TAHC - Temporary Program Specialist - Ectoparasite

About the role

Performs highly complex (senior-level) consultative services, technical assistance, research, and field work as it relates to ectoparasite response (i.e. New World Screwworm) and the prevention and control of vector-borne diseases.

Responsibilities

• Collaborates with staff on conducting epidemiological field investigations for suspected and confirmed screwworm cases, including case identification, contact tracing, exposure assessment, and transmission pathway analysis.
• Collaborates with staff to design and implement surveillance systems for ongoing monitoring of new world screwworms, including data management strategies.
• Conducts statistical and epidemiological analyses to identify and document spread, assess risk factors, and generate models for geographic progression.
• Prepares detailed epidemiological reports and situation assessments for executive leadership, veterinarians, and external partners as needed, including disease timeline, transmission networks, and case summaries.
• Evaluates effectiveness of control measures and response interventions through epidemiological analysis of case trends, outcomes, and surveillance data.
• Develops and modifies surveillance and response protocols based on real-time epidemiological findings and evolving outbreak scenarios.
• Collaborates with laboratory partners to ensure appropriate specimen collection, transport, and diagnostic support for outbreak investigations.
• Provides advice and guidance regarding epidemiological information to emergency coordinators regarding quarantine zones, movement restrictions, and containment area determination.
• Maintains epidemiological databases and information systems for recording case details, geographic location, animal demographics, clinical findings, and investigation outcomes.
• Participates in national and international disease surveillance information sharing networks and reporting systems.
• Reviews epidemiology operations for communicating data and information to executive leadership, veterinarians, and external partners, etc.
• May assist with containment and eradication activities, including sterile insect technique (SIT) coordination, quarantine enforcement, and movement restrictions for emergency management.

Requirements

• Masters Degree, PhD, MD, OR DVM in Public Health, Veterinary Epidemiology, Science or related field OR equivalent certification in Public Health (CPH) by National Board of Public Health Examiners.
• Three (3) years experience in the field of epidemiology, eterinary disease surveillance, and/or veterinary regulatory/foreign animal disease control and prevention.
• Experience investigating infectious disease outbreaks in livestock or wildlife populations.

Qualifications

• Education and experience may be substituted for one another on a year-for-year basis.

Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws related to the program area; public administration techniques; training and marketing techniques; and program management processes and techniques.
• Skill in identifying measures or indicators of program performance and in the use of a computer and applicable software.
• Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts; to devise solutions to problems; to market programs; to prepare reports; to develop, evaluate, and interpret policies and procedures; and to communicate effectively.
• Knowledge of management techniques; statistical analysis processes; budget processes; and research techniques.
• Ability to provide guidance to others.

Other Requirements

• Must have a valid Texas drivers license and safe driving record.
• Employment of selected candidate is contingent upon the receipt of an acceptable criminal background check and an acceptable moving violation record from the Texas Department of Public Safety.
• Must have reliable transportation.
• Mileage reimbursed at current allowance rate.
• At time of hire, selected applicants must show proof of eligibility to work in the U.S. in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act.
• Proof of eligibility to work in the U.S. will be confirmed using E-Verify.
• All males who are age 18 through 25 and required to register with the Selective Service must present proof of registration or exemption from registration upon hire.