Epidemiologist

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Newport News (VA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement plans (401a Cash Match, 457

Paid holidays

Job summary

The Virginia Department of Health seeks an Epidemiologist to strengthen public health across the Peninsula District, serving Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, Williamsburg, and surrounding counties. This entry‑level role focuses on surveillance, investigation, and prevention of public health events under supervision.

We offer annual leave, holidays, health/dental/vision/life insurance, and retirement plans while supporting professional growth in the HPHD.

Qualifications

• Basic knowledge of the cause, transmission, treatment, and prevention of communicable diseases and other conditions of public health importance
• Basic knowledge of methods of public health surveillance and disease outbreak investigations
• Working knowledge of biostatistics, computer data analysis, data quality assurance, and data management techniques
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Strong customer service skills
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Demonstrated ability to collect, analyze, and present statistical data
• Some experience in epidemiology, public health, or a related area

Responsibilities

• Carrying out a range of investigative and analytical epidemiologic activities related to surveillance, detection, and/or prevention of public health events in an assigned district or statewide program area
• Consulting on scientific and technical issues related to epidemiologic investigations
• Data collection, analysis, and reporting to support health departments and programs

Skills

Disease knowledge

Surveillance methods

Biostatistics

Data analysis

Communication skills

Customer service

Relationship building

Epidemiology experience

Tools

Statistical software

Database management

Job description

Title: Epidemiologist

State Role Title:Scientist I

Hiring Range: $48,257.95 - $66,538.00

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location:PENINSULA HQ

Agency Website:https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/hampton-peninsula/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is dedicated to protecting and promoting the health of Virginians. The VDH is made up of a statewide Central Office in Richmond and 32 local health districts. These entities work together to promote healthy lifestyle choices that can combat chronic disease, educate the public about emergency preparedness and threats to their health, and track disease outbreaks in Virginia.

As part of the Virginia Department of Health, the Hampton, and Peninsula Health Districts (HPHD) are two health districts serving the residents of Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, Williamsburg, and the Counties of James City, and Yorktown.

The Hampton and Peninsula Health Districts are focused on four key pillars to create a sustainable and engaged workforce:

1. Workforce Development and Training

2. Culture and Climate

3. Community Engagement and Partnerships

4. Communication and Openness

Through these pillars, we aim to achieve our mission of becoming the healthiest districts in the state and better serve our communities.

Apply and join the Virginia Department of Health's efforts to become the healthiest state in the nation.

Want to start a meaningful career using scientific investigation skills to protect the Peninsula?

Then join the Virginia Department of Health as an Epidemiologist to help strengthen public health across the Peninsula District! The entry‑level epidemiologist is responsible for carrying out a range of investigative and analytical epidemiologic activities related to the surveillance, detection, and/or prevention of public health events in an assigned district or within a statewide program area. Responsibilities include consulting on scientific and technical issues, conducting routine epidemiologic investigations, data collection/analysis, and providing health education and disease control recommendations. Positions in this role typically work under the close supervision of a more senior epidemiologist or similar position and the work is assigned and reviewed for conformance with overall requirements, contribution to the assignment objectives, consistency of facts and figures, analytical methodology, and practicality of recommendations.

The Virginia Department of Health offers 12 paid holidays, medical, dental, vision and life insurance, retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan) as well as sick, family/personal, and annual leave.

The successful candidate may receive a one‑time lump sum of annual leave.

Minimum Qualifications

• Basic knowledge of the cause, transmission, treatment, and prevention of communicable diseases and other conditions of public health importance
• Basic knowledge of methods of public health surveillance and disease outbreak investigations
• Working knowledge of biostatistics, computer data analysis, data quality assurance, and data management techniques
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Strong customer service skills
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Demonstrated ability to collect, analyze, and present statistical data
• Some experience in epidemiology, public health, or a related area

Additional Considerations

• Training/experience in public health, epidemiology or biostatistics.
• Some knowledge of federal and state laws, regulations, and policies regarding the reporting and control of disease
• Working knowledge of statistical software packages
• Experience with database management systems, especially those used to manage population‑based disease data

Applications and/or resumes should include relevant work history which indicates your qualifications for this position.

Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a state and federal criminal history background check and the Department of Social Service’s Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check, U.S. HHSIG Exclusion List check, employment reference check and E‑Verify. Other financial, credit, driving, background checks or completion of Statement of Economic Interests may be required for certain positions.

It is the policy of the Commonwealth and VDH that all aspects of human resource management be conducted without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists); sex; color; national origin; religion; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age; veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. VDH employees have a shared Code of Ethics, which can be found in the bottom banner of our website: www.vdh.virginia.gov.

If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.

As a V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) employer VDH Welcomes Veterans to apply!

Contact Information

Name: HPHD Human Resources

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.