ABOLISHED 03/05/2015 PER PAY LETTER 15-11A - Epidemiologic Interviewer Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established May 9, 1973

Scope

This series specification describes two Epidemiologic Interviewer classes used in the Department of Health Services. Incumbents in these classes perform sensitive, personal interviews in hospitals, clinics, home settings, or other facilities and collect data for use in epidemiologic research on personal, health, and environmental characteristics which may relate to disease or other health problems in the population. These classes have direct contact with physicians, hospital administrators and other professional and technical personnel in the health field. Incumbents may summarize, review, and code collected data.

Factors Affecting Position Allocation

Sensitivity of contacts, supervisory responsibility, and complexity of duties.

Definition of Levels

Epidemiologic Interviewer I

This is the working level in this series. Under general supervision, contacts sources and conducts personal interviews to obtain epidemiologic data; contacts other workers in the health field; may summarize and code collected survey data; may review source documents and abstract data; may make arrangements with physicians for obtaining laboratory specimens.

Epidemiologic Interviewer II

This is the working supervisory level of the series. Under direction, supervises and trains at least two Epidemiologic Interviewers I; contacts the more difficult sources to obtain permission to interview subjects; personally deals with the more difficult interviewing situations; edits questionnaires for completeness; may review and code survey information; assists in compiling data and in preparing reports; assumes responsibility for the confidentiality of data; accountability of interviews and quality of information.

Minimum Qualifications

Epidemiologic Interviewer I

Experience: Either

1. One year of interviewing experience in a major epidemiologic research study; or

2. Two years of interviewing experience in a public health setting or in a closely related field such as biology, psychology, sociology or anthropology. and Education: Equivalent to completion of at least 30 semester units of college level academic education in a curriculum leading to a degree in the field of social or biological sciences.

Epidemiologic Interviewer II

Either I

One year of experience in the California state service performing the duties of an Epidemiologic Interviewer I.

Or II

Experience: Either

1. Two years of interviewing experience in a major epidemiologic research study; or

2. Three years of interviewing experience in a public health setting or in a closely related field such as biology, psychology, sociology or anthropology, one year of which must have included supervision of at least two interviewers. and Education: Equivalent to completion of at least 30 semester units of college level academic education in a curriculum leading to a degree in the field of social biological sciences.

Knowledge and Abilities

All Levels:

Knowledge of: Interviewing techniques; terminology used in public health and epidemiologic studies; familiarity with record systems and operational procedures used in such institutions as hospitals, clinics, government agencies and industry.

Ability to: Contact and effectively communicate with study subjects and professional personnel; establish and maintain cooperative and tactful relationships; plan and organize work.

At either level, fluency in a language other than English, such as Chinese, Japanese, or Spanish may be required in some assignments.

Eipdemiologic Interviewer II

Knowledge of: All of the above, and Department's Affirmative Action Program objectives; a manager's role in the Affirmative Action Program and the processes available to meet affirmative action objectives.

Ability to: In addition to the above, to supervise and train a team of interviewers and to interview more difficult subjects; and effectively contribute to the Department's affirmative action objectives.

Special Personal Characteristics

All Levels:

Tact, neat personal appearance; willingness to travel and work irregular hours; and possession of a valid driver's license. Applicants who do not possess this license will be admitted to the examination but must secure the license prior to appointment.

Class History