Epidemiologist II

DSHS is committed to hiring skilled and dedicated individuals who share a passion for public health to pursue our vision of A Healthy Texas. If you are looking to make an impact and tackle new challenges, we encourage you to consider a career with us.

Employee Benefits:

DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS). To learn more about all the benefits available to you as a DSHS employee and other DSHS opportunities for early career pathways, visit the DSHS Careers Page.

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Epidemiologist II - Under the supervision of the Medical Screening Quality Improvement & Testing Support Branch Manager, serves as an epidemiologic expert for the DSHS Laboratory. Provides and coordinates data analysis of newborn screening and clinical chemistry testing results to implement prevention and control measures, improve testing quality, and optimize outcomes for Texas public health initiatives. Assists with coordinating and performing NBS programmatic evaluations. Performs advanced (senior-level) epidemiological work. Work involves serving on teams of health specialists and investigating public health problems; planning, developing, coordinating, and conducting epidemiological investigations; designing and implementing unit data collection systems; analyzing data; and disseminating investigation results. May supervise the work of others. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for initiative and independent judgment. Highly advanced verbal and written communication skills required. Actively participates in the safety program. 

Essential Job Functions:

Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

EJF1 (30%) Epidemiology and Surveillance: Initiates, develops, organizes, and prepares protocols to investigate and improve the quality of public health laboratory testing and follow-up protocols, including managing program epidemiologic projects. Develops and conducts various trainings related to epidemiological and program evaluation issues. Provides expertise in the design, management, and evaluation of study protocols and health status questionnaires, sample selection, and analysis. Determines the appropriate formats for epidemiological reports and coordinates the technical preparation, graphics design, and compilation of finished reports. Research to develop methodologies and improve processes to ensure the best possible outcomes for individuals affected by conditions identified in laboratory testing, including newborn screening, microbiology, and clinical chemistry. Coordinates with other laboratory and program staff in the collection of epidemiological data.

EJF2 (30%) Monitoring and Analyzing Data: Monitors and evaluates program operations for quality and effectiveness and makes recommendations for improvement of processes and procedures. Monitors program data and epidemiologic investigation reports for accuracy. Performs data audits to identify trends and patterns to recommend control measures in Assists in developing action plans to improve program and laboratory data quality. Develops reports summarizing audit findings. Manages resources and contracts.

EJF3 (15%) Communication: Prepares administrative reports related to public health laboratory testing. Works with and speaks to community and healthcare professionals to inform epidemiological process, procedures, and results. Prepares presentations, communications materials, press releases, and other media-related materials. Coordinates and implements analysis on programmatic and service-related data such as Maternal and Child Health data. Prepares grant submissions, manuscripts, and epidemiologic reports.

EJF4 (10%) Consultation and Technical Assistance: Provides consultative services and technical assistance to physicians, educators, researchers, government health officials and others regarding best practices based on analysis findings. Plans, administers and evaluates health safety standards and programs to improve public health, conferring with health department, industry personnel, physicians and others. Participates in development and implementation of public health issues related to laboratory testing and their impact on public policies or scientific studies or surveys. Identifies areas of collaboration with partners to achieve public health program objectives.

EJF5 (10%) Leadership: Manages public health laboratory epidemiologic projects. Designs and implements surveillance processes for adverse health conditions and conducts evaluations of surveillance processes. Coordinates activities related to the reporting of epidemiological investigations. May serve as the liaison between the DSHS laboratory and scientific/lab community, stakeholders, and other healthcare professionals. Serves as a leader or member of investigatory and study teams. May supervise the work of others and prioritize workload. May prepare grants. Assists in the planning and execution of agency epidemiological programs.

EJF6 (5%) Other Duties as Assigned: Performs related duties as assigned by supervisor which include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligation for disaster response and/or recovery of Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternative shift pattern assignment and/or location. Based on your work area, consistently comply with DSHS Laboratory, local, state, and federal guidelines to ensure a safe functioning laboratory. 

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications: NA

Knowledge Skills Abilities:   

List the knowledge, skills, and abilities critical to performance in this position:

• Knowledge of the principles and methods of epidemiology and related biostatistics; of infectious diseases, adverse reproductive outcomes, cancer, or other chronic diseases; of occupational and environmental diseases or injuries; and of how causes of disease affect epidemiologic practices.

• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws related to Newborn Screening.

• Knowledge of complex inferential statistical methods.

• Proficient in programming in Statistical Analysis System (SAS) or Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), or R analytic software.

• Proficient in epidemiologic project management.

• Skill in identifying measures or indicators of program performance.

• Skill in using PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Access, Windows, and Internet.

• Skill in information management systems.

• Skill in problem solving and working independently.

• Skill in developing presentations for diverse audiences.

• Skill in public speaking.

• Skill in collection and handling of protected health data and other confidential records.

• Skill in creating, maintaining and using electronic reports and spreadsheets.

• Strong oral and written communication skills, including experience in writing technical reports and grant and manuscript preparation.

• Ability to plan, conduct, and report on epidemiological investigations.

• Ability to manipulate and analyze large, complex data sets.

• Ability to develop, coordinate, and implement studies and statistical analysis plans for epidemiologic surveillance and program evaluation.

• Ability to identify relationships and trends in data as well as factors that could affect the results of research and impact health outcomes of infants.

• Ability to identify programmatic problems and to develop and implement solutions.

• Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize projects, time, and workload assignments for epidemiologic projects.

• Ability to engage with diverse audiences and multiple stakeholders, including public speaking.

• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing; complex information to inform, persuade, and influence a wide range of audiences; including orally via the telephone and by personal contact.

• Ability to evaluate the impact of new or modified processes on shared NBS program goals and outcomes.

• Ability to collaborate across agencies and programs to meet shared goals.

• Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts.

• Ability to prepare reports.

• Ability to maintain several projects simultaneously.

• Ability to develop, evaluate, and interpret policies and procedures.

• Ability to complete tasks without close supervision and use considerable discretion and mature judgment in interactions with public and interpretation of protected health data.

• Ability to train, lead, and prioritize staff workload; and to supervise the work of others.

Initial Screening Criteria:      

Bachelors, Masters, or Doctorate in bioinformatics, biostatistics, computational biology, public health informatics, health informatics, health information management, or other related scientific field from an accredited institution. If degree is not in a scientific field, three years of experience in health informatics and bioinformatics may serve as a substitute.

Professional experience in health informatics implementation. A masters or doctoral degree in public health informatics, health informatics, health information management, or related degree may substitute for experience.

Experience performing molecular testing for human disease, preferred but not required.

Experience in newborn screening, preferred but not required.

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified for this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), DSHS will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring process for individuals with a qualifying disability. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the interview process, please notify the person who contacts you to schedule the interview. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747 or via email at HHSServiceCenter.Applications@ngahrhosting.com.

Salary Information, Pre-employment Checks, and Work Eligibility:

• The salary offered will follow DSHS starting salary guidelines. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds.
• Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.
• DSHS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.  Download the I-9 form