Epidemiologist II

About the role

The Epidemiologist II works independently under the direction of the Epidemiology Team lead and the supervision of the Assessment, Compliance, and Epidemiology Unit director within the Immunization Section. Plans, develops, initiates, and conducts advanced epidemiological studies and surveys to determine immunization rates and vaccine coverage levels. Performs specialized epidemiological and other evaluation studies related to immunization program activities and vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD). Conducts Immunization Section program reviews and assesses the effectiveness of Unit activities. Identifies methods for increasing immunization program effectiveness and assists with design, implementation, and evaluation of coverage improvement activities. Serves as subject matter expert on school vaccine recommendations as well as the School Immunization Epidemiologist. Assesses vaccination coverage rates and rates of conscientious and medical exemptions from vaccine requirements for school. Conducts the annual school validation survey, analyzes data, and reports on findings. Presents to internal and external stakeholders on a variety of immunization topics.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates programs by analyzing program data, operations, and outcomes.
• Contributes to the design, implementation, and evaluation of program activities.
• Serves as subject matter expert for school vaccine recommendations as the School Immunization Epidemiologist.
• Assesses vaccination coverage rates and rates of conscientious and medical exemptions from vaccine requirements for school.
• Contributes to immunization policy development, including analyzing and interpreting vaccine coverage and VPD data.
• Presents on vaccines, immunization recommendations, and coverage rates to internal and external stakeholders.
• Responds by telephone or in writing to requests for data from private and public agencies, health professionals, media organizations and the public.
• Assists the Infectious Disease Prevention Section during VPD outbreaks.
• Performs epidemiological studies, advanced data analyses, and investigative work related to immunization program activities and VPDs.
• Analyzes and provides interpretation of data using standard and complex statistical measures and determines appropriate statistical methods (e.g., calculations of rates, generation of projections and estimates, regression and trends analyses).
• Provides technical advice and guidance on epidemiological survey design and data analysis methods.

Requirements

Initial Screening: A master’s degree with a focus in epidemiology, biostatistics, or related field and at least 1 year of work experience in epidemiology or data analysis (work experience at a public health agency is preferred) OR An undergraduate degree in public health, biostatistics, biological sciences supplemented, or a related field with 2 or more years of epidemiology or data analysis (work experience at a public health agency is preferred).

Qualifications

• Knowledge of immunizations
• Knowledge of database management
• Knowledge of data/statistical analyses
• Knowledge of program evaluation
• Knowledge of epidemiological methods
• Knowledge of health promotion
• Knowledge of the natural history of vaccine-preventable diseases.
• Skills in the use of software relevant to database management and statistical and epidemiological analyses (SAS, SQL, Tableau, GIS, R, and/or SPSS)
• Skills in Microsoft Office products.
• Ability to establish goals and objectives
• Ability to evaluate policies and procedures
• Ability to assimilate technical concepts and to communicate effectively in an easily understood format both orally and in writing
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Ability to work in teams.

Skills

• Knowledge of immunizations
• Knowledge of database management
• Knowledge of data/statistical analyses
• Knowledge of program evaluation
• Knowledge of epidemiological methods
• Knowledge of health promotion
• Knowledge of the natural history of vaccine-preventable diseases.
• Skills in the use of software relevant to database management and statistical and epidemiological analyses (SAS, SQL, Tableau, GIS, R, and/or SPSS)
• Skills in Microsoft Office products.

Benefits

Employee Benefits DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS). To learn more about all the benefits available to you as a DSHS employee and other DSHS opportunities for early career pathways, visit the DSHS Careers Page. Review our Top 10 Tips for Success when Applying to State of Texas Jobs.

Pay

Salary Range: $4,523.16 - $5,888.50

Schedule

Pay Frequency: Monthly

Facility Location

Job Location City: AUSTIN

Job Location Address

1100 W 49TH ST (DHT)

Other Locations

MOS Codes: 230X,43EX,43HX,43TX,4E0X1,61G,HM,SEI12