Rabies Surveillance Specialist (Epidemiologist)

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 61,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

12 paid holidays

Health insurance

Retirement plans (401a, 457)

Sick and annual leave

Job summary

The Virginia Department of Health is seeking a Rabies Surveillance Specialist (RSS Epidemiologist) to join the Zoonotic Disease Program. The role focuses on reviewing and analyzing animal rabies reports, maintaining the central database, and contributing to data visualization and the rabies control page.

The position requires data management, epidemiology, and strong communication skills, with responsibilities spanning data cleaning, reporting, and presenting statewide rabies data at meetings.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of rabies biology and epidemiology in Virginia.
• Working knowledge of data management techniques, data analysis, and data quality assurance.
• Basic knowledge of methods of public health surveillance.
• Some experience and expertise in epidemiology, public health, biostatistics or a related area.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and write effectively with epidemiologists and other health department staff.
• Ability to learn and work in Environmental Health Database and data management systems used to maintain rabies data such as REDCap.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and analyze surveillance data for reporting or educational outreach.
• Demonstrated ability to recognize, prioritize and follow-up on urgent rabies-related situations that need attention.
• Strong customer service skills, and strong oral and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Join the Zoonotic Disease Program team to support rabies response by following up on time-sensitive animal exposure reports.
• Review and analyze reported cases of laboratory-confirmed animal rabies across districts and maintain a database.
• Provide input on data visualization and update rabies statistics on the rabies control page.
• Coordinate data cleaning and submission of rabies data to local, state and federal partners.
• Offer guidance on data quality to local health district personnel and assist with data requests.

Skills

Rabies biology

Epidemiology

Data management

Data quality assurance

Public health surveillance

REDCap

Data analysis

Communication

Attention to detail

Tools

REDCap

Excel

Word

Adobe

PowerPoint

Job description

Title: Rabies Surveillance Specialist (Epidemiologist)

State Role Title: Scientist I

Hiring Range: $61,217 - $66,217

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: Dept of Health

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

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Join the Zoonotic Disease Program team as the Rabies Surveillance Specialist (RSS Epidemiologist). This position will support the team's critical rabies response efforts by following up on time-sensitive animal exposure / bite reports received at the central office. This position also supports Virginia's animal rabies surveillance by reviewing and analyzing reported cases of laboratory confirmed animal rabies cases for all districts and maintains a database of these cases. Responsible for updating the animal rabies statistics aspect of the rabies control page and offers input on data visualization. This data-focused position also coordinates data cleaning and submission of animal rabies data to local, state and federal partners. Maintains data associated with rabies clinics, domestic animal rabies report forms and rabies post-exposure prophylaxis for all districts and offers input on data management associated with these databases. Offers guidance to local health district personnel concerning data quality and entry. Assists with data requests and presents statewide animal rabies data at relevant meetings.
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.

Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge of basic rabies biology (cause, transmission, and prevention) and epidemiology of rabies in Virginia.
• Working knowledge of data management techniques, data analysis, and data quality assurance.
• Basic knowledge of methods of public health surveillance.
• Some experience and expertise in epidemiology, public health, biostatistics or a related area.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and write effectively with epidemiologists and other health department staff.
• Ability to learn and work in Environmental Health Database and data management systems used to maintain rabies data such as REDCap.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and analyze surveillance data for reporting or educational outreach.
• Demonstrated ability to recognize, prioritize and follow-up on urgent rabies-related (or other communicable disease) situations that need to receive immediate attention and prompt, appropriate referral.
• Demonstrated ability to perform work with careful attention to detail.
• Strong customer service skills, and strong oral and written communication skills.

Additional Considerations

• Training/experience and expertise in epidemiology, public health, biostatistics or related field.
• 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 large data sets of population-based disease data.
• Experience with the production of pivot tables, graphs and tables and other methods to communicate surveillance data and enhance data visualization for reporting or educational outreach.
• Working knowledge of Excel, Word, Adobe, and PowerPoint.

Special Instructions

Applications are accepted until 11:55 p.m. on the job closing date.

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!

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.

Contact Information

Name: Yatavia Banks

Phone: N/A

Email: [e-mail]