Epizoologist Salary $30.95 - $42.11 Hourly Location Phoenix, AZ Job Type Unclassified/Full-Time Department Public Health Job Number 860EPIZOO12272018 Closing 1/3/2019 11:59 PM Arizona Position Overview The Epizoologist serves as a vector-borne and zoonotic disease subject matter expert, conducts investigations and fieldwork related to epidemiological and animal studies of zoonotic diseases. Activities will include surveillance of animal mortality, review of laboratory results for zoonotic diseases, research on recent zoonosis literature, and investigation of vector borne and zoonotic diseases among humans, if needed. Position Qualifications Minimum education and/or experience : Bachelor's degree in Epidemiology, Zoology, Biology, Wildlife science or a closely related field and three (3) years of experience working in Epidemiology, Veterinary Sciences, Zoology, Entomology or a closely related field. An equivalent combination of post-secondary education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications on a year for year basis. Knowledge, skills, and abilities: Knowledge of: Zoonotic and vector-borne diseases. Basic entomology. Communicable disease reporting requirements. Principles and practices of epidemiology. Public health surveillance systems. Control of communicable disease strategies. Office of Epidemiology protocols and procedures. Skilled in: Verbally communicating with others to convey information effectively. Critical thinking and logical reasoning. Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience. Public speaking and delivering presentations to individuals and groups. Use of computer applications including spreadsheets, databases, word processing and software. Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems. Ability to: Problem-solve a variety of situations in a collaborative environment. Guide, plan, schedule, and/or monitor work activities. Analyze, organize, and prioritize work while meeting multiple deadlines. Lead and mentor professional staff and work with diverse populations. Supervise professional and para-professional staff. Self-motivate and work in a stressful environment. Be flexible and work in variable settings and with variable assignments. Obtain a license in Pesticide Application within 1 year of employment. Preferred education and/or experience: Master's degree or higher in Epidemiology, Zoology, Entomology or related field. Two (2) or more years of veterinary work experience. Two (2) or more years of work experience in Zoology or Entomology. Advanced years of experience working in Epidemiology, Veterinary Sciences, Zoology, Entomology or a closely related field. Preferred training, certifications and/or other special requirements: SAS program proficiency preferred. ArcView training or proficiency desirable. Licensed Pesticide Applicator certification. Experience in managing projects and oversight of research desirable. Bilingual skills (English/Spanish). Veterinary training. Training in zoology or entomology. Working conditions: Must be able to periodically work on-call. Position requires travel to and from job related locations during the course of a scheduled workday, subject to County policies regarding use of County vehicles and/or private vehicles on County business. Be available to answer infectious disease emergency questions from the epidemiology program manager after hours unless on approved leave. Must be able to participate in emergency response training as scheduled and be available to respond as directed in the event of a public health emergency. NOTE: All employees, within one month of hire, will be required to provide evidence of immunity or receive immunizations for vaccine-preventable illnesses for any position within the Maricopa County Department of Public Health. Required immunizations include MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), Tdap (whooping cough and diphtheria), Varicella (chicken pox) and annual Influenza and some positions require a Hepatitis B vaccine and/or a Tuberculosis test. Essential Job Tasks Conducts surveillance and investigation of animal disease and mortality. Identifies and tracks all data on animal disease and mortality in Maricopa County including analysis of databases, identification of sources of new data, and data monitoring. Provides regular analytical reports on animal disease and mortality. Investigates vector-borne and zoonotic diseases among humans. Investigates vector borne and zoonotic diseases such as West Nile Virus, Rabies, and Hantavirus. Investigations may include interviewing victims, collecting samples, examining potential sources of disease spread, etc. Serves as a subject matter expert on zoonotic and vector-borne diseases including advising physicians on call and community veterinarians. Conducts presentations and prepares technical correspondence on related subject matter. May serve as the department spokesperson for media inquiries. Develops a network of local veterinarians in order to establish resources. Maintain open communication with community partners. Works to establish successful community partnerships with Maricopa County Animal Care & Control and municipal animal control programs, pet shelters, Arizona Game and Fish, USDA, Arizona Department of Health Services, Border Health, and/or local veterinarians. Sets up and attends meetings with stakeholders such as veterinarians. Reviews laboratory results for zoonotic diseases. Receives, examines, and interprets all laboratory reports from necropsies and other similar tests. Assists with non-zoonotic outbreak investigations when needed. In rare instances, such as a bioterrorism event or severe disease outbreak, the Epizoologist may be needed to assist with the event or outbreak response. This may require interviewing cases, interpreting lab results, arranging sample collection, etc., for non-zoonotic diseases as directed by Department of Public Health staff. Participates in research or other special projects related to zoonotic diseases. Conducts online literature reviews of recent zoonosis literature and compiles this information for others (veterinarians, epidemiologists, biodefense staff) to ensure that all relevant partners and staff are up to date on current zoonotic disease trends. Selection Procedure The hiring authority will select the successful candidate based on departmental needs. All offers of employment made to new hires and rehires at Maricopa County are contingent upon successful completion of a post-offer, pre-employment thorough background investigation. A background investigation is conducted on a current employee who changes to a Safety Sensitive Position or one having the potential for serious adverse impact on the integrity or efficiency of the County. These requirements do not pertain to employees of elected officials who undergo background investigation processes administered through their respective offices. Typically successful candidates are hired at a salary rate, up to midpoint of the range, based on applicable experience, internal equity and budgetary allowances. Maricopa County offers a Total Compensation Package that includes and a . High value is placed on employee well-being and meeting the needs of our employees and their families. Our benefits package is comprised of traditional benefits like medical, prescription, dental, vision, and other health benefits. Employees are supported by various wellness programs including classes, coaching, and fitness center opportunities. Our generous benefit options are some of the best in Arizona and just one of the unique advantages of working for Maricopa County. Below is a representative listing of typical benefits received by most full-time employees. Holidays and Leave Maricopa County observes ten paid holidays per year. Most County employees accrue vacation (starting at three weeks per year for full-time employees) and sick leave (starting at one hour for every 30 hours worked for all employees). Employees also receive paid leave for other needs such as jury duty, civic duty, and bereavement. Medical, Prescription, Behavioral Health, Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending Accounts We understand how important health care is to maintaining a good quality of life. We also know our employees want to have the freedom to choose benefit plans to best meet their needs. Eligible employees may choose from four medical plan options, an HMO, PPO, and two HDHP (High Deductible Health Plans) with a health savings account. When employees enroll in medical coverage, they are automatically enrolled in prescription and behavioral health coverage as well. There are three dental plans from which to choose, two PPO plans and a pre-paid dental plan that functions like an HMO. As is the case with medical, the plans range in cost, flexibility, and network of providers. The vision plan provides employees and their covered dependents access to routine vision services and materials, including an annual eye exam. For those who wish to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible healthcare and dependent care expenses, the flexible spending accounts are suitable for that need. Life and Disability Insurance Because life sometimes takes unexpected turns, the County offers life insurance coverage to help employees and their loved ones in the event of death. Basic life and basic accidental death & dismemberment insurance equivalent to one times an employee's annual base salary is provided at no cost, with the option for employees to purchase additional coverage including spouse and child life insurance. Disability insurance is available to replace a portion of an employee's salary should they experience a short-term illness or injury. Retirement Eligible employees are covered by one of several State-sponsored retirement pension plans, including the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) and the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS). Additionally, there's the option to contribute to a 457(b) Savings Plan that provides employees with a variety of investment opportunities. For those employees who retire from the County and from their retirement system, and have accrued 1,000 or more hours of sick leave, the County makes a $10,000 contribution to a Post-Employment Health Plan set up on their behalf to be used for payment of eligible out-of-pocket healthcare expenses. Group Legal Plan Maricopa County offers employees group discounts to purchase coverage for legal services such as adoptions, family matters, wills and trusts. Wellness Maricopa County's Wellness Works program promotes health and wellness for employees and their families by focusing on physical activity, good nutrition, self-care and stress management. Maricopa County offers eligible employees a wellness incentive for completing required activities. By meeting a set of criteria, employees and their families can get reimbursed for participating in a Weight Watchers Program. On-site fitness facilities and fitness classes are provided to employees at various locations around the County. Employees and their families also have the opportunity to receive a discounted fitness club membership at LA Fitness. Employees have access to smoking cessation programs and health-related classes on various topics including nutrition, exercise and stress management. Employees located downtown benefit from an onsite pharmacy and clinic. Every fall, flu vaccines are offered to employees at various County locations. Employee Assistance Program (EAP) When employees and their families are faced with personal issues, confidential, short-term counseling and referral services are available to them at no cost. Employee Discounts Maricopa County subscribes to a service association which provides employees with volume discounts for sporting events, entertainment, and many other services. Commute Options Program (COP) Maricopa County provides free Valley Metro passes for the bus and light rail systems for commuting to/from work; a vanpool subsidy is also provided. Employees can decrease stress, decrease wear and tear on their vehicle and help the environment all at the same time. New Employee Orientation (NEO) NEO provides new employees with information about Maricopa County such as: history, organizational structure, Merit Rules, County policies and procedures, County pay system and benefits and employee programs. Rewarding Ideas/Employee Suggestions Employees are provided with incentives to generate ideas for improvements that result in cost reduction through increased efficiency and productivity, improved processes and procedures and elimination of duplication and waste. Our employees' ideas could put money in their pocket!! Tuition Reimbursement To promote Maricopa County's long term employee retention objectives, our employees are eligible to receive financial assistance to continue their education, help make them more productive, enhance their job performance, and equip them to pursue new opportunities within County government. To learn more about the County's generous benefits, visit the website. 01 Prior to hire, background investigations are conducted on candidates for positions. All information contained in your online application MUST be accurate, including but not limited to criminal history, education details, and employment details. Incomplete or inaccurate information contained in your online application may delay the background investigation process, or result in your removal from employment consideration. Your resume is NOT a substitute for the information requested in the online application. By checking this box, I confirm that I have reviewed all information provided in my online application and believe the information to be complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge. 02 Please identify your highest level of education COMPLETED. IMPORTANT: LIST ALL EDUCATION IN THE APPLICABLE SECTION OF THE APPLICATION. Please indicate type of diploma/degree, college major/minor, and name of institution. If you did not complete a degree program, include your high school diploma/GED information, as well as the number of college semester/quarter hours completed. NOTE: Failure to provide complete information will likely result in the disqualification of your application. Doctorate Master's degree Bachelor's degree Associate's degree Technical school (non-Associate's degree) High School diploma or GED Less than a High School diploma or GED certificate 03 Do you have a Bachelor's degree in Epidemiology, Zoology, Biology, Wildlife science or a closely related field? Yes No 04 Please identify your years of experience working in Epidemiology, Veterinary Sciences, Zoology, Entomology or a closely related field. 7 or more years 5 or more years but less than 7 years 3 or more years but less than 5 years 1 or more years but less than 3 years Less than 1 year No experience 05 Do you have a Master's degree or higher in Epidemiology, Zoology, Entomology or related field? Yes No 06 Please identify your years of veterinary work experience. 3 or more years 2 or more years but less than 3 years 1 or more years but less than 2 years Less than 1 year No experience 07 Please identify your years of work experience in Zoology. 3 or more years 2 or more years but less than 3 years 1 or more years but less than 2 years Less than 1 year No experience 08 Please identify your years of work experience in Entomology. 3 or more years 2 or more years but less than 3 years 1 or more years but less than 2 years Less than 1 year No experience 09 Please identify your proficiency in the SAS program. High Moderate Low None 10 Please identify your proficiency in ArcView. High Moderate Low None 11 Do you have a Licensed Pesticide Applicator certification? Yes No 12 Do you have experience in managing projects and oversight of research? Yes No 13 Please identify your reading proficiency in the Spanish language. High Moderate Low None 14 Please identify your speaking proficiency in the Spanish language. High Moderate Low None 15 Please identify your writing proficiency in the Spanish language. High Moderate Low None 16 Have you received veterinary training? Yes No 17 Have you received training in Zoology or Entomology? Yes No Required Question Agency Maricopa County Address 301 W Jefferson Suite 200 Phoenix, Arizona, 85003 Phone 602-506-3755 Website