Surveillance Public Health Specialist
The Surveillance Public Health Specialist conducts entry-level professional public health work focused on disease surveillance and epidemiology. Responsibilities include investigating reportable diseases through data collection and analysis, coordinating laboratory testing, educating the public and healthcare providers, and supervising assigned staff to ensure compliance with health regulations and effective disease control.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Scientific & QA.
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
Requirements
MOS Codes: None
Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant health science or health care–related field.
Licenses and Certificates: Texas Class “C” driver’s license or equivalent from another state.
General Purpose
Under general supervision, perform entry-level professional public health work in support of surveillance and epidemiology programs for the Confidential Client. This role contributes to disease detection, investigation, control, and health education activities across El Paso, TX.
Key Responsibilities / Typical Duties
- Obtain and review reportable disease reports from multiple sources; analyze information to identify patterns and determine whether investigation is needed.
- Interview patients, contacts, healthcare providers and laboratory personnel to collect clinical history, exposure sources, transmission risks and supporting laboratory data.
- Review medical records and complete case reports to maintain accurate investigative data.
- Coordinate collection and transport of clinical or environmental specimens to laboratories for analysis.
- Identify disease sources; monitor and enforce isolation or quarantine when required; provide referrals for testing, treatment and education.
- Provide timely, confidential follow-up by phone or in the field for persons with abnormal tests or known exposures.
- Share findings with supervisors and partner agencies (including state public health) to support investigations and prevent spread.
- Conduct community education and presentations (e.g., via Public Health Speakers Bureau) on communicable diseases, transmission and prevention.
- Maintain accurate records and prepare written and oral reports; use computers for data entry and reporting.
- Dispense prescription and non-prescription medications as directed (when applicable).
- Supervise assigned staff: schedule and assign work, coach and appraise performance, ensure training and compliance with safety and personnel policies.
Qualifications & Skills
- Bachelor’s degree in public health, epidemiology, nursing, or other relevant health science.
- Strong interview and communication skills for working with patients, healthcare providers and community partners.
- Attention to detail for accurate case documentation and data entry.
- Ability to perform field work, including specimen coordination and in-person follow-up.
- Basic supervisory skills for small team oversight.
- Proficiency with common office software and public health databases preferred.
Employment Details & Compensation
- Employment type: Contract / Full-time (unclassified contract position; employment is contingent on continuation of state/federal funding).
- Work location: Various locations within El Paso, TX (79901).
- Salary (estimated): $49,753.60 – $62,192 per year.
- Note: Applicants with foreign degrees must have documents translated and evaluated prior to submission. A completed application (not a résumé alone) is required for consideration; responses that direct reviewers to "see résumé" will be considered incomplete.
Additional Information
- This role requires adherence to public health confidentiality and safety laws.
- Applicants are encouraged to apply promptly; the posting may close once a preset number of applications is received.
- Background checks and other pre-employment screenings may be required.
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.
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