing to communities at increased risk for sexually transmitted infections, HIV, and Hepatitis C disease, investigate and document sexually transmitted infections via phone interviews, clinic and field visits; complete, review and submit all disease forms (CMR, Field Records and other medical records), both electronically and on paper, to the Senior CDI; provide information, education and consultation regarding treatment for sexually transmitted infections including control policies to health care providers, institutions, organizations, communities and the general public; provide sexually transmitted infection and HIV prevention presentations and in-service trainings to professional and lay groups in the community upon request depending upon staff availability and resources.
Some of the primary duties of the STI/HCV/HIV CDI include, but are not limited to the following:

• Provide street-based and jail-based HCV/HIV education and testing to individuals at high risk for HCV/HIV from drug-use, sexual behaviors, or other risky behaviors.
• Provide outreach in target communities in which people reside or congregate.
• Provide STI/HCV/HIV prevention messages and outreach via internet and geo-locating dating apps
• Identify areas of the county where high-risk groups congregate and build rapport with the communities.
• Maintain all necessary documentation of services and submit reports in a timely manner.
• Investigate and follow up on reported gonorrhea, Chlamydia and syphilis in order to verify diagnosis and ensure that appropriate surveillance, treatment and reporting measures are implemented.
• Provide STI/HCV/HIV testing at local events.
• Perform rapid HIV and HCV tests in clinical and field-based settings.
• Provide education regarding sexually transmitted infections in a variety of forums including local schools and community-based organizations.
• Participate in continuing education and professional development activities regarding current and emerging sexually transmitted disease public health issues.
• Assist with non-STI disease investigations, outbreak investigations and other general duties as assigned.
• Drive a 30-foot mobile testing van.

The ideal candidate will possess strong interviewing skills and the ability to locate individuals who require additional field investigation regarding exposure, treatment and transmission; have experience in behavior change, harm-reduction and outreach techniques; be comfortable discussing explicit sexual behaviors with patients as well as colleagues; be knowledgeable regarding internet-based outreach and social networking activities ; and have a minimum of two years' experience working with individuals from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Prior completion of Introduction to Sexually Transmitted Disease Intervention (ISTDI) and State of California HIV and HCV Test Counselor training is preferred. .
This position requires travel, field work, and after-hours work as needed. Handling patient specimens and venipuncture may also be required. The incumbent is expected to be able to independently transport themselves, patients, specimens and medical supplies to appointments and other locations. Due to this expectation, the position requires possession of a class C California driver license or the ability to provide suitable transportation, as approved by the appointing authority. Therefore, public transportation is not a viable option to fully and effectively perform the duties of this position.
NOTE: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, term, unclassified, and regular classified vacancies.Licensure/Certification: California class C driver license or equivalent or the ability to provide suitable transportation, as approved by the appointing authority.
Knowledge of:

• Methods of transmission, diagnosis and treatment of Communicable Diseases.
• Accepted techniques of Communicable Disease control.
• Diagnostic tests for Communicable Diseases.

Skill/Ability to:

• Conduct effective fact gathering interviews of a highly personal nature.
• Exercise initiative and tact in tracing contacts and bringing them to obtain treatment.
• Relate easily to people from diverse cultures and varying lifestyles.
• Apply the rules and regulations relative to Communicable Disease control.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

Education and Experience: Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and skills is qualifying. A typical way of gaining the knowledge and skills is:
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in biologic science, public health, or a related field.Open & Promotional. Anyone may apply. Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, Confidential and Management extra-help/limited term, and SEIU or AFSCME represented extra help/limited term positions prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score on this examination.
The examination process will consist of an application screening (weight: pass/fail) based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%). Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, California and applicants must participate at their own expense.
IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply. Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire.
Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.
TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
Final Filing Date: March 12, 2024, 11:59 p.m. Pacific
Screening Committee: March 14, 2024
Combined Civil Service Panel/Departmental Interviews: March 25 and/or 26, 2024

San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse communities. The County of San Mateo is committed to advancing equity in order to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.

The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion at all levels.

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Talent Acquisition Analyst: Yvonne Alvidrez (022824) (Communicable Disease Investigator - J047)Employment Type: Full-Time