Epidemiologist II

DSHS is committed to hiring skilled and dedicated individuals who share a passion for public health to pursue our vision of A Healthy Texas. If you are looking to make an impact and tackle new challenges, we encourage you to consider a career with us.

Employee 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). To learn more about all the benefits available to you as a DSHS employee and other DSHS opportunities for early career pathways, visit the DSHS Careers Page.

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Brief Job Description:

Under the direct supervision of the Epidemiology Supervisor, participates as a member of the Regional Epidemiology Response Team and coordinates efforts in planning and implementation of regional CDC preparedness and epidemiological activities. Performs highly complex (senior level) investigative and consultative epidemiological work in Public Health Region (PHR) 9/10 related to infectious diseases and notifiable conditions. Plans, develops, and conducts epidemiologic investigations of individual cases and clusters of infectious disease. Collects and analyzes epidemiologic data in PHR 9/10 to detect trends, outbreaks, unusual occurrences, and other possible adverse public health events related to infectious disease. Disseminates findings to regional stakeholders. Establishes training efforts in surveillance, disease reporting, infectious disease, epidemiology, and public health preparedness. Consults with local health departments and health care providers regarding disease reporting and surveillance, reporting laws, and prevention and control measures. Serves as a state resource during a response to an infectious disease outbreak or bioterrorism event. Works with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement. Travels within the state of Texas and PHR 9/10 (33 counties).

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

(35%) EPIDEMIOLOGY AND SURVEILLANCE: Coordinates and reviews epidemiologic case investigations and responds to disease clusters or outbreaks. Reviews written and electronic disease electronic laboratory reports to identify reportable conditions and ensure the data meets the established disease case definitions. Initiates, reviews, and interprets medical information, including labs. Produces technical reports based on communicable disease surveillance data. Responsible for creating and disseminating reports. Coordinates epidemiological data collection operations and ensures accuracy in management of obtained data. Works directly with the Epidemiology Supervisor to design procedures for handling and investigating notifiable conditions. Develops and implements plans and strategies to improve timeliness and completeness of reporting. Works to improve standardization of epidemiological data necessary to assess, measure and improve reporting and surveillance. Proposes and initiates ways to raise awareness of reporting laws and regulations. Serves as assistant of the investigative and quality assurance teams. Coordinates team meetings, work schedules and special projects with regional epidemiologist. Collects and enters data into disease surveillance databases.

(30%) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with a variety of partners including, but not limited to: local health departments, infection control staff, physicians, laboratories, school nurses and state communicable disease staff. Recommends interventions and control measures in response to epidemiological findings. Provides accurate, timely and relevant technical information to partners and the public. Maintains appropriate levels of confidentiality during investigations. 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 outbreak investigations or surveillance projects.

(15%) TRAINING AND EDUCATION: Designs, initiates, and coordinates training programs and presentations targeting the improvement of reporting and surveillance of notifiable conditions and public health preparedness initiatives. Prepares epidemiological articles, fact sheets, technical reports, and brochures. Develops oral/written presentations regarding epidemiology, disease reporting and surveillance and public health preparedness. Promotes preventative measures through community education of residents, city and county officials, and other partners. Uses databases, spreadsheets, PowerPoint, and other electronic technology to present information.

(10%) PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE: Participates as a member of the Epidemiology Response Team (ERT) and may respond to an all-hazards event, large disease outbreak, bioterrorism event or other public health emergency in PHR 9/10 or elsewhere in Texas. Develops regional epidemiology workplans, progress reports, and assessments. Participates in the 24/7 on-call rotation and provides coverage on holidays, weekends, and after normal business hours as needed. Assist with inventory and storage of response equipment and supplies required to support public health response and field deployments. Position will travel within regions 9 & 10 to develop effective relationships and collaboration with stakeholders to promote public health preparedness and epidemiology responses activities.

(10%) OTHER DUTIES: Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location. Supports Regional Health and Medical Operations (RHMOC) during public health emergencies. May respond to a public health emergency such as large disease outbreaks, or bioterrorism events anywhere in state. Safe operation of either a state-owned vehicle or personal vehicle is required to conduct state business and an acceptable driving record must be maintained in accordance with Fleet Operation and Management & Procedures and standards developed by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Adhere to HHSC work rules and attendance policy.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

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.

Skill in word processing, databases, statistical, mapping, and graphic software packages (e.g., EpiInfo, SAS, ArcGIS, Microsoft Office, Qualtrics).

Skill in writing and editing executive level, technical reports with a concentration in data analysis.

Skill in creating questionnaires and abstracting data from hospital/medical records. Skill in communicating and informing stakeholders about infectious disease issues.

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 on short notice.

Ability to train staff and regional stakeholders.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Texas Class C driver’s license or equivalent from another state to safely operate a motor vehicle.

Initial Screening Criteria:

• 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).
• Work hours other than Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm, during public health emergencies.

Additional Information:

• Initial prescreening by phone may be conducted.
• In-basket may be conducted.

In addition to rewarding, meaningful work, DSHS offers a variety of benefits, which can be found at https://ers.texas.gov/Benefits-at-a-Glance, and generous leave based on years of service. A list of State of Texas holidays is available at: http://www.hr.sao.texas.gov/Holidays.

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified for this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), DSHS will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring process for individuals with a qualifying disability. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the interview process, please notify the person who contacts you to schedule the interview. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747 or via email at HHSServiceCenter.Applications@ngahrhosting.com.

Salary Information, Pre-employment Checks, and Work Eligibility:

• The salary offered will follow DSHS starting salary guidelines. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds.
• Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.
• DSHS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 form