Zoonosis Epidemiologist

About the role

Under the direction of the PHR 2/3 Regional Zoonosis Control Program Manager/Veterinarian, this position performs moderately complex (journey-level) and comprehensive epidemiological work. The role involves assisting in the design, implementation, and analysis of notifiable conditions surveillance processes, conducting epidemiological investigations or studies, and abstracting epidemiological data from medical records of physicians, veterinarians, and hospitals. The position requires maintaining disease databases and logs, preparing oral and written reports and presentations, and participating in general data management for epidemiological investigations or studies on notifiable conditions.

Responsibilities

• Conducts investigation of human and animal zoonotic disease suspects and laboratory confirmed cases directly or in coordination with local health departments.
• Participates in all aspects of specific epidemiological investigations or studies, including abstracting, reviewing, and interpreting medical information and labs.
• Builds and maintains collaborative relationships with epidemiology and surveillance partners.
• Contacts partners and patients to identify and collect epidemiological data.
• Adheres to procedures and policies pertaining to notifiable disease investigation and documentation, including timely turnaround of investigation and documentation.
• Enters epidemiologic data into and maintains appropriate logs and databases.
• Analyzes data and disseminates the results of investigations and surveillance.
• Prepares reports and presentations.
• Maintains disease surveillance program, including collection and forwarding of specimens, recording results, and analyzing and reporting data.
• Coordinates with and assists the Regional Zoonosis Control Veterinarian with the planning, development, and implementation of regional zoonotic and vector-borne disease surveillance program.
• Obtains patient consent and arranges specimen collection and submission when needed; may label, package and ship specimens, and fill out laboratory submission slips.
• Maintains inventory of surveillance equipment and supplies.
• Provides assistance for epidemiological investigations conducted by outside agencies and organizations.
• Participates in on-call rotation to assure 24/7 availability on holidays, weekends, and after normal work hours.
• Provides complex consultative services and technical assistance to a diverse group of partners and the public on prevention and control of zoonotic diseases.
• Participates in development, planning, implementation, and monitoring programs on a broad range of subjects linked to zoonosis control and public health.
• Assures and assists in the management and distribution of rabies biologicals.
• Provides consultative services to veterinarians, animal control officers, patients, physicians and local health departments concerning risk assessment of rabies exposure incidents and investigations.
• Organizes, conducts, and provides training at Animal Control Officer and other continuing education courses.
• Conducts on-site inspections and reviews of rabies quarantine facilities to determine compliance with state regulations, completing appropriate inspection forms to document findings.
• Evaluates surveillance processes and procedures.
• Provides consultations and technical assistance to animal welfare groups, agricultural and wildlife workers, veterinarians, medical providers, local health departments and other partners regarding zoonotic disease related issues and public health.
• Represents ZCP to internal and external partners.
• Develops, prepares, and distributes technical information to partners.
• Assists in preparation of reports and presents findings to diverse audiences, including children.
• Uses automated mapping systems to summarize and pinpoint disease clusters and complete reports.
• Participates in cross-training on investigation and communication processes.
• Develops awareness materials and tools.
• Disseminates and/or communicates educational courses and materials, training, and presentations as well as awareness materials to stakeholders.
• Coordinates and/or conducts surveillance activities for zoonotic and vector-borne diseases.
• Develops and maintains electronic databases and/or spreadsheets for storage and analysis of regional surveillance data.
• Processes biological specimens and performs diagnostic tests according to proper procedures and infection control techniques.
• Analyzes and monitors surveillance data in relation to program goals and provides input to the Regional Zoonosis Control Veterinarian regarding modification of regional surveillance strategies.
• Prepares reports, presentations, and maps summarizing disease surveillance data.
• Enters surveillance data into statewide databases.
• Participates in disease outbreak responses and follow up.
• Participates, as determined by the PHR 2/3 Regional Zoonosis Control Program Manager/Veterinarian, in statewide field training opportunities and the implementation of the Oral Rabies Vaccination Program.
• Maintains compliance with DSHS Policy, Fleet Operations and Management & Procedures and Standards, and a current valid Texas Driver's License.

Requirements

• Experience in public health work, animal health, epidemiology, infectious diseases, microbiology, biostatistics or other related work relevant to job functions.
• Willing to work on call to include holidays and weekends.
• Willing to travel up to 35% of the time.
• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university preferred.
• Must possess a valid Class C Texas driver’s license, or equivalent license from another state.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

• Knowledge of:
  • the prevention and control of infectious agents.
  • etiology and dynamics of diseases.
  • medical terminology, epidemiology, and public health problems.
  • Texas public health laws, including those that govern the control and reporting of notifiable conditions.
  • basic and natural sciences, and disease vectors statutes and rules administered by the Zoonosis Control Branch; including the Rabies Control Act.
  • educational techniques and procedures.
  • preparedness and response procedures.
• Skill in:
  • using computers and software including word processing, database, spreadsheet, internet, e-mail and graphic software packages such as Word, Access, Excel, Adobe, PowerPoint, GIS.
  • data management and analysis.
  • problem solving.
  • communicating effectively verbally and in writing.
  • preparing technical reports in a clear and concise manner.
  • proofreading and editing documents.
  • basic interpretation of diagnostic laboratory results and information from medical charts.
  • public speaking before professional and lay audiences.
• Ability to:
  • maintain effective working relationships with managers, co-workers, the public and professional groups.
  • interpret public health laws and regulations.
  • communicate effectively to diverse audiences.
  • provide excellent customer service experience.
  • work independently to conduct investigations and maintain confidentiality.
  • organize and prioritize workload and meet deadlines.
  • obtain, handle and process biologic specimens from a variety of environmental conditions.
  • travel independently throughout the State of Texas and out-of-state to complete essential job functions.
  • work in an office-based setting unless a response requires mobile or remote work.
  • meet deadlines and work on multiple projects at the same time.
  • participate fully in on-call schedule.