Communicable Disease Investigator

The Position

This recruitment is open only to Mendocino County employees with at least six (6) months of regular, full-time continuous employment or equivalent permanent part-time service. The current vacancy is in Public Health.

Under general direction, performs specialized duties in the investigation, identification, surveillance, and prevention of communicable diseases and sexually transmitted diseases; provides health education on disease prevention and control; conducts professional interaction with healthcare providers and the general public on disease related issues.

Bilingual English/Spanish encouraged to apply. Se buscan personas bilingües en inglés y español. Para recibir una solicitud en español, llame a Recursos Humanos al 234-6600.

Job Requirements and Minimum Qualifications

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Performs specialized duties in the investigation, identification, surveillance, and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases through field interview, data collection, and review of medical and laboratory reports.
• Provides consumer education on infectious disease causality, means of transmission, and methods of preventive/control.
• Receives incoming laboratory and confidential morbidity reports to verify reported information is consistent with established case definitions for reportable diseases.
• Collects case information from health care providers or afflicted population groups using a variety of surveillance techniques.
• Assists in case management of patients diagnosed with communicable diseases.
• Conducts investigation interviews and contact tracing related to infectious, communicable, and atypical disease events.
• Initiates established procedures for isolation/quarantine of afflicted individuals or exposure contacts in order to limit the spread of infectious disease.
• Investigates reported or suspected outbreaks of illness, in collaboration with County's Departments, and/or other regulatory agencies; participates in the identification of cause, and implementation of disease prevention and control measures.
• Maintains client confidentiality; maintains confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or County regulations.
• Attends and participates in Public Health Department meetings; provides oral briefings and prepares written reports on individual cases and communicable disease outbreaks.
• Participates in professional development activities consistent with the area of assignment.
• May be assigned as a lead for special projects involving activities of disease prevention, education, or early intervention.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Education and Experience:

Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in public health, biological sciences, or a closely related physical science field; AND t wo (2) years of professional disease investigation experience,

OR

A combination of higher education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Licenses and Certifications:

Valid Driver’s License

Valid Licensed Vocational Nurse (preferred)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Internal departmental policies and procedures.
• Applicable, federal, state and local ordinances, codes, laws and mandates, etc.
• External governmental bodies and agencies relat4ed to the area of assignment.
• Operations, services, and activities of a comprehensive public health program with respect to the identification, prevention, and control of communicable diseases.
• Risk factors, general symptoms, communicability, transmission, and treatment of infectious diseases.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned areas of responsibility.
• Methods and practices for conducting health related and disease occurrence investigations.
• Individual and group interviewing techniques applied to disease source and exposure identification.
• Principles of health education and effective teaching/training methods.
• Methods and techniques of collecting and sorting data.
• Principles and practices of documentation preparation and recordkeeping.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and interdisciplinary teams.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff.
• Principles of effective verbal and written communication.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination.
• Computers and software programs to conduct, compile, and/or generate documentation.

Skill in:

• Organizing work, setting priorities and following up on assignments with a minimum of direction.
• Maintain confidentiality in accordance with legal standards and/or county regulations.
• Using tact, discretion, initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Working with diverse populations.
• Communicating clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.

Mental and Physical Abilities:

• Collecting, evaluate, and summarize multiple sources and forms of information and data.
• Identifying communicable disease risk factors, transmission routes, and containment methods.
• Researching health topics for the purpose of providing community-based education.
• Preparing clear and concise correspondence, reports, and assorted written material.
• Providing clear, accurate, and complete investigation records, including entries into client specific written or electronic health records.
• Effectively represent the County in meetings with governmental agencies; community groups; businesses, professional, and regulatory organizations; and the general public.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work .
• While performing the essential functions of this position, the incumbent is required to frequently lift and/or move objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Selection Procedure & Other Important Information

Important Application Information:

• It is your responsibility to demonstrate through your application materials how you meet the minimum qualifications of the position/s for which you apply.
• You must complete all sections of the application. A résumé or other information you feel will help us evaluate your qualifications may be attached to your completed application, but will not be accepted in lieu of completing any part of the application. Blank applications that contain only a résumé or those that reference “see résumé” will be rejected as incomplete.
• Check your application before submitting to ensure it is complete and correct; no new or additional information will be accepted after the closing date.
• Inquiry will be made of your former and current employers; please provide the names and telephone numbers of supervisors on your application.
• You must provide the names and contact information of at least three (3) references (not relatives) that have knowledge of your job skills, experience, ability and/or character.
• Application materials are the property of Mendocino County and will not be returned.
• It is your responsibility to keep your NEOGOV profile updated, including any changes to your telephone number or address. Failure to do so may result in missed notification of exams or interviews.
• The exam process listed on this flyer is tentative. Mendocino County reserves the right to make necessary modifications to the examination plan. Such revisions will be in accordance with approved personnel standards. Should a change be made, applicants will be notified.
• The provisions of this job bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

Examination Process: All complete applications will be reviewed; incomplete applications will not be considered. Based on the number of qualified candidates, applicants meeting the job requirements and qualifications will be invited to participate in an oral examination (weight 100) or an unassembled exam, consisting of an evaluation of education and experience as stated on the application form. The examination process will test the knowledge and abilities described above. A minimum score of 70 must be attained for placement on the employment list.

Special Testing: The County of Mendocino is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), if special accommodations for a disability or religious conviction are necessary at any stage of the application and/or testing process, please notify the Human Resources Department in advance at (707) 234-6600. Reasonable notice is required to allow adequate time for review and evaluation of your request.

Special Requirements: Employment in some County departments or positions may require the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background, which may include fingerprinting, and/or a medical examination, which may include drug screening.

This announcement is a synopsis of duties and requirements of this job. To review the complete classification specification and benefits, please see the HR website. Applications must be submitted to the Human Resources Department by the final filing date.

The County of Mendocino is an Equal Opportunity Employer


This information is a summary of general benefits. Benefits listed in Mendocino County Resolutions or Memorandums of Understanding prevail over this listing. This information is not legally binding, nor does it constitute a Contract.

SALARY
Compensation is based on a five-step salary range, with annual merit-based increases within the salary range.

RETIREMENT
Covered under Social Security and the 1937 act; both employees and the County pay into the retirement fund. For the most current information regarding County Retirement please go to:
https://www.mendocinocounty.org/retirement

HOLIDAYS AND PERSONAL LEAVE
Mendocino County observes 11 paid holidays per year. Employees are granted 24 - 48 hours of personal leave annually, depending upon Bargaining Unit.

VACATION
Accrues at the rate of two weeks per year for three years. Three weeks per year after three years, four weeks after eight years and five weeks after 15 years.

SICK LEAVE
Paid sick leave accrues at the rate of 1.25 days per month, or 15 days per year. Accruals are pro-rated for part-time employees working at least 20 hours per week. Part-time employees working less than 20 hours per week, and extra-help employees receive up to 24 hours (or 3 days) of paid sick leave annually.

MEDICAL, DENTAL, VISION, AND LIFE INSURANCE
The County and the employee share the cost of an employee selected health care plan; enrollment in the plan includes $20,000 Life Insurance.

HEALTH INSURANCE
For the most current information regarding Health Insurance please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/ehb

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
For the most current information regarding Employee Assistance please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/eap

EMPLOYEE WELLNESS PROGRAM
For the most current information regarding Employee Wellness please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/mcwow

LABOR CONTRACTS
For the complete list of most current labor agreements please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/labor

Closing Date/Time: 8/12/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Please mention you found this employment opportunity on the CareersInGovernment.com job board.

• 

• County of Mendocino

• 707-234-6600

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