Epidemiologist

Kansas Department of Health and Environment; Kansas; On-site; USD 37,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

Paid leave and holidays

Tuition/education support

Retirement plan

Job summary

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is seeking a field epidemiologist in the Infectious Disease and Epidemiology Response Section to provide epidemiological support for local health departments in Kansas pertaining to investigation of complex or unusual infectious disease cases and large or complicated outbreaks, reporting and surveillance for reportable diseases, data analysis, and public health training and education.

Qualifications

• Master of Public Health or related field; equal experience accepted.
• Ability to conduct comprehensive analyses of disease surveillance data using SAS or R.

Responsibilities

• Participate in 24/7 on-call rotation providing technical assistance.
• Support investigation of complex infectious disease cases and outbreaks.
• Enhance outbreak recognition, reporting, and investigation.
• Provide data analysis, surveillance updates, and training for LHD staff.
• Serve as liaison between KDHE and local health departments.

Education

Master of Public Health

Tools

SAS

R

Job description

Job Posting

Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy

Job Posting closes: September 23 rd , 2026

Required documents uploaded by: September 23 rd , 2026

Kansas Department of Health and Environment: Our agency is led by Secretary Janet Stanek, who was appointed by Gov. Kelly in Dec 2021. KDHE is comprised of three divisions: Public Health, Environment, and Health Care Finance (which includes the State’s Medicaid program, KanCare). We are the only agency in the nation to have these three entities under one roof which allows us to take a holistic approach to improving and protecting the health and well-being of all Kansans.

About The Position

• Who can apply: Anyone (External).
• Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified
• Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm (Flexible schedules available)
• Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes
• Veterans' Preference Eligible: Yes
• Sponsorship: KDHE does not provide sponsorship for this position.

Verification of identity and employment eligibility to work in the United States is required by federal law. For a list of acceptable documents that establish these criteria, please refer to the federal Form I-9 . KDHE does not provide sponsorships for this position.

E-Verify: Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For additional information regarding E-Verify, please click here . For additional information regarding Immigrant and Employee Rights (IER) please click here .

http://www.kdhe.ks.gov/

Compensation:

• Hourly Pay Range: $27.51 - $31.82
• Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.

Employment Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage
• Sick & Vacation leave
• Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave
• Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)
• Fitness Centers in select locations
• Employee discounts with the STAR Program
• Retirement and deferred compensation programs
• Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information…

Position Summary & Responsibilities

Position Summary:

The position (K0242797) We are seeking a field epidemiologist within our Infectious Disease and Epidemiology Response Section to provide epidemiological support for local health departments in Kansas pertaining to investigation of complex or unusual infectious disease cases and large or complicated outbreaks, reporting and surveillance for reportable diseases, data analysis, and public health training and education. This position is permitted to work exclusively remote but required to reside within the state of Kansas. Travel may be required to assist local health departments in significant case or outbreak investigations.

Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:

• Participate in the epidemiologist on-call rotation providing 24-hour technical assistance to the general public, local health departments, and healthcare professionals.
• Provide technical assistance to LHDs for investigation of complex or unusual infectious disease cases and outbreaks, including providing guidance on how to conduct investigations.
• Enhance the recognition, reporting and investigation of outbreaks and actively support LHD management of outbreaks. For large outbreaks this may include engaging appropriate partners and stakeholders, development and strengthening of collaborations, and development of targeted communication messages for specific groups.
• Provide information and updates to LHDs on infectious disease guidance through webinars and/or written communications.
• Provide training and education for LHD staff on disease surveillance, reporting, and prevention and control through in-person meetings, webinars, or recorded trainings.
• Serve as a liaison between KDHE and LHDs to enhance information sharing and situational awareness and foster a collaborative environment between LHDs and local and state stakeholders.
• Engage with LHDs and local health partners through outreach, by sharing local, regional, and state level data, and through public health consultation and education as needed.
• Organize regular regional meetings with LHDs, field epidemiologists, public health nurses, and KDHE program staff to sustain communication and provide educational and training opportunities.
• Conduct annual individual county needs assessments and utilize results to identify further areas for field epi support and training.
• Provide data analysis support to LHDs by responding to requests for surveillance data. Field epis will generate specific surveillance reports for individual counties and the region on a regular and as needed basis to assist in identifying trends in infectious diseases to inform public health action.

Qualifications

• Education:
  • Master of Public Health or other master’s program related to public health and epidemiology. Education may be substituted with equal or equivalent experience, determined by the agency
• Licensing & Certification:
  • Valid Driver's License - Incumbent is required to have and maintain a valid driver's license when operating a state vehicle, a private vehicle, or a rental vehicle for the benefit of the State.
• Minimum Qualifications:
  • Master of Public Health or other master’s program related to public health and epidemiology. Education may be substituted with equal or equivalent experience, determined by the agency
• Preferred Qualifications:
  • Master of Public Health with concentration in epidemiology
  • Experience in applied epidemiology in a public health agency
  • Experience or training in infectious disease surveillance; specifically, implementation of prevention and control measures
  • Ability to conduct comprehensive analyses of disease surveillance data using SAS or R (preferred) or other statistical packages
  • Proofreading, editing, attention to detail
  • Ability to establish and maintain relationships with colleagues and outside partners
  • Ability to communicate effectively with others
  • Familiarity of an electronic disease surveillance system
• Post-Offer, Pre-employment Requirements:
  • Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate: A valid Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate is a condition of employment for all employees of the State of Kansas. Applicants (including non-residents) who receive a formal job offer for a State job, are required to obtain a valid Tax Clearance within ten (10) days of the job offer. A Tax Clearance can be obtained through the Kansas Department of Revenue who reviews individual accounts for compliance with Kansas Tax Law. If you have a missing tax return(s) or you owe taxes to the State of Kansas, please know that the Kansas Department of Revenue will work with you. The Kansas Department of Revenue can set you up on a payment plan to receive a Tax Clearance so you can get a job working for the State of Kansas. The Kansas Department of Revenue can be contacted at 785-296-3199. Kansas Department of Revenue - Tax Clearance Frequently Asked Questions

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.