Working Title: FWVZD Student Worker - Student Worker Para-Professional Senior
Job Class: Student Worker Para-Professional Senior
Agency: Health Department
Job ID : 90259
Location : St. Paul
Telework Eligible : No
Full/Part Time : Part-Time
Regular/Temporary : Temporary
Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers
Date Posted : 11/26/2025
Closing Date : 12/03/2025
Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Health Department
Division/Unit : Health Protection / IDEPC FWVZD
Work Shift/Work Hours : Rotating Day Shift / Evening hours
Days of Work : Monday - Friday / Rotating weekends
Travel Required : No
Salary Range: $19.85 - $23.61 / hourly
Classified Status : Unclassified
Bargaining Unit/Union : 207 - American Federation of State, County, & Municipal Employees (AFSCME Technical, Council No. 5)
Work Area : Department of Health
End Date : 09/30/2027
Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : No
The work you'll do is more than just a job.
At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is seeking multiple Student Workers to support the Foodborne Waterborne, Vectorborne, Zoonotic Diseases Section (FWVZD) within the IDEPC Division. When applying, please specify which unit or units you are interested in working for.
Foodborne Diseases Unit Student Workers will conduct surveillance activities for pathogens such as Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, Escherichia coli O157:H7 infections, other Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infections, and other reportable diseases under the direction of the epidemiologists. Primary responsibilities include: Assist in epidemiological investigations of outbreaks of communicable disease, participate in data collection through structured telephone interviews, provide data management in epidemiological studies to describe illness and sequelae and identify risk factors for infections caused by the pathogens, and assist in other infectious disease areas.
Vectorborne Diseases Unit Student Workers will conduct disease surveillance activities for diseases transmitted by tick and mosquitos 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.
Zoonotic Diseases Unit Student Workers will primarily support either the Unexplained Critical Illnesses and Deaths (UNEX) program surveillance programs or the fungal diseases surveillance programs. Both will also assist with zoonotic diseases surveillance programs which include rabies, enteric pathogens from animals, toxoplasmosis, tularemia, brucellosis and other diseases. Student Workers will execute the day-to-day components of these surveillance programs, including telephone interviews of case-patients, data entry and management, specimen collection, data analysis and participating in outbreak investigations and other projects. Additionally, this position will provide rabies consultation to the public and healthcare providers.
This vacancy announcement will be used to fill multiple Student Worker Para-Professional Senior positions. These positions are part-time and will work 20 hours per week. The specific hours and days of work are flexible around the student's class schedule. A limited number of hours per week will be required on evenings and weekends. Work will primarily be conducted in-person in St. Paul. These temporary positions are expected to end by September 30, 2027, or until the selected candidate completes their educational program, whichever occurs sooner.
Minimum Qualifications
Completion of two years of post-secondary education in one of the following areas: Epidemiology, Environmental Health, or a related public health field.
Currently accepted or enrolled in a degree-seeking graduate program (MPH, MS) in Epidemiology, Environmental Health, or a related public health field.
Additional minimum qualifications to be assessed during the interview:
Excellent communication skills, including the ability to communicate in a clear, concise, effective manner.
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
Preferred Qualifications for All Units
Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing with members of the public and health care professionals.
Ability to develop and maintain effective interpersonal relations with co-workers, supervisors, and health care professionals.
Critical thinking skills and judgement.
Ability to prioritize tasks, manage time, adapt to change, collect and enter data, and pay attention to details.
Able to make a 1-to-2-year commitment
Additional Preferred Qualifications for Foodborne Diseases Unit
Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.
Additional Preferred Qualifications for Vectorborne Diseases Unit
Undergraduate degree in biology, zoology, entomology or related field.
Experience and/or strong interest in infectious disease, especially vectorborne diseases.
Willing to participate in outdoor field work, collecting ticks and/or mosquitoes.
Additional Preferred Qualifications for Zoonotic Diseases Unit
Undergraduate degree in public health, biology, animal or veterinary science, zoology, or other science or medical related field.
Knowledge of zoonotic diseases and One Health Concept.
Career goals in applied infectious disease epidemiology.
Previous exposure to medical terminology, diagnostic testing methods and/or medical record abstraction.
Experience with human-animal interactions, such as agricultural background, participation in 4-H/FFA, shelter volunteer, or working directly with animals.
Additional Requirements
This position requires successful completion of a background and employment reference check.
Prior to appointment, candidate must complete an Education Verification Form.
The successful candidate under U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations must be able to accept work in the U.S. by the day employment begins. The agency is unable to offer H-!B sponsorship.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.
Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us . Please indicate what assistance is needed.
