Epidemiologist II

About the role

Epidemiologist II positions within the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) focus on infectious diseases and notifiable conditions. This role involves leading project management efforts, conducting epidemiological case investigations, developing and maintaining relationships with partners, coordinating training, and participating in public health emergency preparedness and response.

Responsibilities

• (50%) EPIDEMIOLOGY AND SURVEILLANCE:
  • Leads project management efforts to guide the planning, execution, and completion of epidemiological program initiatives.
  • Establishes project goals, objectives, and timelines that align with regional and state public health priorities.
  • Conducts and helps coordinate epidemiological case investigations and disease outbreak response activities.
  • Reviews and interprets laboratory disease reports to confirm reportable conditions meet established case definitions.
  • Creates and disseminates technical reports based on communicable disease surveillance data.
  • Oversees survey instruments and survey components to ensure questions align with program requirements for accurate data compilation and information gathering.
  • Cheks for accuracy obtained from surveillance systems.
  • Works with the Epidemiology Supervisor to develop and implement strategies to improve communicable disease reporting quality, standardization, and timeliness.
  • Organizes team meetings, schedules, trainings, and special projects alongside regional epidemiologist.
• (15%) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE:
  • Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with partners such as local health departments, infection control teams, physicians, laboratories, school nurses, and state agency staff.
  • Facilitates communication among regional partners, providing updates and gathering feedback to ensure shared project goals and objectives are met.
  • Recommends interventions and control measures in response to epidemiological case investigations and public health follow up.
  • Provides accurate, timely and relevant technical information to partners and the public while adhering to required confidentiality standards.
  • Develops tools to identify and promote awareness and understanding of epidemiologic trends related to communicable disease.
  • Evaluates and determines appropriate epidemiologic and laboratory resources to address disease investigations, outbreak response, and surveillance projects.
• (15%) TRAINING AND EDUCATION:
  • Coordinates the planning and delivery of training to improve disease reporting and awareness of public health preparedness initiatives.
  • Develops and coordinates briefing documents, epidemiological articles, fact sheets, technical reports, infographics, brochures, presentations, and other correspondence to communicate training needs results to internal and external stakeholders.
  • Uses computer programs, state databases, syndromic surveillance systems, and statistical software to present information to public health partners.
  • Utilizes project management tools and techniques to streamline learning processes and improve training outcomes.
  • Takes lead role in organization of regional program workshops, trainings and presentations.
• (10%) PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE:
  • Coordinates with program staff in the development of comprehensive epidemiological workplans by outlining goals, objectives, timelines, and required resources for successful project execution.
  • Serves as a member of the Epidemiology Response Team (ERT) and may respond to an all-hazards event, disease outbreak, bioterrorism event, or other public health emergency in PHR 9/10 or elsewhere in Texas.
  • Participates in the 24/7 on-call rotation and provides coverage on holidays, weekends, and after normal business hours as needed.
  • Assists with inventory and storage of response equipment and supplies required to support public health response efforts.
  • Travels within regions 9 & 10 to develop effective relationships and collaboration with stakeholders that support public health preparedness and epidemiology response activities.
• (10%) OTHER DUTIES:
  • Other duties as assigned may include taking part or serving in a support role to help meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation.

Requirements

Must have a Master's or Doctorate advanced degree from an accredited college or university in Infectious Disease, Epidemiology, Statistics, Nursing, Public Health, or related field. Must be able to meet travel requirements (20% day and 10% night).

Qualifications

• Knowledge of Project Management methods.
• Knowledge of contemporary principles of epidemiology.
• Knowledge of the rules, laws and regulations governing the control of notifiable conditions in Texas.
• Knowledge of evidence-based interventions and control measures in response to epidemiologic findings.
• Knowledge of bioterrorism preparedness and response.
• Knowledge of data management and statistical methods.
• Knowledge of medical terminology and laboratory test interpretation.
• Knowledge of educational program development and implementation.
• Skills in use of Project Management tools.
• Skills in word processing, databases, statistical, mapping, and graphic software packages (e.g., EpiInfo, SAS, ArcGIS, Microsoft Office, Qualtrics).
• Skills in writing and editing executive level, technical reports with a concentration in data analysis.
• Skills in creating questionnaires and abstracting data from hospital/medical records.
• Skills in communicating and informing stakeholders about infectious disease issues.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and efficiently.
• Ability to interpret statistical data of epidemiologic and research data for analysis.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work discreetly and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal/external customers.
• Ability to work independently, exercising sound judgment.
• Ability to recognize and identify problems and implement appropriate solutions.
• Ability to travel with short notice.
• Ability to train staff and regional stakeholders.

Skills

• Knowledge of Project Management methods.
• Knowledge of contemporary principles of epidemiology.
• Knowledge of the rules, laws and regulations governing the control of notifiable conditions in Texas.
• Knowledge of evidence-based interventions and control measures in response to epidemiologic findings.
• Knowledge of bioterrorism preparedness and response.
• Knowledge of data management and statistical methods.
• Knowledge of medical terminology and laboratory test interpretation.
• Knowledge of educational program development and implementation.
• Skills in use of Project Management tools.
• Skills in word processing, databases, statistical, mapping, and graphic software packages (e.g., EpiInfo, SAS, ArcGIS, Microsoft Office, Qualtrics).
• Skills in writing and editing executive level, technical reports with a concentration in data analysis.
• Skills in creating questionnaires and abstracting data from hospital/medical records.
• Skills in communicating and informing stakeholders about infectious disease issues.

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).

Pay

$4,523.16 - $5,301.33 per month

Schedule

Day Shift