Vectorborne Diseases Student Worker - Student Worker Para Professional Senior

Join our team of Student Workers within the Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention & Control (IDEPC) Division as a key part of the statewide public health system, dedicated to MDH’s mission: protecting, maintaining and improving the health of all Minnesotans. As a student worker with the Vectorborne Disease Unit, in collaboration with program epidemiologists, you will conduct disease surveillance activities for diseases transmitted by ticks and mosquitoes including Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Powassan virus, West Nile virus, La Crosse encephalitis, and Jamestown Canyon virus. This work includes conducting structured telephone interviews, performing chart reviews, and working on data entry and data management tasks. In addition, students assist with various activities related to field investigations for special cases and routine vector surveillance, as well as epidemiological studies to describe illness and identify risk factors for vectorborne infections.

This vacancy announcement will be used to fill two (2) Student Worker Para Professional positions.

This position will have the option of teleworking; however, it will be based on the business needs of the unit and is at supervisory discretion. In accordance with HR/LR Policy #1422 Telework, this position is eligible for up to 50% telework for applicants who live in Minnesota or in a bordering state within 50 miles of the assigned work location. Candidates residing outside of Minnesota or in a bordering state within 50 miles of the assigned work location at the time of application must be able to relocate to Minnesota within 30 days of their start date. The telework policy may exempt employees who live more than 50 miles from their primary work location from the 50% in-office requirement, depending on job requirements, helping the State of Minnesota access top talent across the state.

This position is part-time and will work 20 hours per week. The specific hours and days of work will vary, Monday through Sunday. This position is anticipated to last until August 31, 2028, or until the selected candidate completes their educational program, whichever occurs sooner.

Minimum Qualifications

The following minimum qualifications must be clearly demonstrated on the applicant’s resume/application:

• Completion of two (2) years of post-secondary education.

Student Worker Eligibility: To be eligible for appointment as a Student Worker Paraprofessional Senior you must be enrolled in a post-secondary or graduate program or plan to enroll within three months. Students may be "off" for the summer or for one semester/quarter and remain employed as a student worker, but such absences cannot exceed one semester/quarter in a year. If you are enrolled at a credit-granting institution, you must carry at least six semester/nine quarter credits. If enrolled at a non-credit granting institution or one that only offers one credit per class, you must be taking two or more classes per semester/quarter. Any lesser credit (class) load will be treated as a semester/quarter off. Graduate students must be enrolled in at least two courses or making progress on a dissertation. You will be asked to complete an Educational Verification form prior to appointment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Able to make a 1-to-2-year commitment.
• Currently accepted or enrolled in a degree-seeking graduate program in epidemiology, environmental health or related public health field.
• Experience and/or strong interest in infectious disease, especially vectorborne diseases.
• Undergraduate degree in biology, zoology, entomology or related field.
• Experience and/or willingness to participate in outdoor field collection activities.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective interpersonal relations with co-workers, supervisors, and health care professionals.

Additional Requirements

This position requires successful completion of a background check and employment reference check.

This employment does not require a valid driver’s license, but it does demand travel, which the candidate will be responsible for meeting.   

Under U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services regulations, the successful candidate must be able to accept work in the U.S. by the day employment begins. This agency is unable to offer H-1B sponsorship.