Influenza Surveillance Epidemiologist III

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.

Review our Top 10 Tips for Success when Applying to State of Texas Jobs.

Functional Title: Influenza Surveillance Epidemiologist III 
Job Title: Epidemiologist III 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: Emrgng & Acute Infcts Disease 
Posting Number: 10303 
Closing Date: 01/01/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-23 
Salary Range: $5,098.66 - $8,304.83 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework:  
Travel: Up to 20% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: AUSTIN 
Job Location Address: 1100 W 49TH ST (RDM) 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 230X,43EX,43HX,43TX,4E0X1,61G,HM,SEI12 
 
 
 

Under the general supervision of the Emerging and Acute Infectious Disease Manager, the Influenza Epidemiologist III works on highly complex assignments requiring epidemiologic design and implementation of data collection, analysis, and reporting related to influenza and respiratory infectious diseases.  Primary duties of the position include development and implementation of surveillance databases; design of fieldwork protocols and epidemiologic studies; conducting statistical analyses of health outcome data; and developing reports containing findings, their interpretation and recommendations for influenza and respiratory infectious diseases; design of surveillance projects, and outbreak investigations of infectious invasive and respiratory diseases.  Consults with physicians, healthcare facilities, state and national organizations, public health officials, and the public regarding the epidemiology of influenza and respiratory infectious diseases.  Develops protocols for program investigations in high profile settings and media-sensitive environments.  Prepares oral and written presentations describing the outcomes of epidemiologic investigations or surveillance findings. Coordinates with novel coronavirus, influenza, and COVID-19 subject matter experts for planning, surveillance, and response. Collaborates with other Unit staff in the planning, development, and implementation of field epidemiologic studies. Uses current data analysis and visualization platforms for the analysis, evaluation, interpretation, and display of data. Duties performed under limited supervision with extensive latitude for use of initiative and independent judgment.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 

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

(35%) Surveillance activities 

• Directs surveillance activities for influenza and other infectious respiratory diseases as a Subject Matter Expert (SME).
• Assists in the design, maintenance, and running of reports using a variety of data sources including National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NRVESS), Influenza-like Illness (ILINet), Texas Syndromic Surveillance (TxS2), Laboratory Response Network (LRN), and regional and local influenza data to inform stakeholders about influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity in Texas.
• Conducts quality checks and assessments of surveillance data. 
• Works with the Public Health Informatics & Data Exchange Group to update invasive and respiratory disease pages in the National Electronic Disease Surveillance System. 
• Establishes, manages, and coordinates syndromic and laboratory surveillance systems and reports on the occurrence of infectious invasive and respiratory diseases as well as other invasive respiratory diseases, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) surveillance.
• Ensures data entry instructions and procedures for infectious respiratory disease reporting are available. 
• Prepares disease summary reports using Word, Access, Epi Info, PowerPoint, Tableau, SAS, and/or Excel for distribution to local and regional health departments. 
• Ensures summary reports on diseases are available on the web site. 
• Assists in preparation of cooperative agreements. 
• Provides guidance on infectious respiratory disease surveillance plans for local and regional health departments. 
• Analyzes and interprets epidemiological data, including laboratory findings.
• Creates, maintains, and distributes databases using applications such as Excel, Access, Tableau, SAS and/or Epi Info.
• Oversees implementation and execution of Epidemiological Laboratory Capacity (ELC) grant activities related to influenza.

(25%) Epidemiologic studies and investigations

• Initiates, plans, implements, and directs epidemiological studies, surveillance projects, and outbreak investigations for novel influenza, influenza-associated pediatric mortality, and infectious respiratory diseases. 
• Assembles appropriate epidemiological, laboratory, and medical records resources and collaborates with epidemiology staff to address disease outbreak investigations or epidemiologic surveillance projects.
• Creates and updates forms, and other tools used for case investigations.
• Coordinates establishment and implementation of activities to improve outbreak response.
• Participates in respiratory disease outbreak investigations, such as influenza outbreaks, and studies by designing and modifying questionnaires or report forms, performing data analysis using statistical programs, and assisting with recommendations for control measures.

(25%) Oral and written communications activities 

• Provides epidemiologic consultations to medical and public health professionals on influenza and infectious respiratory diseases. 
• Prepares annual, monthly, and weekly reports and graphic presentations of surveillance and investigation data using EpiInfo, PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Access, LabWare, Tableau, SAS, and NEDSS-based system.
• Prepares information via the Emerging and Acute Infectious Disease Unit’s website. 
• Responds to information requests from the DSHS press office. 
• Prepares written manuscripts for publication in peer-review journals. 
• Using PowerPoint and other presentation tools, prepares and conducts oral presentations on infectious disease topics to various audiences, including medical providers, epidemiologists, and health department staff. 
• Uses Excel, PowerPoint, Word, SAS, Tableau, and/or ArcGIS, to prepare and visualize data to multiple audiences.
• Provides information to the public and news media.
• Drafts policy statements and guidance documents.

(10%) Leadership 

• Participates in the screening, interviewing, and selection of team members.
• Plans and directs projects for the team, makes sure deadlines are met, and makes assignments to individual team members.
• Assists the Group and Unit managers with establishing priorities for the team; then implements them. 
• Assesses training needs and makes recommendations for training; may provide on-the-job training and assist less experienced staff with the more complex issues and/or situations.  
• Attends and provides input at meetings pertaining to unit goals, objectives, and activities.
• Provides technical assistance to local and regional health departments.
• Serves as point of contact for the CDC on issues related to influenza and infectious respiratory disease surveillance and control.

(5%) Other Duties as Assigned

• Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or State Medical Operations Center (SMOC) activation.
• Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.    

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of contemporary principles of epidemiology
• Knowledge of biostatistics and Access, Epi Info, and Excel database management
• Knowledge of the rules and regulations governing the control of notifiable conditions
• Knowledge of database management
• Knowledge of the natural history and epidemiology of common infectious diseases, especially influenza
• Knowledge of the surveillance methods for common infectious diseases, especially influenza
• Knowledge of evidence-based interventions and control measures in response to epidemiologic findings
• Ability to manage intervention projects and facilitate workgroups
• Ability to train and/or supervise others
• Ability to plan, conduct, and report on epidemiologic investigations
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing and prepare grant applications and decision packages
• Ability to present statistical and technical data in a clear and concise format
• Ability to work effectively with regional and local health department personnel, private practice physicians, and hospital staff
• Ability to organize and maintain complex records and files
• Ability to initiate and manage multiple projects and deadlines
• Ability to function as a team member and collaborate with internal and external partners
• Ability to devise and develop solutions
• Skills in utilizing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Skill in conducting disease outbreak investigations
• Skill using statistical software packages

REGISTRATION, LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS OR CERTIFICATIONS:

None

INITIAL SCREENING CRITERIA:

• Master’s degree from a U.S. accredited college or university (or a foreign degree determined to be equivalent by an acceptable education evaluator) with a focus in epidemiology with 3 or more years of public health experience.

OR

• Professional doctoral degree (e.g., MD/DO, DDS/DMD/DVM) or doctoral degree with a focus in epidemiology from a U.S. accredited college or university (or a foreign degree determined to be equivalent by an acceptable education evaluator) with 2 or more years of public health experience.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 

An in-basket exercise will be required at the time of the interview.

Note: Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship. HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your 1-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Applicants will be required to complete an in-basket exercise. The full salary range may not be offered due to budget limitations.

For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at http://www.hr.sao.state.tx.us/Compensation/JobDescriptions.aspx

HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your 1-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. 1-9 Form -Click here to download the 1-9 form.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

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