NHBS Interviewer (Disease Research & Intervention Specialist)

Full Job Description

The HIV/STI/HCV Program is seeking to hire a team of Interviewers to conduct structured interviews, conduct HIV testing, and provide sexual health information and referrals for the Seattle site of the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System (NHBS) locally known as the PITCH Study. NHBS was implemented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2004 to monitor behaviors in populations that may be at increased risk for HIV acquisition and/or transmission. The core populations of interest include men who have sex with men (MSM), people who inject drugs (PWID), people at increased risk for HIV through heterosexual contact (HET), and women of transgender experience and trans-feminine people (WTE/TFP). The 2026 survey will focus on MSM. Findings from NHBS are used to enhance the understanding of HIV prevalence, risk and testing behaviors in these groups, and to develop and evaluate HIV prevention programs.

PITCH Study interviewers/testers will be conducting field operations in multiple venues across King County. Hours vary and will include evenings and weekends. The PITCH Study is scheduled to conduct data collection in June 2026 through November 2026. Orientation and training typically start 2-3 weeks before data collection; there are usually a limited amount of post-data collection field activities.

Commitment To Equity and Social Justice:

Named after Dr.

Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world.

It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.

The county government has a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities.

With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from all communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.

We recognize that structural racism consists of principles and practices that cause and justify an inequitable distribution of rights, opportunities, and experiences across racial groups.

Since declaring Racism is a Public Health Crisis in June 2020, King County and Public Health committed to being intentionally anti-racist and accountable to Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities.

To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/equity-social-justice.aspx

Requirements

• Screen potential participants for eligibility and obtain informed consent
• Conduct in-depth, standardized surveys with study participants
• Provide HIV testing via capillary (fingerstick)
• Provide sexual health information, counseling, referrals, and resources
• Complete and record detailed data
• Prepare and maintain interview materials and supplies
• Participate in NHBS trainings and required Public Health and CDC trainings
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Required:

• Ability to establish rapport with diverse groups of people with varied lived experiences in a non-judgmental manner
• Ability to strictly adhere to detailed survey protocols
• Ability to comply with strict protocols for confidentiality and anonymity
• Enthusiasm for and ability to approach strangers and quickly build connection and rapport
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability to learn NHBS specific computer applications and survey protocols
• Valid BLS/CPR certification or ability to obtain upon hire

Desired:

• Experience in fingerstick, &/or venipuncture or phlebotomy skills
• Experience in providing HIV/STI/HCV testing
• Experience in conducting standardized surveys and research studies
• Experience working with marginalized subpopulations such as people who inject drugs, sex workers, previously incarcerated, immigrant communities, etc.
• Knowledge of HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases
• Ability to recruit participants and conduct standardized interviews in Spanish (this is not required for all positions)
• Knowledge and experience with harm reduction principles
• Knowledge and experience with de-escalation strategies and crisis intervention

Additional Information

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce.

To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity.

Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards.

We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class.

Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully.

If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:

• NEOGOV Job Application (The responses on your job application should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• Supplemental Questions (The responses to the supplemental questions should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)

Please note: Cover letters, resumes, and additional attachments will not be reviewed as part of the evaluation process if not outlined as a required application material as outlined above.

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application.

Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.

Necessary Special Requirements

• The selection process may include evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience.
• The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of Basic Life Support (BLS) / CPR
• The selected candidate must be able to pass a thorough background investigation, but findings may not necessarily disqualify an applicant for employment.
• For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring. For tips on interviewing, please visit https://www.kingcounty.gov/~/media/audience/employees/learning-and-development/Interview_Tips.ashx?la=en.
• Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
• Public Health relies on office automation (Microsoft Office) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.
• Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing their mandatory trainings on time and obtaining required immunizations.
• Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.

When Public Health responds to an emergency, and in accordance with relevant CBA language and/or KC policy and procedures, we may assign duties outside your regular job description.

This may involve responding at any time, including nights and weekends, with possible deployment to locations other than the department.

• If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Work Schedule

This position can work any day of the week for a 4-6-hour day. Hours vary depending on project needs.
Subject to change dependent on needs of project.

Work Location

The base location for this position is at Chinook, 401 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104. This position is mobile and field activities are conducted out of outreach van.

Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

Union Membership

This position is represented by WSCCCE L21 - Labor Union.

Contact

For questions about this recruitment, please contact Sarah Dunkinson (sdunkinson@kingcounty.gov).