Epidemiologist

Job Description:

Epidemiologist

Description

Minimum Qualifications
Education and/or Equivalent Experience:

• Graduation with a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Public Health ( MPH ) or closely related field with emphasis on epidemiology and/or biostatistics, plus one (1) year of experience in epidemiology, data management, infectious diseases, occupational diseases, environmental health, cancer, chronic diseases, reproductive health or other related field.

Licenses or Certifications:

• None

Notes to Applicants
Position Overview:
Investigates, interprets, and reports information about disease conditions, disease outbreaks and surveillance activities within the community.

• Assists with analysis and interpretation of epidemiologic data and prepares reports of investigation and findings, with a focus on hepatitis and maternal, child and adolescent health.
• Responds to internal and external requests for information regarding disease conditions, disease outbreaks and other disease surveillance activities.
• Provides technical assistance and training to other divisions, health professionals and the general public on general epidemiology, disease outbreaks and disease surveillance activities.
• Assists in emergency response and preparedness issues related to epidemiology and surveillance capabilities.
• Provides emergency preparedness and response support for the Department as needed.
• Participates in on-call response.

APH Information:

• This position supports Austin Public Health’s Mission and Core Purpose identified in the Austin Public Health Strategic Plan .
• Departmental Competencies related to the position can be found on Austin Public Health’s website .

Be a part of Austin Public Health: https://youtu.be/wJgNIc3ivkA .

Immunization Requirement:

• Due to high-risk areas, Austin Public Health employees must comply with the department’s immunization policy.

Regarding your Application

• A detailed, complete City of Austin employment application is required to evaluate your qualifications. Please be thorough in completing the employment application and list all experience that is relevant to this position.
• The application and resume must include dates (month and year) for each job history entry. In addition, the resume information must match the information on the application. Please describe your specific experience as it relates to the minimum and preferred qualifications when responding to the supplemental questions on the application.
• Work experience listed must include a month, year, and a verifiable Supervisor or Human Resources phone number. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Each individual who submits an application as provided in the Municipal Civil Service Rules and meets the minimum qualifications for a competitive position shall be considered a candidate for that position. Employees, in good standing, who are candidates within the department or division that the position resides in and who meet the minimum and preferred qualifications (if any) of the position will be included in the initial interview.
• The responses to the supplemental questions should reference the employment history listed in the employment history section. Once the requisition has closed, the application cannot be changed to update work history, supplemental questions, or any other information.

Salary and Benefits

• Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. This position comes with a comprehensive benefits package consisting of medical and dental coverage, paid sick, vacation, and personal time, and a retirement plan.

If you are selected to interview

• Military/Veterans must provide a copy of their DD214 at the time of hire.
• This position will require a pre-employment Criminal Background Investigation ( CBI ).
• If you are identified as a top candidate, verification of your education, which may include High School graduation or GED , undergraduate, and/or graduate degrees, will be required.

Electronic Notification to Applications

• Applicants will be notified via e-mail to communicate important information related to the status of their application as part of an ongoing effort to increase operational efficiency, promote a green environment and minimize delays and costs. Please ensure that the email address and contact information you provide are current, secure, and readily accessible to you. We will not be responsible in any way if you do not receive our e-mails or fail to check your inbox in a timely manner skills assessment may be required.
• When public health responds to an emergency you may be assigned activities that are outside your regular job description. This may involve responding at any time, including nights and weekends with possible deployment to locations other than the Austin Public Health. COVID -19 considerations:
• This position is eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness ( PSF ) Program. This program is a federal program that is intended to encourage individuals to work in public service by forgiving the balance of their federal student loans.

Tobacco Free Workplace:

The City of Austin is a tobacco-free workplace. Use of tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes is not permitted on any City of Austin worksite- including construction sites, parking lots, garages, or in personal vehicles parked on the premises.

Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. Please note that the Department may close the job posting at any time after 7 days.
Pay Range
$30.70 - $38.37

Hours
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Job Close Date 02/26/2025 Type of Posting External Department Austin Public Health Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Professional Location 5202 E. Ben White Blvd., Suite 600, Austin Texas 78741 Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Experience:

• Experience performing public health investigations and surveillance related to infectious diseases, chronic conditions, substance use disorder, injury prevention, environmental exposures, or maternal child and adolescent health.
• Experience communicating with healthcare personnel.
• Experience performing statistical analysis using software such as SAS , R, Power BI, etc.
• Experience creating and managing spreadsheets in Microsoft Excel.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
Assists in data collection, assessment, and evaluation process in community health planning for the department. Establishes, maintains, and improves databases on adverse health conditions. Develops, analyzes, and reports strategic health indicators for the community. Plans, develops, directs, and coordinates epidemiologic studies and investigations. Analyzes and interprets data. Prepares reports on epidemiologic investigations. Explores linkages between diseases, conditions, and risk factors in the community. Creates summaries/briefs and comprehensive reports for periodic release, focused on examining recent data on disease burden in the community, risk factors, and health inequities. Participates in the community assessment process to identify key health indicators and develop on-going assessment activities. Responds to inquiries from the public on information related to adverse health conditions.

Responsibilities- Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:

• None

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of current epidemiological, biostatistics principles, and practices.
• Knowledge of computerized database and statistical software.
• Knowledge of organization and administration of public health programs.
• Knowledge of public health laws, ordinances, policies, procedures, rules and regulations and basic medical terminology.
• Knowledge of current cultural, social, economic, and public health issues and community demographics.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining good working relationships.
• Skill in applying interviewing and assessment technique for case investigations including culturally and socio-economically diverse populations.
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing.
• Ability to interact effectively and professionally with persons from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, education, racial, ethnic, and professional backgrounds, managers, co-workers, and members of the public and professional groups.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality as required by HIPAA and other Texas privacy laws.

Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation. EEO/ADA
City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* This position requires Graduation with a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Public Health (MPH) or closely related field with emphasis on epidemiology and/or biostatistics, plus one (1) year of experience in epidemiology, data management, infectious diseases, occupational diseases, environmental health, cancer, chronic diseases, reproductive health or other related field. Do you meet this minimum qualification?

• Yes
• No

* This position requires a criminal background investigation (CBI). By selecting the following, you are acknowledging that you understand if you are selected as a top candidate for this position, you will need a successful CBI to be hired.

• I acknowledge and understand this position requires a Criminal Background Investigation.

* Due to working in high risk areas, applicants applying for this position must comply with the departments immunization policy as a condition of employment. Can you meet this requirement?

• Yes, I will comply to the vaccinations required by the APH department
• No, I cannot meet this requirement - (disqualifying)

* Please describe your experience with public health investigations. If you do not have experience in this area, please put N/A.
(Open Ended Question)
* Please describe your experience with maternal child and adolescent health. If you do not have any experience in this area, please put N/A.
(Open Ended Question)
* Describe your experience communicating with healthcare personnel. If you do not have experience in this area, please put N/A.
(Open Ended Question)
* Please describe your experience performing analysis using statistical software such as SAS, R, Power BI, etc. If you do not have experience in this area, please put N/A.
(Open Ended Question)
* Please select which statement best describes your level of proficiency using Microsoft Excel:

• Basic: Skill level includes data entry, basic formatting (page setup, column width, etc.), creating spreadsheets.
• Intermediate: Skill includes basic calculations, use of functions, complex formatting (cell manipulation, etc.), charts/graphs (static), etc.
• Advanced: Skill level includes pivot tables, V lookups, formula creation, use of functions for formula creation, etc.
• Expert: Skill level includes macros creation, complex formula, creation/manipulation, charts/graphs (dynamic), create database queries, etc.
• None of the above.

* In the prior twelve months have you been employed by, owned any interest in, or been an officer or board member, for any business entity, including a non-profit organization, that is transacting any business with the City of Austin, including a recipient of any contracts, grants, or any funds of any kind from the City of Austin?

• Yes
• No
• Don't know

* If you answered yes to the previous question, please explain below.
(Open Ended Question)


Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Cover Letter Resume Optional Documents