Mecklenburg County
Public Health Investigator
Mecklenburg County, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States, 28245
Public Health Investigator
“FollowYourCalling, FindYourCareer”
Hiring Range:$52,132 - $68,423.25
This is an exempt (salaried) position. Pay rates are based on education, skill, experience level and internal equity. Internal equity consideration included an assessment of the applicant’s salary history and qualifications in comparison to the market rate and requirement for the job.
This role is on-site 5 days a week, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
This is a Grant Funded Position through February 28, 2026, with renewal options based on available funding.
About Us At Mecklenburg County, you’ll have the chance to build a career as unique as you are with support, inclusive culture and technology to become the best version of you. We’re counting on YOUR unique voice and perspective to help Mecklenburg County Public Health become even better, too. Join us and build an exceptional experience for yourself, and a healthier world for all. As a member of the Mecklenburg County Public Health team, you will become a subject matter expert in the public health field. The CDC foundation explains that “Public health is the science of protecting and improving the health of people and their communities. This work is achieved by promoting health lifestyles, researching disease and injury prevention, detecting, preventing, and responding to infectious disease”. Come be a part of Mecklenburg County’s Public Health department’s vision to “assure the health and safety of our diverse and changing community today and for future generations.
POSITION SUMMARY Incumbents perform duties related to controlling the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, HIV infection, and other public health risks within Mecklenburg County. Duties include: conducting personal interviews to obtain case-related information; educating clients regarding the disease process, treatment, prevention and legal requirements; and analyzing epidemiological information to determine the need and priority for follow-up activities.
The Linkage to Care Specialist works with individuals who have tested positive for sexually transmitted infections, HIV, and/or Hepatitis C and who would benefit from assistance in navigating healthcare systems. The incumbent possesses the basic knowledge of disease transmission and progression and has an extensive knowledge of community agencies and resources. The mission is to link the client with needed services, empower the client in navigating systems, enhancing self-advocacy, and promoting self-sufficiency in meeting the client's needs.
The Linkage to Care Specialist works one-on-one with individuals in a variety of settings, identifies client needs, develops strategies with the client to address those needs, and advocates for the client during interactions with healthcare providers.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Locate, notify and counsel clients about positive laboratory test results
Educates clients on U=U and the importance of achieving viral suppression.
Assist clients with developing a plan for medication adherence
Facilitates communication between the patient, family members and healthcare provider to ensure patient satisfaction and quality of care as needed.
Interview clients with abnormal laboratory test results to provide information, risk reduction planning and to notify them of treatment recommendations
Refer clients with abnormal laboratory test results to appropriate medical services
Arranges for and ensure testing, treatment as needed
Documents client interactions using an electronic medical records system
Provides monthly reports of activities
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Experience :
Two years of related public health experience
Education :
Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Microbiology, or a related field
Combination of relevant education and relevant experience accepted? Yes
Licenses and Certifications Valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver’s License. Must obtain and maintain a valid Mecklenburg County Vehicle Operator’s Permit.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience with motivational interviewing
Bilingual (English and Spanish)
History of working with diverse populations
History of working with clients who may experience low health literacy
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES Knowledge of:
Principles and practices of public health
Local resources and services
The disease concept of addiction, stages of alcoholism and drug addiction
Person-centered planning.
Skilled in:
Client interviewing, disease management, and client centered counseling
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Basic computer programs, word processing, and data entry, and job specific software
Abilities :
Communication – Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the message.
Collaboration – Working effectively and cooperatively with others; establishing and maintaining good working relationships.
Applied Learning – Assimilating and applying new job-related information in a timely manner.
Leveraging Diversity – Working effectively with individuals of diverse cultures, interpersonal styles, abilities, motivations, or backgrounds; making the most effective use of the capabilities, insights and ideas of all individuals.
Patient Education/Health Promotion – Supporting, explaining, and instructing patient and patient’s family in understanding the clinical procedures and equipment used to facilitate optimum health status; promoting the lifestyle changes required of the patient and the patient’s family to achieve optimum health status.
WORK ENVIRONMENT Moderate noise is typical for the work environment for this job. May work irregular hours. May be subject to outdoor weather conditions.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS STATEMENT To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Disclaimer Statement
This is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements or working conditions. Other duties may be assigned based on business need and the supervisor’s request. Mecklenburg County reserves the right to revise the job description at any time. Designated positions may be required to assist in emergency and/or disaster situations.
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Hiring Range:$52,132 - $68,423.25
This is an exempt (salaried) position. Pay rates are based on education, skill, experience level and internal equity. Internal equity consideration included an assessment of the applicant’s salary history and qualifications in comparison to the market rate and requirement for the job.
This role is on-site 5 days a week, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
This is a Grant Funded Position through February 28, 2026, with renewal options based on available funding.
About Us At Mecklenburg County, you’ll have the chance to build a career as unique as you are with support, inclusive culture and technology to become the best version of you. We’re counting on YOUR unique voice and perspective to help Mecklenburg County Public Health become even better, too. Join us and build an exceptional experience for yourself, and a healthier world for all. As a member of the Mecklenburg County Public Health team, you will become a subject matter expert in the public health field. The CDC foundation explains that “Public health is the science of protecting and improving the health of people and their communities. This work is achieved by promoting health lifestyles, researching disease and injury prevention, detecting, preventing, and responding to infectious disease”. Come be a part of Mecklenburg County’s Public Health department’s vision to “assure the health and safety of our diverse and changing community today and for future generations.
POSITION SUMMARY Incumbents perform duties related to controlling the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, HIV infection, and other public health risks within Mecklenburg County. Duties include: conducting personal interviews to obtain case-related information; educating clients regarding the disease process, treatment, prevention and legal requirements; and analyzing epidemiological information to determine the need and priority for follow-up activities.
The Linkage to Care Specialist works with individuals who have tested positive for sexually transmitted infections, HIV, and/or Hepatitis C and who would benefit from assistance in navigating healthcare systems. The incumbent possesses the basic knowledge of disease transmission and progression and has an extensive knowledge of community agencies and resources. The mission is to link the client with needed services, empower the client in navigating systems, enhancing self-advocacy, and promoting self-sufficiency in meeting the client's needs.
The Linkage to Care Specialist works one-on-one with individuals in a variety of settings, identifies client needs, develops strategies with the client to address those needs, and advocates for the client during interactions with healthcare providers.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Locate, notify and counsel clients about positive laboratory test results
Educates clients on U=U and the importance of achieving viral suppression.
Assist clients with developing a plan for medication adherence
Facilitates communication between the patient, family members and healthcare provider to ensure patient satisfaction and quality of care as needed.
Interview clients with abnormal laboratory test results to provide information, risk reduction planning and to notify them of treatment recommendations
Refer clients with abnormal laboratory test results to appropriate medical services
Arranges for and ensure testing, treatment as needed
Documents client interactions using an electronic medical records system
Provides monthly reports of activities
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Experience :
Two years of related public health experience
Education :
Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Microbiology, or a related field
Combination of relevant education and relevant experience accepted? Yes
Licenses and Certifications Valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver’s License. Must obtain and maintain a valid Mecklenburg County Vehicle Operator’s Permit.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience with motivational interviewing
Bilingual (English and Spanish)
History of working with diverse populations
History of working with clients who may experience low health literacy
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES Knowledge of:
Principles and practices of public health
Local resources and services
The disease concept of addiction, stages of alcoholism and drug addiction
Person-centered planning.
Skilled in:
Client interviewing, disease management, and client centered counseling
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Basic computer programs, word processing, and data entry, and job specific software
Abilities :
Communication – Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the message.
Collaboration – Working effectively and cooperatively with others; establishing and maintaining good working relationships.
Applied Learning – Assimilating and applying new job-related information in a timely manner.
Leveraging Diversity – Working effectively with individuals of diverse cultures, interpersonal styles, abilities, motivations, or backgrounds; making the most effective use of the capabilities, insights and ideas of all individuals.
Patient Education/Health Promotion – Supporting, explaining, and instructing patient and patient’s family in understanding the clinical procedures and equipment used to facilitate optimum health status; promoting the lifestyle changes required of the patient and the patient’s family to achieve optimum health status.
WORK ENVIRONMENT Moderate noise is typical for the work environment for this job. May work irregular hours. May be subject to outdoor weather conditions.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS STATEMENT To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Disclaimer Statement
This is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements or working conditions. Other duties may be assigned based on business need and the supervisor’s request. Mecklenburg County reserves the right to revise the job description at any time. Designated positions may be required to assist in emergency and/or disaster situations.
#J-18808-Ljbffr