Chief Epidemiologist

Collin County; McKinney (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

200% retirement match

Tuition reimbursement

Paid holidays

Paid time off (PTO)

Job summary

Collin County is seeking a Chief Epidemiologist to direct and coordinate epidemiological services, disease surveillance, outbreak response, and related public health activities within the department.

The role leads Epidemiology staff, oversees workload and quality assurance, analyzes data, develops preventive strategies, and represents the county in emergencies, with on-call duties and travel to Austin and surrounding counties.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in epidemiology, public health, or a closely related field.
• Minimum five years of related professional experience in epidemiology or public health.
• Two years of management or supervisory experience preferred.
• Valid Texas Driver’s License with acceptable driving record.
• Willingness to travel to Austin and surrounding counties for training and meetings.
• Ability to lead, analyze complex public health information, and coordinate multiple stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Directs and coordinates epidemiological services, disease surveillance, case investigations, outbreak response, consultations, and related public health activities.
• Provides leadership and oversight to Epidemiology staff, including workload coordination, assignments, quality assurance, performance expectations, and compliance.
• Reviews and evaluates public health policies and resources to develop disease prevention, surveillance and response strategies.
• Analyzes epidemiological data and prepares reports, summaries, and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.
• Provides technical guidance, training, consultation, and education to officials, healthcare providers, and the public.
• Develops, evaluates and implements emergency preparedness and surveillance programs with appropriate protocols.
• Serves as subject matter expert for communicable disease surveillance, investigations, outbreak management, and emergencies.
• Maintains knowledge of applicable laws and ensures activities comply with requirements.
• Participates in public health emergencies, outbreaks, and other incidents requiring response.
• Participates in rotating epidemiology on-call schedule, including after-hours, weekends, and holidays.

Skills

Leadership

Public health expertise

Communication

Travel willingness

On-call readiness

Education

Master’s degree in Epidemiology or Public Health

Ph.D. in Epidemiology or related field

MD/DO/MBBS or related degree

Job description

Collin County is seeking candidates to fill the position of Chief Epidemiologist. A Chief Epidemiologist is responsible for but not limited to, directing and coordinating epidemiological services. Overseeing and managing direct personnel. Work is performed under the direction of the Director of Public Health.

Primary Functions

• Directs and coordinates epidemiological services, disease surveillance, case investigations, outbreak response, consultations, and related public health activities within the department.
• Provides leadership and oversight to Epidemiology staff, including workload coordination, case assignments, quality assurance, performance expectations, and compliance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
• Reviews and evaluates public health policies, legislation, guidance, and available health resources to develop and implement disease prevention, control, surveillance, and response strategies, including preparedness for emerging infectious diseases and potential bioterrorism events.
• Analyzes epidemiological and public health data for Collin County and prepares accurate epidemiological, statistical, and management reports, summaries, and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.
• Provides technical guidance, training, consultation, and education to county and local officials, healthcare providers, community partners, employees, and the public regarding disease surveillance, prevention, control, and public health response.
• Develops, evaluates, and implements emergency preparedness, response, communication, monitoring, and surveillance programs and establishes appropriate protocols, procedures, and response plans.
• Serves as a subject matter expert and departmental resource for communicable disease surveillance, epidemiological investigations, outbreak management, and public health emergencies.
• Maintains current knowledge of applicable public health laws, regulations, guidelines, and epidemiological practices and ensures departmental activities remain compliant with established requirements.
• Participates in and provides epidemiological support during public health emergencies, outbreaks, and other incidents requiring response, coordination, or consultation.
• Participates in a rotating epidemiology on-call schedule and provides timely consultation and response to public health concerns, including after-hours, weekends, and holidays, as required.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Work requires professional knowledge of epidemiology, public health, medicine, or a closely related discipline acquired through advanced education, specialized training, and professional experience.
• Master’s degree in Epidemiology, Public Health, or a related field is required. Alternate acceptable degrees include Ph.D. in Epidemiology, Public Health, or a related field, Doctor of Medicine (MD), Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, (OD), or a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree.
• Requires a minimum of five years of directly related professional experience in epidemiology, public health, disease surveillance, infectious disease, or a closely related field.
• Two years of management or supervisory experience is preferred.
• Must possess a valid Texas Driver’s License and maintain an acceptable driving record.
• Must be willing and able to travel to Austin and surrounding counties for training, meetings, public health coordination, and other departmental business as required.
• Must be willing and able to participate in an epidemiology on-call rotation that may include seven days per week, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Must demonstrate the ability to provide leadership, exercise sound professional judgment, analyze complex public health information, communicate effectively, and coordinate activities involving multiple stakeholders.

Workplace and Benefits

Collin County offers a fast-paced working environment, 200% retirement match with employee contributions earning 7% interest, 100% tuition reimbursement, affordable medical, dental, and vision plans, 10 paid holidays annually, 24 days of PTO in your first year of employment with balance rollover from year-to-year, county-provided life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, and other optional participation benefits. You can read more about the comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and long and short term disability on the Collin County website.

COLLIN COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER