Public Health Disease Intervention Specialist I

Agency

Dept of Health and Human Services

Division

Public Health

Job Classification Title

Publ Hlth Disease Intervention Spec I (S)

Position Number

60039811

Grade

MH08

About Us

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.

Description of Work

The Public Health Disease Intervention Specialist I position supports the Communicable Disease Branch by conducting field-based investigations to identify, locate, and interview individuals associated with high‑priority sexually transmitted disease and HIV cases across multiple counties.

This role gathers case‑related information, explains disease processes and legal requirements, and determines follow‑up priorities using epidemiologic analysis. Work includes providing education, consultation, and technical assistance to local health departments and private providers on interview techniques, treatment procedures, and quality control standards.

The Public Health Disease Intervention Specialist I position also performs phlebotomy on suspected cases, offers counseling and referral services for individuals with HIV, and supports partner notification activities as part of broader disease control efforts.


Key Duties Include:
- Conduct personal interviews with individuals involved in sexually transmitted disease and HIV investigations to obtain accurate case‑related information.

- Locate and engage high‑priority case suspects, contacts, and associates to ensure timely medical examination and treatment.

- Explain disease processes, treatment expectations, prevention strategies, and legal requirements to clients during investigative interactions.

- Analyze epidemiologic information from interviews and records to determine follow‑up priorities and necessary actions.

- Provide education, consultation, and technical assistance to local health departments and private providers regarding interview techniques, record procedures, treatment protocols, and quality control.

- Perform phlebotomy procedures on suspected cases as part of diagnostic and investigative activities.

- Offer notification, counseling, and referral services for individuals with HIV and their sex or needle‑sharing partners, including risk‑reduction education.

- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, medical providers, and community stakeholders across diverse populations.

- Assist in evaluating the quality and impact of partner notification processes to improve overall disease control outcomes.

- Travel across assigned counties using personal transportation to complete field investigations and follow‑up responsibilities.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Range: $43,477.00 - $65,216.00

Recruitment Range: $43,477.00 - $50,000.00

Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement. 
 
The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)/ Management Preferences are not required. Applicants who possess the following skills are preferred: 

• Demonstrated experience conducting personal interviews and eliciting case‑related information using established investigative and supportive counseling techniques, with intermediate proficiency in applying structured interview processes.

• Proven skill performing field investigations to locate and engage high‑priority case suspects, contacts, and associates, including managing multi‑county travel and completing follow‑up activities within required timeframes.

• Experienced in explaining sexually transmitted disease and HIV disease processes, prevention strategies, legal requirements, and treatment expectations in a manner aligned with public health guidance.

• Professional experience providing technical assistance to local health departments and private providers on interview techniques, treatment procedures, record handling, and quality control standards.

• Advanced skills in conducting phlebotomy on suspected cases and documenting results as part of the diagnostic and investigative workflow, with demonstrated consistency in adhering to program protocols.

REPOST - Previous Applicants Do Not Need To Reapply To Be Considered For This Vacancy 
 

The Posting Will Close At 11:59 P.M. The Night Before The End Date

This Position Is 100% Federally Funded

This Position Is Designated As Mandatory And Must Report Or Stay Over During Adverse Weather Events

Physical Requirements:

Ability to work independently in non-handicapped accessible areas.

About the NC Division of Public Health (DPH):
The NC Division of Public Health works to promote and contribute to the highest possible level of health for the people of North Carolina. Our entire statewide system of public health has dedicated professionals who carry out our mission every day through a wide range of essential and activities touching the lives of everyone in our state.

About the Communicable Disease Branch:
The Communicable Disease Branch strives to protect and improve the health of people in North Carolina through disease detection, tracking, investigation, control, education, prevention and care activities to reduce morbidity and mortality resulting from communicable diseases that are a significant threat to the public. The Communicable Disease Branch works with the public, local health departments and other public health agencies, healthcare professionals, educators, businesses, communities and healthcare facilities to ensure that North Carolina is prepared to respond to any communicable disease situation that affects the people who live, work and visit here. 

Compensation and Benefits: 

The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees. Visit the website for State Benefits. 

Supplemental Contact Information: 

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer that embraces an Employment First philosophy, which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws, and Executive Orders.  We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job.  For more information about DHHS:  https://www.ncdhhs.gov/. 

DHHS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals.  Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position. 

In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order 303, our agency supports second-chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated or justice-involved.  We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for which they may be qualified. 

               

Application Process 

Be sure to complete the application in its entirety.   Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application. 

• Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information. 

• Answers to Supplemental Questions are not a substitute for providing all relevant information within the body of your application. To receive credit for the supplemental questions, you must provide supporting information within the "Work Experience" section of the application to support your answers. 

• If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the closing date will be accepted. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM on the closing date. 

• Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check. All candidates selected for positions considered "Positions of Trust" will be subject to a criminal background check. 

• Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account.  Upon the closing date, applications are "Under Review" and will be screened by Human Resources for qualified applicants. The hiring process may take several weeks. 

• Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.  Transcripts and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application. The State of North Carolina/Office of State Human Resources uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent. 

• For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at https://www.naces.org/members. 

Degree/College Credit Verification 

Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts, degree evaluations, and cover letters may be uploaded with your application. 

Veterans’ and National Guard Preference 

• Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications. 

• Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application, if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing.  

• Applicants who are former members of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application. 

ADA Accommodations 

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DHHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, DHHS will ensure that people with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided with reasonable accommodation.  If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below. 

CONTACT INFORMATION  

If there are any questions about this posting, please contact Talent Acquisition at talentacquisition@dhhs.nc.gov. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application. 

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Bachelor's degree from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of experience in public health investigation and/or disease control activities

OR

An equivalent combination of education and experience.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

Recruiter:

Tresha Walker

Email:

talentacquisition@dhhs.nc.gov