HIV Surveillance Epidemiologist

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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Brief Job Description: 

Under the direction and supervision of the HIV Epidemiology and Surveillance Group manager, performs statistical analyses using advanced statistical software, interprets results, and writes articles and reports related to HIV epidemiology and surveillance. Manages the bidirectional import of data between the TB/HIV/STD Integrated System (THISIS) and the enhanced HIV/AIDS Reporting System (eHARS). Creates annual data analysis files, including leading the team in data quality clean up efforts and ensuring complete reporting. Assists with quality assurance projects for HIV surveillance, including chart abstractions and lab validation processes. Assists with electronic laboratory reporting (ELR) system reporting and functions. Programs in SAS, Access, Tableau and other software applications. Serves as team lead to other group epidemiologists, including training new staff. Collaborates with epidemiologists in the HIV/STD Section to ensure overall programmatic goals and strategic planning are optimized. Oversees and contributes to epidemiologic and research reports useful to the Section and DSHS staff, the public and the public health and medical communities.   

Essential Job Functions (EJFs): 

Creates and maintains the process for the transfer of data to and from the THISIS to eHARS on a weekly basis. Checks data for accuracy prior to import and according to system updates; informs product owners of changes in systems updates and ensures continued import functionality; and ensures CDC reporting requirements are met according to established deadlines (30%). 

Serves as a lead subject matter expert in HIV Surveillance and the team lead of the HIV Surveillance Epidemiologists. Collaborates with staff in HIV Surveillance, STD Surveillance and Public Health Follow Up to ensure all data systems in use by central office and local jurisdictions meet the needs of the program for data collection and reporting. Works with software developers to identify any gaps and needs for software systems (20%). 

Creates yearly analysis file; incorporates data from other data sources; ensures data quality by data cleaning and standardization prior to file creation. Utilizes appropriate epidemiologic and statistical methods in data analysis using SAS, eHARS, ARIES, ELR, and STD*MIS, and various other databases, graphics, mapping, spreadsheet, and word processing applications. Creates de-normalized tables necessary to properly run reports and workflows in THISIS (15%). 

Serves as the team lead for the HIV Surveillance Epidemiology Team, including training and mentoring Epidemiologists I and II staff, ensuring adequate training opportunities, communicating needs to the Group Manager, and identifying analysis and publication opportunities (15%). 

Works with other central office and local staff to ensure accurate data management and reporting. Incorporates chart and survey data from other relevant data systems to improve data completeness and quality. Works with staff on data collection issues and provides solutions to enhancing data collection. Provides routine feedback and reports to the local sites on data entry, as needed (15%). 

Other duties as assigned but not limited to: assists with other surveillance projects and epidemiologic and statistical analyses as needed; serves as backup of to group epidemiologists as needed; participates and/or serves in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location. (5%). 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): 

Knowledge of: 

Major functions of public health.  

Statistical concepts, research methods, and their applications to public health surveillance and research.  

Sampling, survey methods and weighting.  

Health status, socioeconomic and demographic measures used in public health.  

Population, socioeconomic and health outcomes data sources.  

Programming logic and scripting.  

Human Subjects Protections and issues of confidentiality. 

Skill in: 

Microsoft Office products especially Excel, and PowerPoint.  

Using Internet publishing/graphics presentation software.  

Statistical software, especially SAS, and in writing syntax to perform analyses.  

Database management, especially relational database structures.  

Analyzing nested data. Skill in both verbal and written communications.  

Graphical presentation of data including charts, tables, and maps.  

Working with sensitive personal health information. 

Ability to: 

Manage and query complex databases.  

Use population data for public health planning and evaluation.  

Conduct research projects and data collection efforts.  

Organize and prioritize work and meet deadlines. 

Plan, assign and/or supervise the work of others. 

Exercise independent judgment and show initiative.  

Communicate effectively with data users and coworkers.  

Maintain effective working relationships. 

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications: 

N/A 

Initial Screening Criteria: 

Graduation from a four-year college or university with major course work in social science, computer science, statistical analysis, behavioral science and/or biostatistics.  

Master level degree in public health, epidemiology, biostatistics, social science, or statistical analysis preferred. Two years of data analysis experience strongly preferred.  

Years of experience in applicable public health programs such as chronic or infectious disease may substitute for education on a year-by-year basis. Experience in the development, data extraction, and maintenance of databases. Experience in public health and infectious disease control preferred. Experience with programming in statistical software. Familiarity with SAS preferred.  

Experience with survey development, data collection, statistical analyses, and data dissemination processes. Experience with writing and reviewing statistical reports and making presentations.

Experience leading a team or project. 

Additional Information: 

N/A  

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