Health Surveillance Specialist - Epidemiology Unit

State of Nebraska; Lincoln (NE); On-site; USD 49,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Nebraska seeks a Health Surveillance Specialist in Lincoln to lead disease surveillance efforts within the Epidemiology Unit. You will collect and analyze health data, develop data-driven strategies, and support public health initiatives across the state.

Ideal candidate has a public health background with data analysis experience, works with stakeholders, and can prepare reports and manuscripts. Travel is modest; a valid driver's license is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Public Health, Statistics, or Health Education with several years of experience in data analysis, statistics and interpretation of epidemiological data.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Epidemiology Unit on surveillance development and implementation.
• Assist public health measurement of policy indicators and evaluation of controls/strategies.
• Collect, analyze, validate, and evaluate health data and related risk factors.
• Prepare periodic reports and presentations on health states, including manuscripts for publication.
• Prepare summary reports of data sets.
• Coordinate training activities for disease investigators across the state.
• Assist with coordination of outbreak response.

Skills

Data analysis

Statistics

Epidemiology data

Education

Bachelor's degree in Public Health, Statistics, or Health Education

Job description

Hiring Agency: Health & Human Services - Agency 25

Location: Lincoln, NE

Hiring Rate: $27.921

Job Posting: JR2026-00029826

Health Surveillance Specialist - Epidemiology Unit (Open)

Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed): 10-23-2026

Join our dynamic public health team as a Health Surveillance Specialist, where you will work with a talented team to lead public health surveillance activities within the Epidemiology Unit. In this role, you’ll use your expertise to monitor disease trends, identify health issues, and develop data-driven initiatives to improve the health of Nebraskans. This position is responsible for entry-level tasks related to utilizing epidemiological methodology. Collects, analyzes, evaluates, validates, interprets, and presents disease and/or health related data. Positions at this level take direction from a mid-level-experienced epidemiologist. Additionally, positions at this level assist and support other program staff to complete state required activities, grant deliverables, and assist in the writing of grant applications.

Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the Epidemiology Unit on the development and implementation of surveillance of a single or various health/disease area.
• Assist state and local public health in the measurement of policy indicators and evaluation of health/disease controls and/or strategies.
• Collect, analyze, validate, and evaluate data related to various health/disease issues, related risk factors, and the evaluation of intervention controls and strategies.
• Prepare periodic reports and presentations on specific health/disease states, including manuscripts for publication.
• Summary reports of data sets.
• Assist the Epidemiology Unit with coordination of training activities for disease investigators across the state.
• Assist with coordination of outbreak response.

Requirements / Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelors Degree in Public Health, Statistics, or Health Education and several years of experience in data analysis, statistics, and interpretation of epidemiological data in the relevant disease/health subject area.

Preferred Qualifications:

Masters Degree in Public Health, Statistics, or Health Education Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of: trends in risk factors, health/disease related conditions and interventions for a specific health/disease program; epidemiological research practices and procedures for the collection, analysis, evaluation, and validation of health/disease data sets; descriptive statistics, statistical inference, and statistical theory; public health principles and health care delivery systems. Ability to: facilitate groups in program evaluations and effectively collaborate with CDC, agency, and community officials in the collection and assessment of health/disease data sets and control/intervention initiatives; make presentations, use problem solving techniques, communicate effectively, evaluate impact of health/disease initiatives, analyze and interpret epidemiological data sets, advise program officials on best epidemiological approach.

Work Environment and Travel:

This position requires approximately 95% of work time spent in an office environment. The remainder is spent traveling or working in alternative sites such as attending conferences, meetings, and trainings.

Other: Must have a valid driver's license.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life. Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation. Check out all that the State of Nebraska has to offer! Benefit eligibility may vary by position, agency and employment status. For more information on benefits, please visit: https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits

Equal Opportunity Statement

The State of Nebraska values our teammates as well as a supportive environment that strives to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job classifications and at all levels without regard to race, color, religion, sex. age, national origin, disability, marital status or genetics. We are seeking talented individuals to join our team in careers that make a difference in the lives of Nebraskans.

Thank you for your interest in joining our team! State Government is one of the largest and most diverse employers in Nebraska. Whether it's helping a vulnerable child, advancing public health, making highways safer, or preserving our natural resources, the work we do matters!