The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Office of AIDS (OA) is recruiting outstanding candidates to serve as Network Intervention Specialists for an important new HIV prevention activity. The NIS will work on the HIV C-CORE team to provide HIV cluster detection and outbreak response intervention activities in California. Cluster detection and response is a strategy to use public health data to identify communities affected by rapid HIV transmission. CDPH and their partners then aim to address gaps in prevention and care at individual, network, and systems levels. This HIV C-CORE team works to develop best practices in cluster detection and response as well as methods to evaluate outcomes of this work. This team is responsible for coordinating, presenting, and reporting cluster detection and response activities to local partners, stakeholders, and federal partners including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The Network Intervention Specialist under the direction of the Outbreak and Field Investigation Unit Chief will aid in the implementation of project specific activities aimed at enhancing HIV cluster surveillance and disease intervention outcomes by supporting local health jurisdictions (LHJs) in conducting timely investigations to prevent and diagnose new HIV transmissions, and link to treatment. The Network Intervention Specialist works closely with the C-CORE Program Coordinator, evaluation team, and leadership to develop and adapt CDR processes and promising practices for HIV intervention.

The Network Intervention Specialist also works collaboratively with managers and staff within the Office of AIDS (OA), the Sexually Transmitted Diseases Control Branch (STDCB) and external stakeholders to support outbreak response needs, contribute to reports, policies, procedures, and tools that assist CDR intervention.

Must submit a cover letter and a resume with the application to be considered.

Salary range: $70, 260 - $87, 924 annually depending on experience/qualifications

This is a temporary, grant-funded, full-time, benefited position. This position is funded through July 2025 with the possibility of being extended.

If hired for this position, applicant will be required to provide proof of full vaccination for COVID-19 prior to the start date; or have a valid religious or medical reason qualifying the applicant for an exemption (that may or may not require accommodation). The applicant will need to have the qualifying exemption.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Review and match medical record information looking for missed opportunities and develop tailored interview approaches for specific populations and networks.
• Conduct in-depth interviews using a semi-structured format, active listening, and a client-centered approach.
• Provide coordination and assistance in the implementation of project specific activities aimed at enhancing HIV CDR and disease intervention outcomes by conducting timely investigations, client reinterviews and contact tracing.
• Provide support, assistance, and guidance to assigned LHJs to build local capacity for HIV cluster intervention services as needed with emphasis in the areas of surveillance, field investigation, contact tracing, and HIV partner services.
• Conduct inter-jurisdictional coordination of HIV cluster intervention activities in assigned health jurisdictions.
• Disseminate state and national disease intervention mandates, guidelines, priorities, and procedures to local health officials and other program staff assuring acceptance and proper implementation.
• Represent the HIV C-CORE team on calls with CDPH leadership, LHJs, and other stakeholders.
• Develop guidance to share with other jurisdictions on promising practices that ensure consistency in data collection and data entry and adapt promising practices from other jurisdictions for pilot in California.
• Coordinate and interact with state and local public health departments, laboratories, and CDC.
• Travel to other jurisdictions, within and outside of California, to provide technical assistance and consultation on CDR intervention strategies.
• Conduct regular quality assurance of CDR data (completeness, valid response/codes).
• Develop materials and tools for CDR intervention.
• Collaborate effectively in a team environment.
• Ability to quickly build rapport by phone.
• Perform other duties as directed by leadership.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with medical interviewing, case investigation, contact tracing or partner services, or outbreak response. Experience in HIV or STI prevention is preferred.
• Comfortable discussing and reviewing confidential and sensitive health information.
• Working skills in training, teaching, and presenting public health concepts related to disease intervention, preferred.
• Knowledge of and experience with public health data systems. Experience with eHARS, CalREDIE and/or CalConnect preferred.
• Ability to communicate and tailor complex information in a clear and concise manner both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and work independently.
• Experience working with populations disproportionately impacted by HIV and sexually transmitted infections, preferred.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Attention to detail and active listener.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Knowledge of current developments in public health.
• Fluency in spoken and written English.
• Ability to conduct interviews in Spanish, preferred

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree preferred and at least five years of experience in public health, required.
• At least 2 years of experience as a Disease Intervention Specialist in HIV, mpox, or STIs, required.
• Previous experience working in contact tracing, partner services, or outbreak response highly preferred.

Certificates/Licenses/Clearances

• N/A

Other Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

Knowledge of and skilled in the use of Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, Teams, OneNote, and Power Point.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Stand: Frequently
• Walk: Frequently
• Sit: Frequently
• Handling / Fingering: Frequently
• Reach Outward: Occasionally
• Reach Above Shoulder: Occasionally
• Climb, Crawl, Kneel, Bend: Not Applicable
• Lift / Carry: Occasionally - Up to 30 lbs
• Push/Pull: Occasionally - Up to 30 lbs
• See (Vision): Constantly
• Taste/ Smell: Not Applicable

KEY

• Not Applicable = Not required for essential functions
• Occasionally = (0 - 2 hrs/day)
• Frequently = (2+ - 5 hrs/day)
• Constantly = (5+ hrs/day)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This is a remote position based in California. However, the incumbent may be deployed to a local health department within the state as needed to conduct in-person interviews and field investigations. Travel expenses will be reimbursed and requirements will be communicated in advance based on operational needs.

Must have functioning internet access at the remote location.

EEOC STATEMENT

It is the policy of Heluna Health to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants, without regard to age (40 and over), national origin or ancestry, race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, reproductive health decision making, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or a record or history of cancer), AIDS or HIV, genetic information or characteristics, veteran status or military service.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.