Epidemiologist $50/hr

The Epidemiologist is responsible for investigating patternsand causes of disease and injury. Typically, the Epidemiologist works in an office and/or laboratorysetting within state/local government health departments, hospitals and/oruniversities.  The epidemiologist isresponsible for design, implementation, and analysis of epidemiologicalinvestigations or studies and participating in general data management andreport writing for epidemiological investigations or studies. 

50/hour Local Pay Rate

M-F Days 

Position Summary

This position is responsible for supporting required activities performed by Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response (IDPR) related to infectious disease and outbreak investigation, epidemiologic and analytic investigation, and prevention and control of infectious disease. This position will assist in maintaining epidemiologist on-call operations; collect epidemiologic data; analyze epidemiologic data on infectious diseases to determine changes in incidence of disease; summarize epidemiologic data to prepare status reports; participate in the design of survey tools used during outbreak response and other disease investigations; prepare technical reports, articles, presentations, and summaries of analytic findings. Positions in this job family are assigned responsibilities involving the surveillance, investigation, and evaluation of communicable and/or emerging infectious diseases and assists in the planning and implementation of epidemiological programs to prevent and control infectious diseases.

Position Responsibilities /Essential Functions

·       Provides consultation to health care professionals, community organizations, and others on specific infectious disease conditions through a 24/7 on-call service.

·       Collaborates with public health lab partners regarding testing coordination and results dissemination related to timely public health interventions.

·       Participates in research activities, unique investigations, and descriptive and analytic studies relating to specific diseases; interprets results and adapts to epidemiology programs and related programs.

·       Prepares technical reports and participates in grant writing activities.

·       Determines and utilizes appropriate statistical methods to evaluate and interpret data.

·       Interpret data to determine risks from exposure to biological agents.

·       Design and implement epidemiological studies and surveillance systems.

Epidemiologist II –

·       Prepares scientific articles;

·       Lectures for various organizations on infectious disease topics;

·       Educates partners by providing training to internal, county-level, and external partners;

·       Prepares educational materials for public distribution

·       Serves as lead epidemiologist in outbreak investigations with assistance as needed from senior epidemiologists or program manager;

·       Assists with gathering information for media requests and developing press releases

Other Duties

·       Demonstrates knowledge of and supports mission, vision, value statements, standards, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality standards, and the code of ethical behavior.

·       Works effectively in team environment, participating and assisting their peers.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Education and Experience

Epidemiologist I – Requirements consist of a Master of Science or Master of Public Health degree with an emphasis on epidemiology, biostatistics, biological, medical, or health science. The following courses are strongly preferred 6 semester hours in epidemiological methods and 6 semester hours of other epidemiological coursework and 9 semester hours in statistical methods and analysis.

Epidemiologist II – Epidemiologist I requirements plus a minimum of two years’ experience in a field involving the use of epidemiological research, investigation, and analysis; or a doctorate in epidemiology.

Valued Knowledge, skills and abilities

Epidemiologist I (Entry Level – Basic Knowledge and Ability)

Knowledge of epidemiology methods, human biology, laboratory methods, parasitology, toxicology, immunology, pathology, medical terminology, statistical analysis, biometry, demography, epidemiological or statistical software, social and economic conditions, and current epidemiological developments and techniques.  Ability is required to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; to gain and maintain trust of the public and professionals who consult with IDPR on infectious disease topics, especially during difficult and complicated situations; to train partners on infectious disease topics; to write technical and non-technical informational material; and to use a personal computer and applicable software. Ability is required to manipulate large databases and perform QA analyses.

Knowledge of diagnostic laboratory methods and medical microbiology is strongly preferred. 

Epidemiologist II

Intermediate knowledge and ability in all the above. Develop and implement intervention and prevention strategies as identified through data analysis and the ability to interact with individuals from diverse racial/ethnic/cultural/educational backgrounds is strongly preferred.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Work is typically performed in an office setting with a climate-controlled settings and exposure to moderate noise level or by telework. While performing the duties of the job, employee is required to talk, stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. This position requires long period of sitting and daily use of computer and phone.  Applicants must be willing to perform all job-related travel associated with this position. Applicants must also be willing to assist in after-hours epi-on-call phone coverage and outbreak response as needed.

Special Requirements

Due to the nature of the duties and responsibilities of this position, applicants should be able to meet/achieve the following:

a) travel out-of-town for outbreak investigations with little or only a few hours’ notice prior to departure, with ability to occasionally stay for one or more nights and work extended hours, and

b) depending on the disease, documentation of up-to-date vaccination status may be required to participate during in-person outbreak response activities.

Position requires possible response to public health emergencies including, but not limited to, natural disasters, disease outbreaks, or catastrophic events.

Normal working hours for IDPR employees are 8 am – 5 pm. As a member of IDPR you will be expected to respond to public health emergencies, and these events may occur after hours and on the weekends.

Level Descriptors

Epidemiologist I – This is an entry level epidemiologist position and will work under close supervision of a higher-level Epidemiologist or Epidemiologist supervisor.

Epidemiologist II – Mid-level epidemiologist position and will work with minimal supervision of a higher-level epidemiologist or supervisor. 

Minimum Requirements:

• Experience in epidemiology work preferred. Graduation froman accredited four-year college or university with major coursework inepidemiology, microbiology, infectious diseases, biostatistics, or a relatedfield is generally preferred (a master’s degree may be required per contract)
• Two (2) years’ experience in their field within the lastfour (4) years preferred
• Certification/Licensure may be required per state/contract
• Current CPR if applicable
• TB questionnaire, PPD or chest x-ray if applicable 
• Current Health certificate (per contract or stateregulation) 
• Must meet all federal, state and local requirements 
• Must be at least 18 years of age 

Salary : $42 - $50