Epidemiologist I

The City of New Haven Health Department is seeking a dedicated and analytical Epidemiologist I to join our public health team. In this entry-level professional role, you will help monitor and investigate communicable diseases, analyze health data, support outbreak response efforts, and contribute to programs that improve the health and well-being of New Haven residents.

About the role

This is an entry-level professional position under the administrative direction and supervision of the Program Director of Epidemiology, maintaining surveillance of the health status and disease occurrence in specialized population groups in New Haven.

Responsibilities

• Assists with epidemiological investigations in the event of a disease outbreak or cluster.
• Conducts surveys of disease level or health risk levels in the community.
• Reviews data including case reports, health statistics, demographic information, and laboratory test results to identify possible epidemiological trends, locations, and sources.
• Prepares reports on epidemiological surveys using available surveillance data or by collecting new data as it pertains to acute and chronic diseases.
• Assists with the epidemiologic aspects of Health Department grants and program initiatives.
• Utilizes statistical software to create descriptive statistics or perform simple data analyses.
• Answers general informational questions from the public and medical community regarding disease control.
• Coordinates with other sections in the Department and other City Departments in dealing with specific disease problems and works with higher-grade Epidemiologists to recommend appropriate action.
• Keeps abreast of changes in communicable disease control or impending problems in the City and alerts superiors.
• Receives notification of reportable disease from the medical community and the general public, and follows up as needed.
• Prepares necessary records and reports; initiates appropriate follow-up as needed.
• Works with higher-grade Epidemiologists to provide guidance to high-risk populations as needed.
• Performs other related work as required.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and regulations applied in public health, including public health emergency preparedness and public health surveillance systems (preferred).
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) is desirable.
• Knowledge of the nature and control of communicable diseases.
• Knowledge of the most current concepts of public health practices.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal communicable disease reporting requirements.
• Ability to conduct epidemiological surveys.
• Common knowledge of the cause, transmission, and prevention of COVID-19.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and work cooperatively with professional medical personnel, other department personnel, public officials, and stakeholders.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including active listening and emotional intelligence.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with internal staff, community partners, and other stakeholders.
• Knowledge of modern office practices, procedures, equipment, and software including Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Competency in using email clients (e.g., Outlook, Gmail) and calendar applications for scheduling and managing correspondence.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and maintain confidentiality of data.
• Ability to use computers in carrying out the duties of this position.
• Ability to handle a fast-paced, heavy workload environment and demonstrate excellent public service skills.
• Self-motivated, organized; able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong time management skills including organization, prioritization, and multitasking.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and sensitively in a diverse community, recognizing and respecting cultural differences, and fostering an inclusive environment.

Necessary Special Requirements

• Flexibility of schedule; this position may occasionally require work to be performed outside of the traditional 9-5 schedule.
• Possession of a Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. (CBIC) certification, preferred within 2 years of employment.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Connecticut driver's license.

Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals

• Public Health Sciences: Facilitates and implements the development, implementation, and evaluation of comprehensive public health informatics and quality improvement plans. Provides technical assistance on public health informatics, data collection, and quality assessment.
• Analytical/Assessment Skills: Contributes to community needs assessments, performs data analyses, and creates visual presentations of findings.
• Policy Development/Program Planning Skills: Conducts reviews of evidence related to public health informatics and serves on inter-jurisdictional committees involved in policy development.
• Communication Skills: Delivers targeted, culturally-appropriate information and adheres to ethical principles in data handling.
• Cultural Competencies: Utilizes appropriate methods for interacting effectively with diverse populations.
• Community Dimensions of Practice Skills: Participates in community health improvement strategies and evaluates action plans in partnership with public and private organizations.
• Leadership and Systems Thinking: Collaborates with partners, contributes to quality improvement initiatives, and demonstrates leadership in managing projects.
• Financial Planning and Management: Collaborates in activities contributing to budget development and efficient use of resources.

Physical Requirements

The following physical demands are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job:

Amount of Time Working Environment Amount of Time None Under 1/3 1/3 to 2/3 Over 2/3 Stand X X Wet or humid conditions (non-weather) X X Walk X X Work near moving mechanical parts X X Sit X X Work in high, precarious places X X Use hands to finger, handle, or feel X X Fumes or airborne particles X X Reach with hands and arms X X Toxic or caustic chemicals X X Climb or balance X X Outdoor weather conditions X X Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl X X Talk or hear X X Risk of electrical shock X X Taste or smell X