BRIEF JOB DESCRIPTION

With direction of the Epidemiology Team’s lead and the supervision of the Assessment, Compliance, and Epidemiology (ACE) Unit director, performs advanced (senior level) investigative and consultative work in the ACE Unit related to vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD). Plans, develops, initiates, and conducts advanced epidemiological studies and surveys to determine vaccination uptake, coverage levels with a focus on outbreaks and outbreak prevention. Identifies methods for increasing immunization program effectiveness and assist with design, implementation, and evaluation of coverage improvement activities. Coordinates with other teams within the Immunization Section and the Emerging and Acute Infectious Disease Unit (EAIDU). Serves as a subject matter expert on various vaccine formulations, recommendations, safety, and effectiveness with a focus on outbreak response.

Prepares public health information, training materials, and investigative tools for outbreak and outbreak prevention. This position is 100% in-office and based in Austin, Texas.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Attends work regularly in accordance with agency leave policy.

(35%) Prepares reports, executive summaries, and situation reports as directed by the epidemiology team lead; ensures data quality. Assists in designing, implementing, and evaluating activities to improve vaccination coverage levels and address areas or populations at risk. Retrieves data from the agency's immunization information system (ImmTrac2) and other data sources to complete assigned reports and analyses. Works collaboratively with other groups in the Immunization Section and other parts of the agency on analyses pertaining to vaccinations. Creates, maintains, and distributes databases using applications such as Excel, Access and SAS.

(30%) Collaborates and coordinates with other epidemiologists on the team in addition to the EAIDU Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPD) team on analyses and special projects. Assists the Immunization Section during VPD outbreaks. Participates in training regional and local staff on outbreak response processes. Reviews and updates surveillance and immunization guidance documents.

(30%) May prepare and give oral presentations on surveillance and vaccine data for professional and lay audiences. Assists in the development of vaccine fact sheets, pamphlets, brochures, and trainings with other teams within the ACE Unit and the Immunization Section. Responds by telephone or in writing to requests for data or information from private and public agencies, health professionals, or the public. Reviews scientific literature as appropriate. Listens to assigned webinars and calls and provides detailed notes for Section leadership as needed.   Backs up other epidemiologists in the ACE Unit as needed.

(5%) Other duties as assigned 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.

REGISTRTION, LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS OR CERTIFICATIONS:

Valid driver's license

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the principles and methods of epidemiology and related biostatistics
• Knowledge of infectious diseases, especially vaccine-preventable diseases.
• Knowledge of vaccines and related schedules
• Knowledge of database management
• Knowledge of data and statistical analyses
• Knowledge of program evaluation
• Knowledge of surveillance methods and outbreak investigation methods
• Skill in the use of statistical analysis packages (e.g., SAS, SPSS, STATA, R, etc.)
• Skill in the use of data visualization software (e.g., Tableau, ArcGIS, PowerBI etc.)
• Skill in Microsoft Office products including Excel, PowerPoint, Word.
• Ability to evaluate policies and procedures
• Ability to assimilate technical concepts and to communicate these effectively both orally and in writing
• Ability to work collaborative on a team
• Ability to plan, conduct, and report on surveillance and epidemiological investigations
• Ability to analyze and interpret data and vaccination reports in surveillance and outbreak investigations
• Ability to apply findings of data analyses in surveillance and outbreak investigations
• Ability to build and manage databases
• Ability to manage projects and facilitate trainings

INITIAL SCREENING:

• A master's degree with a focus in epidemiology, biostatistics, or related field and at least 1 year of work experience in epidemiology or data analysis (work experience at a public health agency is preferred)

OR

• An undergraduate degree in public health, biostatistics, biological sciences, or a related field with 2 or more years of epidemiology or data analysis (work experience at a public health agency is preferred)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

This position is 100% in-office and based in Austin, Texas. An in-basket exercise will be required at the time of the interview.