Position Overview
The Illinois Department of Public Health is seeking a highly motivated individual to perform theduties as a Public Health Program Specialist 1. Under general supervision, functions as a programspecialist in the statewide communicable disease surveillance program; assesses diseaseincidence statewide and recommends necessary detection and control measures. Providesrecommendations for outbreak control measures to professional program and provider staff.
Job Responsibilities
1. Monitors outbreaks of a variety of communicable infectious diseases.
Coordinates the collection and submission of specimens and cultures.
Reviews test results to assist in isolating the disease source.
Coordinates disease control and suppression measures to minimize a possible threat topublic health.
2. Provides technical consultation to local health department personnel, private health careproviders and private physicians relative to procedures and practices for reporting communicablediseases to appropriate health authorities.
3. Speaks before lay and professional groups interpreting new or revised program requirements.
Explains program reporting requirements to a variety of health care personnel frequently on aone-to-one basis in area of programmatic assignment.
4. Prepares and submits periodic activity reports.
Evaluates and analyzes epidemiological data for further recommendations and issuance ofdisease control measures.
Job Responsibilities (cont)
5. Compiles, reviews, and evaluates epidemiological reports from local health departments todetermine compliance with the Rules and Regulations for the Control of Communicable Diseases.
6. Coordinates local health department efforts for the visiting of schools, clinics, laboratories, anddoctor’s offices to inspect health records as authorized and to further public health rapport relativeto disease incidence reporting.
7. Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of theduties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications
1. Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four years ofcollege with courses in health education, physical and biological sciences.
2. Requires one year of professional experience in a health education or investigation program inthe public or private sector, or completion of an approved training program.
Preferred Qualifications
A master’s degree in public health.
Working knowledge of prevention and control of infectious diseases.
One year experience investigating individual cases of communicable disease, and the abilityto participate in the investigation of outbreaks of communicable disease.
One year experience in the use of computer applications, including Microsoft Office Suiteproducts.
One year experience with the Illinois National Electronic Disease Surveillance System.
Work Hours:
Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Work Location:
525 W Jefferson St Springfield, IL 62702-5056
Agency Contact Email:
DPH.HRApplications@illinois.gov
Phone #:
217-785-2031

About Illinois Department of Public Health

Department Overview In Illinois, if you have eaten at a restaurant, required hospital or nursing home care, vacationed at a campground or swam at a public beach or pool, drank a glass of milk, got married or divorced ,had a baby, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has touched your life in some important way. Assuring the quality of our food, setting the standards for hospital and nursing home care, checking the safety of recreation areas, overseeing the inspection of milk producing farms and processing plants, maintaining the state's vital records and screening newborns for genetic diseases are just some of the duties of IDPH. In fact, IDPH has 200 different programs that benefit each state resident and visitor, although its daily activities of maintaining the public's health are rarely noticed unless a breakdown in the system occurs. With the assistance of local public health agencies, these essential programs and services make up Illinois' public health system, a system that forms a frontline defense against disease through preventive measures and education. Public health has provided the foundation for remarkable gains in saving lives and reducing suffering. ...Today, life expectancy is 80 years for women and 74 years for men compared with fewer than 50 years at the at the beginning of the 20th century. In the past, IDPH directed state efforts to control smallpox, cholera and typhoid, virtually eliminated polio, reduced dental decay through fluoridation of community water supplies, and corrected sanitary conditions that threatened water and food supplies. Today, IDPH has programs to deal with persistent problems that require continued vigilance – infectious diseases, such as AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and meningococcal disease; foodborne and communicable diseases, such as E. coli 0157: H7, monkeypox, salmonella and West Nile virus; vaccine preventable diseases; lead poisoning; lack of health care in rural areas; health disparities among racial groups, breast, cervical and prostate cancer; Alzheimer's disease; and other health threats -- sexually transmitted diseases, tobacco use, violence, and other conditions associated with high-risk behaviors. In addition, IDPH has been charged with handling the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the threat of bioterrorism. IDPH, which is one of the state's oldest agencies, was first organized in 1877 with a staff of three and a two-year budget of $5,000. IDPH, now has an annual budget of $2.9 billion in state and federal funds, headquarters in Springfield and Chicago, seven regional offices located around the state, three laboratories, and 1,200 employees. IDPH is organized into 12 offices, each of which addresses a distinct area of public health. Each office operates and supports numerous ongoing programs and is prepared to respond to extraordinary situations as they arise.

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