Description

Under supervision, Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) functions as part of a public health team. The DIS participates in programs related to the control of various communicable diseases, including investigative interviews, medication adherence monitoring, and providing education and information on disease etiology and the prevention of communicable diseases. The DIS may also be involved in other health promotion and screening activities, will help division achieve and maintain Public Health 3.0, and will perform other duties as required.

Example of Duties

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

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  Ability to effectively outreach and educate individuals about disease prevention.
• Conduct telephone calls with persons suspected or confirmed with a communicable disease to complete case interviews, elicit contacts, implement control measures, initiate referrals, and educate on disease etiology and methods to reduce spread.
• Participate in or manage outbreak investigations.
• Serve on the Tuberculosis Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) team, conduct home visits for clients to ensure medication adherence.
• Conducts case management activities in response to reportable events, such as lead poisoning, or for other public health issues.
• May conduct public health or chronic disease screenings and provides appropriate education and referrals.
• Performs data entry into electronic records and databases, data searches, reporting, and other functions using various information systems.
• Maintains detailed records and reports according to guidelines of appropriate programs.
• Provide educational presentations and workshops on a range of topics related to public health and communicable disease.
• Participates in health strategy initiatives to enhance the effectiveness of the public health system.
• Participate in the development and implementation of strategic and operational plans related to emerging public health issues.
• Establishes and maintains community partnerships with agencies and organizations to foster cooperation and prevent duplication of services.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with staff, local, state and regional agencies, organizations, community groups, and the public.
• Act as a first responder in a natural disaster or any public health, chemical, biological, nuclear, or radiological event.
• Performs other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS
Essential Knowledge and Abilities

• Considerable knowledge of public health principles, including foundational public health services, essential public health services, and core functions of public health.
• Considerable knowledge of health promotion and preventive health care, including the prevention and control of communicable and chronic diseases.
• Considerable knowledge of health education principles, theories, and practices.
• Considerable knowledge of social determinants of health & health equity.
• Considerable knowledge of the laws regulating the confidentiality of client information.
• Working knowledge of computerized department program software including electronic health record, internet access and database, spreadsheet, and word processing programs.
• Ability to demonstrate clinical skills, such as conducting chronic disease screenings.
• Ability to maintain detailed records and reports according to guidelines of appropriate programs.
• Ability to speak and write effectively.
• Ability to make presentations to small and large groups.
• Ability to evaluate and organize health education materials and equipment needed.
• Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with staff, local, state, and regional agencies, organizations, community groups, and the public.
• Ability to effectively interact with sensitivity with persons from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial, ethnic, and professional backgrounds, and persons of all ages and lifestyles.
• Ability to plan, organize, and effectively carry out a variety of assignments.
• Ability to respond to a public health outbreak or an emergency government situation.
• Ability to work in an enclosed environment wearing personal protective equipment.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from a recognized college or university with a bachelor’s degree in public health, community health education, education with at least a minor in health, or a closely related field.
  
  OR
  
• Graduation from a recognized college or university with a bachelor’s degree in education, the behavioral sciences, or closely related field plus one-year work experience in planning and implementing community programs in public health.

Supplemental Information

This work assignment falls within the Community Health Educator classification specification which can be viewed here: Class Specifications | Waukesha County Employment (governmentjobs.com).

Waukesha County's pay plans, group insurance programs, and other benefit policies comprise a package that is highly competitive and satisfies the needs of its employees. This is intended to give only a brief summary of the employee benefit package. Additional information will be provided at the time of hire. Benefits for part-time positions are pro-rated.

Vacation
2-weeks 1 – 2 years of service
3-weeks 3 – 9 years of service
4-weeks 10 – 16 years of service
5-weeks 17 or more years of service
Holidays (9 paid holidays)
New Year's Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving day
The Day after Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
New Year's Eve Day

Floating Holidays
2 paid floating holidays earned on February 1 and June 1.

Sick Leave
12-days of sick leave granted immediately upon hire. Thereafter, 1-day earned per month, up to a maximum of 120-days.

Funeral Leave
Up to 24-hours of leave with pay to attend the funeral of an immediate family member.

Health Insurance – High Deductible Health Plan
County pays 85% of premium and employee contributes 15% of the premium.

Health Savings Account
Pre-tax savings account that can be used for qualifying medical expenses (e.g. office visit fees, co-pays, prescriptions, vision and dental). County contributes to health savings account based on Health Risk Assessment completion- $2,250 for family plan and $1,125 for single plan.

Onsite Health and Wellness Clinic
Available to individuals who are enrolled in the County's health insurance plan including employees, spouses, and children ages 2+. Preventive care services are free. All dispensed prescriptions are $2. Dispensed available ACA preventative medications are $0 cost. Non-preventative care visits are $28. Physical therapy is $28 per visit. No cost for office visits after deductible is met. Clinic staffed with MD and Physician Assistant, Physical Therapists, and Health Coaches.

Dental Insurance
Choice of two dental plans. Coverage begins on the first day of the month following 6-months of employment.

Vision Insurance
Coverage begins on the first day of the month following 60-days of employment.

Employee Wellness Activities & Program/Fitness Center
24/7 access to a wealth of health tools and information on the wellness portal. On-going education programs, fitness challenges and classes. On-site fitness center in Administration Center and Health & Human Services buildings.

Retirement Pension
As a full-time employee, you will automatically be enrolled in the Wisconsin Retirement System. This pension is administered by the State of Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds. You are required to pay the employee's share of contributions to the fund, while Waukesha County contributes the employer's share. Employees are vested in their portion of contributions immediately and after five years of creditable service for the employer contribution. To view employee/employer contribution rates, visit Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds' website and type in WRS Contribution Rates in the search box.

Part time employees are enrolled and required to pay the employee's share of contributions after working 1,200 hours of work in any 12-month period.

457 Deferred Compensation
Optional program used to supplement retirement income. Pre-tax and Roth options available. Eligible to contribute upon hire.

Payroll Roth IRA
Optional post-tax program used to supplement retirement income. Eligible to contribute upon hire.

Group Term Life Insurance
Automatic coverage in life insurance at no cost to employee. Coverage effective first of the month following six months of employment. Coverage upon hire is two times annual salary and then transitions to two times prior year gross salary after at least one full calendar year of employment is completed.

Voluntary Supplemental Term Life Insurance
Additional voluntary coverage for an employee at the employee's expense. May purchase amount in increments of $25,000 up to $200,000. No medical underwriting upon initial eligibility. Coverage effective first of the month following six months of employment.

Dependent Life Insurance
Voluntary life insurance coverage for a spouse or dependent child at the employee's expense. Coverage effective first of the month following six months of employment.
Coverage options:
Option 1:$20,000 (spouse)/$10,000 (child) - $4.00/month
Option 2: $10,000 (spouse)/$5,000 (child) - $2.00/month

Dependent Care FSA
Optional pre-tax benefit account where employees to deduct up to $5,000 ($2,500 if married and filing separate federal income tax returns) that can used to reimburse self for eligible dependent care services such as child or adult daycare. Coverage effective first of month following 60 days of employment.

Healthcare FSA
Optional pre-tax benefit account where employee can contribute pre-tax dollars to pay for health care expenses not covered under a group health, dental, or vision plan such as deductible, co-insurance, co-pay etc. Must not be enrolled in an HSA Qualifying High Deductible Health Plan to elect. Coverage effective first of month following 60 days of employment.

Retirement Health Savings Plan
Automatic enrollment in a retirement health savings plan. County makes contributions each month on the second paycheck of the month on behalf of employee. Effective the first of the month following employment.

Long-term Disability Insurance
Automatic coverage in long-term disability. County pays 100% of monthly premiums. Coverage effective the first of the month following employment.

Employee Assistance Program
Voluntary program that offers free and confidential assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up services to employees and their family members who have personal and/or work-related problems. Unlimited access to a highly informative website with articles and tools to support you in a wide variety of your work/life needs. Eligible immediately upon hire.

Tuition Reimbursement
Financial assistance for attending Job-related classes.

Employee Discount Programs

• Dell products
• Discount on cell service through U.S. Cellular, AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon
• Discounted rate to get Microsoft 365 through Microsoft Home Use Program

Pay for Performance
Employees are eligible for performance based merit awards with exceptional and commendable performance ratings

Student Loan Forgiveness
Employees may qualify to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Special Programs - MyFedLoan).