Epidemiologist Senior

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 92,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid holidays

Retirement plans

Job summary

The Virginia Department of Health’s Piedmont District seeks a Senior Epidemiologist to lead investigative and analytical work within the Piedmont District and statewide programs.

The role coordinates program activities, provides training, monitors data quality, and offers disease control recommendations to partners. Occasional travel and a valid driver’s license are required; funding is grant-based for a 5-year cycle ending 2029-06-30.

Qualifications

• Considerable knowledge of the cause, transmission, treatment, and prevention of communicable diseases.
• Considerable knowledge of methods of investigating disease cases, clusters, and outbreaks.
• Considerable knowledge of federal and state laws, regulations, and policies regarding public health and disease reporting.
• Working knowledge of biostatistics, data analysis, and data management techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to develop program goals and evaluate effectiveness.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to collect, quality assure, analyze, interpret, and present statistical data.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with health care professionals and the public.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate a specific epidemiology program within an area or statewide program.
• Provide training and monitor data collection/analysis for accuracy and consistency.
• Lead scientific teams and coordinate disease control recommendations to external partners.
• Perform assignments independently under supervision and determine scope of program planning.

Skills

Cause and transmission of communicable

Disease investigation methods

Biostatistics and data management

Policy interpretation and program with

Training and supervision

Communication with health care and the

Experience in epidemiology or public

Statistical software proficiency

Job description

Title: Epidemiologist Senior

State Role Title: Scientist II

Hiring Range: $59,754 - $92,328

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: PIEDMONT HQ

Agency Website: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/piedmont/

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 33 local health districts. The Piedmont Health District proudly serves 7counties and the local health departments within, including Prince Edward, Amelia, Nottoway, Lunenburg, Charlotte, Buckingham and Cumberland.

This is a restricted position which is solely funded by the Public Health Emergency Preparedness grant for a 5-year cycle ending June 30, 2029. The availability of funding is scheduled for review annually and periodically thereafter. Continued employment is contingent on the continued availability of grant funds.

The position advertised is located at the Piedmont District Office in Prince Edward County. Occasional travel to other health departments in the district may be required. A valid state driver's license is required to operate a state vehicle or a personal vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the agency. Mileage will be reimbursed per the standard mileage rate.

The senior-level epidemiologist is responsible for carrying out a broad and moderately complex range of investigative and analytical epidemiologic activities in an assigned district or within a statewide program area. Positions in this role coordinate a specific epidemiology program within an area to include interpreting program policies and procedures, providing training, monitoring and reviewing data collection/analysis for accuracy and consistency, and serving as a program consultant. Positions in this role may lead scientific teams and be responsible for performing a full range of coordinating and supportive duties and responsibilities, including coordinating activities and making disease control recommendations to external partners. Performs work under the limited supervision of a lead epidemiologist, program manager, district health director, nurse manager, or similar position and perform assignments independently, making determinations about scope and direction of program planning, research and investigation, based on agreed upon direction and institutional review board approval, as needed. Typically, the work completed is reviewed to evaluate overall results prior to data dissemination.

The district senior-level epidemiologist will have supervisor responsibilities for a deputy epidemiologist and other associated epidemiology staff. Disease surveillance activities will include site visits across the district and pick-up of specimen collection when required for an investigation.

Minimum Qualifications

• Considerable knowledge of the cause, transmission, treatment, and prevention of communicable diseases and other conditions of public health importance.
• Considerable knowledge of methods of investigating disease cases, clusters, and outbreaks.
• Considerable knowledge of federal and state laws, regulations, and policies regarding public health and the reporting and control of disease.
• Working knowledge of biostatistics, analysis and interpretation of data, and data management techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to develop program goals and objectives and to evaluate program effectiveness.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to collect, quality assure, analyze, interpret, and present statistical data.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with health care professionals and the general public.
• Considerable experience in epidemiology, public health, or a related area.
• Basic knowledge and proficiency utilizing statistical software packages.

Additional Considerations

• Training or experience in public health, epidemiology or biostatistics
• Experience with database management systems, especially those used to manage population-based disease data or other conditions of public health significance.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and direct the work of others in a supervisory or project management capacity.

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.

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.

VDH requires all Health-Care Personnel (HCP) to provide documentation of immunization or evidence of immunity to the following: hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella; a one-time dose of tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine regardless of the interval since the last dose of tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccine was administered (Td or Tdap boosters shall be received every 10 years); and the current year's seasonal influenza vaccination.

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

Contact Information

Name: Hope Bates

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.