Chief State Epidemiologist

Texas Department of State Health Services; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 239,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas Department of State Health Services in Austin seeks a Chief State Epidemiologist to lead epidemiology programs, supervise data analytics, and guide state health surveillance with cross‑agency collaboration.

The role requires a medical degree, Texas license, ABMS board certification, and at least 5 years in public health or epidemiology, with demonstrated leadership. The position is day shift, on-site, with travel up to 15% and strong policy impact.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited medical school with a medical degree (MD).
• Five (5) years of experience in public health, epidemiology or related field.
• Experience leading teams or managing people.

Responsibilities

• Leads the development, implementation, and evaluation of epidemiological initiatives and publications; conducts data analysis and reviews health indicators to help leadership measure state health.
• Directs the daily operations of the OCSE division; sets division strategy and objectives aligned with DSHS priorities.
• Advises the DSHS Commissioner and executive team on epidemiology trends, morbidity, mortality, and health risks to Texas populations.
• Provides expert epidemiology consultation to state agencies, health facilities, service regions, local authorities, and other entities.
• Represents DSHS in legislative and public forums; develops and reviews legislative materials; coordinates cross-division projects; may attend meetings and conferences.
• Coordinates with the Commissioner and agency executives to advance agency goals and provide counsel on programmatic trends and emerging issues.
• Performs additional duties including participation in disaster response and Continuity of Operations (COOP) activities; alternative shift patterns or locations may be required.

Skills

Epidemiology

Data Analysis

Public Health Leadership

Education

MD

Job description

Chief State Epidemiologist

DSHS is committed to hiring skilled and dedicated individuals who share a passion for public health to pursue our vision of A Healthy Texas.

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.

Functional Title: Chief State Epidemiologist

Job Title: Physician III

Agency: Department of State Health Services

Department: Chief State Epidemiologist

Posting Number: 17233

Closing Date: 11/20/2026

Occupational Category: Management

Salary Range: $15,037.75 - $19,916.67 per month

Salary Group: TEXAS-B-35

Shift: Day Only; Telework: Not Eligible; Travel: Up to 15%

Job Location City: Austin

Job Location Address: 1100 W 49TH ST (RDM)

Essential Job Functions (EJFs)

• (25%) Leads the development, implementation, and evaluation of the department’s epidemiological initiatives and publications. Conducts data analysis and reviews health indicators to assist agency leadership with measuring the health status of the state. Performs special studies, develops reports and attends meetings. Manages the collection, analysis, and dissemination of public health data across state and federal agencies and ensures data integrity and quality.


• (20%) Directs the daily operations of the OCSE division and provides general administrative and technical leadership of functions and activities. Establishes and monitors the division strategic vision, goals, and objectives in alignment with DSHS priorities.


• (15%) Advises the DSHS Commissioner and the executive team on epidemiology, morbidity and mortality trends, and health risks in the Texas population.


• (15%) Provides expert consultation on epidemiology and disease control, harmful exposure, and injury prevention to state agencies, health facilities, health service regions, local health authorities, and other entities.


• (10%) Represents DSHS in legislative and public forums, including providing information, testimony, and presentations to legislative committees, state and federal agencies, and other organizations. Oversees development and approval of legislative materials and ensures coordination across divisions on joint projects. May represent DSHS at meetings, conferences, and seminars or on boards, panels, and committees.


• (10%) Coordinates with the Commissioner and agency executives to advance agency goals and objectives. Provides information and counsel on programmatic trends, emerging issues, and their impact.


• (5%) Other duties as assigned, including participation in disaster response and/or recovery of Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. This position may require alternative shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

Knowledge of principles and practices of modern medicine, public health, preventive medicine; disease conditions, injury causes, and biological threats; state and federal public health laws; structure and functions of local, regional, and state public health organizations; CDC operations and inter-state notification policies and procedures; disease and injury surveillance, reporting practices, and outbreak investigation procedures.

Skill in clear oral and written communication, employee management, supervisory training, team building, conflict management, problem-solving, leadership, multi-tasking, prioritizing, data analysis and using computers and related software applications.

Ability to interpret agency rules, policies and procedures; coordinate public, private, and professional group activities; express ideas clearly and concisely for various audiences; exercise judgment; exhibit cultural awareness and competency.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements, or Certifications

• Current full and unrestricted medical license in the State of Texas.


• Board certification in a medical specialty from the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).

Required Initial Screening Criteria

• Graduation from an accredited college of medicine with a medical degree.


• Five (5) years of experience in public health, as an epidemiologist or in a related field.


• Experience leading teams or managing people.

Preferred Initial Screening Criteria

• Advanced degree in public health, epidemiology, or a related field.

Additional Information

• Candidates must have a current and unrestricted Texas medical license and be board certified in a medical specialty to qualify for an interview.


• Candidates selected for an interview will be required to complete a written skills test as part of the interview process.

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans

Active‑duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified for this position.

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 accommodation is needed to participate in the interview process, please notify the contact posted for scheduling.

Salary Information and Pre‑employment Checks

• Salary will follow DSHS starting salary guidelines and is contingent upon available budgeted funds.


• Applicants selected for hire may need to pass background and other due diligence checks.


• DSHS uses E‑Verify. Applicants must bring I‑9 documentation on the first day of work.