Epidemiology and Surveillance Manager

Job Overview

Under supervision of the Tuberculosis (TB) and Hansen's Disease Section Director, performs highly complex managerial work administering the daily operations of the TB and Hansen's Disease Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch. Work involves establishing and achieving goals and objectives; developing guidelines, schedules, priorities, and standards for achieving established goals; coordinating and evaluating activities within the program. Effectively supervise program staff and foster a work environment that promotes teamwork, competency, and a highly skilled workforce within the Branch. Provide clear directions and guidance to each team. Work with the Section, DSHS laboratory, including regional and local health department management staff to ensure a system of surveillance and reporting are maintained to accurately determine the impact of tuberculosis and Hansen’s disease in Texas. Serve as the Section’s subject matter expert in the development of electronic data software applications. Participate in completing division assignments including legislative requests.

Essential Responsibilities

• Plan, assign, and supervise the work of the TB Epidemiology and Surveillance staff: hire, manage, and develop staff through mentoring, training, and performance appraisals; identify training needs; develop work performance plans; conduct annual performance evaluations; provide clear direction on responsibilities and expectations; review and approve leave; disseminate information and management decisions; post vacant positions, conduct interviews, and select and hire staff.
• Direct, coordinate, and evaluate the daily operations of the TB Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch: establish goals and objectives aligned with Section priorities; develop and maintain standards of operation; create team workflows; identify gaps and opportunities for improvement; ensure optimal staff performance; demonstrate proficiency in epidemiology concepts, data analysis, and surveillance strategies; serve as subject matter expert on TB; hold routine team meetings; oversee special investigations, program analyses, research studies, and internal audits; coordinate airline investigations, cluster outbreaks, false‑positive investigations, mortality events, school and environmental exposures; lead research studies on TB and Hansen’s disease.
• Maintain a competent TB and HD workforce statewide: develop and maintain trainings and related materials; organize conferences, seminars, webinars, and video training opportunities; update publications, standards of care, and other materials; engage in research to highlight program performance; set standards for auditing epidemiology practices among funded local health departments and public health regions; participate in or assign epidemiologists for program audits.
• Participate in program collaboration and service integration activities: work across program areas and external groups—including Laboratory Services Mycobacteriology Branch, Pharmacy Branch, correctional entities, CDC, Heartland National TB Center, regional health operations, and local health departments—to support overall TB and Hansen’s disease functions.
• Oversee implementation of changes resulting from new legislation in data applications: serve as program lead with the Public Health Informatics Team to develop surveillance data applications; act as subject matter expert in discovery sessions with vendors, IT teams, and epidemiology leads; develop technical specifications; manage data migration; complete project assignments as directed by the DSHS project manager.
• Participate in responding to division requests: perform highly complex epidemiological data analysis using SAS and SAS VIYA; produce quarterly legislative budget board performance measures; conduct additional complex data analysis using Excel, SAS, or SAS VIYA; complete legislative requests; represent the Section director at meetings; serve as acting Section director as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned, including participation in disaster response, recovery, or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation, which may require alternate shift patterns or locations.

Licensure, Certification, or Registration

Valid and current Texas driver’s license.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations related to epidemiology, surveillance, and program management.
• Thorough knowledge of the basic principles and methods of epidemiology.
• Thorough knowledge of biostatistics as applied to epidemiology.
• Thorough knowledge of methods to control tuberculosis and other communicable diseases.
• Thorough knowledge of the application of computers to the analysis and management of epidemiological data.
• Thorough knowledge of departmental rules, regulations, and policies.
• Thorough knowledge of transmission of infectious diseases and related pathologic processes.
• Knowledge of relevant laws such as HIPAA and data‑privacy regulations.
• Some knowledge of training and supervisory techniques.
• Some knowledge of equal employment opportunity policies and procedures.
• Ability to manage a public health program.
• Ability to think critically and make data‑driven decisions under pressure.
• Ability to plan, develop, and coordinate field operations.
• Ability to manage program activities and establish goals and objectives.
• Ability to develop and assess performance measures.
• Ability to devise solutions to administrative problems.
• Ability to develop and evaluate administrative policies and procedures.
• Ability to prepare concise reports.
• Ability to plan, assign, supervise, and evaluate the work of others.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Ability to facilitate and work in a team environment.
• Ability to adhere to agency and program standards.
• Skill in analyzing large datasets and applying statistical methods to interpret public health data.
• Skill in using epidemiologic software such as SAS and SAS‑VIYA for statistical analysis and data management.
• Skill in communicating effectively both orally and in writing.
• Skill in effective prioritization of multiple work assignments.
• Skill in developing and implementing program planning.
• Skill in public speaking.
• Skill in developing presentations for diverse audiences.
• Skill in team building.
• Skill in Microsoft Excel, Access, Word, and PowerPoint.

Additional Information

• Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S