Epidemiologist I

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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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Functional Title: Epidemiologist I 
Job Title: Epidemiologist I 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: Region 6/5 
Posting Number: 7230 
Closing Date: 08/22/2025 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-19 
Salary Range: $4,020.33 - $6,335.66 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework: Not Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 15% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: HOUSTON 
Job Location Address: 5425 POLK ST 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 230X,43EX,43HX,4E0X1,61G,HM,SEI12 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description

Under the general direction of the Epidemiology Manager, performs moderately complex investigative and consultative epidemiological work in Health Service Region 6/5 S related to waterborne, foodborne, vaccine-preventable, respiratory, and other reportable infectious disease illnesses.   Investigates and files infectious disease surveillance reports. Monitors and improves surveillance procedures. Responds to outbreaks of infectious diseases. Conducts epidemiological studies; performs data analysis; interprets and disseminates results. Serves as a consultant to health professionals and other partners on public health matters in the Region. Prepares public health information, training materials, and investigative tools for disease surveillance, quality assurance and investigation.   Works under general supervision with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Required to actively participate in on-call rotation as a member of the team to respond to calls referred by the answering service 24/7. Required to respond to public health emergencies which may require an alternate work shift and/or location. 

Essential Job Functions

CASE INVESTIGATIONS (45%) - Investigates naturally occurring disease outbreaks and bioterrorism events. Investigates and files communicable disease surveillance reports, and monitors and improves surveillance procedures.  Abstracts, reviews and interprets medical information, including labs. Collects epidemiological data, enters data into electronic systems and assures quality data entry. Completes investigations into communicable disease reports, consults with physicians, laboratories, hospital personnel and members of the public. Provides guidance and reports to various community stakeholders and the general public about infection control, communicable diseases, disease prevention, and the epidemiology of diseases. Produces reports based on communicable disease surveillance data. Initiates and conducts epidemiological studies related to the prevention and control of public health problems. Participates in call rotation to assure 24/7 availability on holidays, weekends, and after normal work hours.    

REPORTS AND ASSESSMENTS (30%) - Compiles and reports epidemiological and disease prevention information for use by the media, local health departments, other agency programs, outside agencies, and the general public. Prepares and presents speeches, technical reports and briefings. Participates in conducting educational programs on major public health issues. Assist with community assessments and implementation of identified mitigation strategies to reduce public health impacts or risks. Develops educational materials and implements training and education in communicable diseases, disease reporting requirements, infection control and prevention for health professionals, workplaces and the general public. Maintains updated region wide distribution list.

OUTBREAK RESPONSE (20%) - Aid the Region’s response to clusters and outbreaks of communicable diseases. Assists with epidemiological studies of clusters and outbreaks of communicable diseases to include biostatical analysis of data. Aids with epidemiological investigations conducted by outside agencies and organizations. Participates in the development of the Regional and Epidemiological Response plans and procedures.

OTHER DUTIES (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 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.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge of infectious diseases and reportable conditions requirements in Texas

Knowledge of the principles and methods of biostatistics and epidemiology, medical terminology, current public health programs

Knowledge of microbiological laboratory procedures related to the identification of infectious disease illnesses.

Knowledge of public health and the natural history of infectious diseases illnesses.

Knowledge of the epidemiology of respiratory infectious diseases.

Ability to accurately and efficiently enter data into agency required data systems and produce reports

Ability to analyze data and make recommendations

Ability to conduct disease surveillance and case investigations

Ability to work effectively with regional and local health department personnel, private physicians, hospital staff, laboratory staff, and the public

Ability to interview patients to collect clinical and exposure information

Ability to abstract clinical and laboratory data from patient medical charts and electronic laboratory reporting systems.

Ability to develop and deliver presentations.

Ability to implement systems necessary to collect, maintain, and analyze data.

Ability to interpret laboratory findings, physical signs/symptoms, and diagnostic test results from medical charts.

Skill in effective communication, verbal and written.

Skill in conducting disease outbreak investigations.

Skill in organizing resources and establishing priorities.

Skill in preparing written reports of epidemiologic investigations.

Skill in using microcomputers and software including specialized statistical software, GIS, NEDSS, and Microsoft.

Sill in maintaining confidentiality in all work and in maintaining case records from case-control studies.

Initial Selection Criteria

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or foreign equivalent as determined by a credential evaluation service required. Course work in Epidemiology required.
• Master's level degree (MPH, MSPH) or equivalent degree in a relevant field preferred. Course work in Epidemiology preferred.
• Work experience in Epidemiology, public health surveillance, or related experience preferred. 

Registration Or Licensure Requirements

Texas Class C Driver's license or a driver's license from another state with the ability and intent to obtain a Texas driver's license.

Additional Information

PLEASE NOTE: The posted salary range is the full range for this position. Agency salary policy, budget and candidate’s qualifications will dictate final salary offer. Typically, salary offers are at or near the midpoint of the range, depending on qualifications or other factors.

Your application must be complete. It must contain dates of employment, job titles, name of employer, name and phone number of supervisor, current/final salary, and a description of duties performed in a way that specifically demonstrates you meet the initial selection criteria at minimum. Missing information may lead to disqualification. Resumes are not a substitute for the information requested on the application.

Flexibility in work hours may be required by DSHS for this position. Occasional overtime and extended hours may be required. Candidates must be able to travel independently and adhere to agency travel policies. Travel required from main work location in Houston across the 16 counties in Public Health Region 6/5S and to other locations, as necessary, in the State of Texas, including the DSHS main campus in Austin. Travel is usually scheduled in advance to allow for advance planning.

For information about DSHS visit the Texas Department of State Health Services website (dshs.texas.gov). See also the federal information at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov).

In addition to rewarding, meaningful work, DSHS offers a variety of benefits, which can be found at https://ers.texas.gov/Benefits-at-a-Glance, and generous leave based on years of service. A list of State of Texas holidays is available at: http://www.hr.sao.texas.gov/Holidays.

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