Epidemiologist

About the role

Joining Customs & Border Protection (CBP) will allow you to serve as the headquarters' technical authority in epidemiology—providing expert consultation and services in the development, implementation, oversight, and evaluation of CBP basic training programs, national-level initiatives, and field operations to reduce the frequency and severity of work and training-related injuries, illnesses, and mishaps and to improve the overall health of the workforce.

Responsibilities

• Provide evidence-based expertise and advice to multiple CBP academy and operational field locations on concepts, techniques, administrative procedures, and practices associated with injury, accidents, infectious disease trends, risk reduction, and workforce health status and changes.
• Analyze data for trends and significant causal relationships regarding work tasks, behaviors, and health practices using statistical evaluation methods such as data analysis, epidemiological modeling, and contact tracing.
• Develop and conduct studies and surveys for academy trainees and staff at various field locations, typically inquiring about injury, exposure, and health risk, with input from CBP and other federal law enforcement administrative and physical training staff as appropriate.
• Provide professional leadership and program direction in administration, practices, education, and research related to epidemiology as an integral component of a national safety and health program.
• Develop standards, safety and health policies, and guidelines concerning the delivery of public health education and services, ensuring conformance with CBP policies, industry standards, and coordination with local management.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service.
• Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years (see residency waiver criteria below).
• All pre-employment processes conducted in English.
• May be required to pass a background investigation.
• Subject to DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan drug testing procedures.
• Must adhere to federal ethics rules and CBP-specific conduct standards, including restrictions on outside employment or business activities without approval.

Residency

Individuals not currently employed by CBP must have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates for at least three of the last five years. Exceptions may be requested if you were abroad for more than two of the last five years due to federal employment, military service, study abroad sponsored by a U.S.-affiliated institution, or work as a contractor, intern, consultant, or volunteer supporting the U.S. government.

Qualifications

Basic Requirement: Bachelor’s or graduate/higher-level degree in an academic field related to the medical field, health sciences, or allied sciences from an institution accredited by a body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained.

Specialized Experience (GS-13): One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level, including:

• Conducting epidemiological research and data analysis to identify trends, risk factors, and causal relationships related to occupational injuries, illnesses, or infectious diseases in a large organization.
• Providing expert consultation and evidence-based recommendations to leadership and operational staff on injury prevention, risk reduction, and workforce health improvement strategies.
• Developing, implementing, or evaluating public health or safety policies, standards, or programs, including design and delivery of training or educational materials.
• Leading or participating in outbreak investigations, surveillance activities, or studies focused on occupational or public health issues, including use of statistical software and epidemiological modeling.
• Preparing comprehensive written reports and delivering oral presentations of findings and recommendations to diverse audiences such as management, staff, or external partners.

Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement; otherwise, you may be found ineligible.

Pay

Salary range: $106,437.00 (GS-13, Step 1) to $138,370.00 (GS-13, Step 10). Locality pay varies by geographic area; if your area is not listed, use the “Rest of United States” pay table. Some positions may fall under special pay rates depending on series, grade, and location.