Epidemiologist

Title: Epidemiologist

State Role Title: Scientist I

Hiring Range: $58000.00 $62258.00

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location:RAPPAHANNOCKHQ

Agency Website: Type: General Public G

Job Duties

This is a restricted position which is solely funded by the Public Health Workforce Infrastructure Grant for period ending 2026.. The availability of funding is scheduled for review (enter annually if funded by nongeneral funds or enter before the grant expiration date if grant funded) and periodically thereafter. Continued employment is contingent on the continued availability of funds.

The entrylevel epidemiologist is responsible for carrying out a range of investigative and analytical epidemiologic activities related to the surveillance detection and/or prevention of public health events in an assigned district or within a statewide program area. Responsibilities include consulting on scientific and technical issues conducting routine epidemiologic investigations data collection/analysis and providing health education and disease control recommendations. Positions in this role typically work under the close supervision of a more senior epidemiologist or similar position and the work is assigned and reviewed for conformance with overall requirements contribution to the assignment objectives consistency of facts and figures analytical methodology and practicality of recommendations.

1. Performance Mgmt (Supervisors)
Not applicable
2. Epidemiologic Assessment Surveillance and/or other Datarelated Activities
Assists with the identification of surveillance data needs and implementation of new or revisions to existing surveillance systems including data collection receipt handling and processing. Reports key findings from the surveillance system and supports surveillance system evaluation.
Assesses events of public health significance pertinent to affected and/or target populations and integrates adapts and evaluates data through a diversity and/or health equity lens.
Performs analyses using statistical techniques commonly employed in epidemiologic evaluations to interpret and assess observed health phenomena. Generates descriptive analyses of surveillance data for a variety of audiences.
3. Data Quality Management
Uses software tools for data quality activities involving dataset preparation for continuous quality improvements in data accuracy program review data matching (deterministic and probabilistic) data standardization etc. Analyzes and cleans data in multiple ways to assure accuracy and quality.
4. Administration Program Planning and Communications
Participates in writing grants and other funding proposals. Participates on internal committees and workgroups related to areas of expertise.
Conducts literature reviews.
5. Data Analysis and Reporting
Assists with analyses and report preparation of surveillance or other data involving events of public health significance using established epidemiologic techniques as well as use of information from the social/behavioral sciences and programmatic evaluation. Follows direction from higher level epidemiologists and administrative staff.
Uses appropriate software for data analysis and reporting based on core responsibilities. Uses agency metadata and other available data sources (e.g. Census Bureau areabased socioeconomic measures) as appropriate.
Makes oral presentations to diverse audiences both scientific and nonscientific.
Prepares data requests and other program responses to requests for information.
Uses established data confidentiality procedures for the protection of personally identified information.
6. Epidemiologic Investigations and Technical Consultation
Participates in developing epidemiologic investigations. Uses established scientific and technical methods and practices to identify and evaluate events of public health significance within an assigned program area to recognize public health problems pertinent to the population and to determine feasibility of and approach to epidemiologic investigations.
Participates in conducting outbreak response activities and other epidemiologic investigations by assisting with onsite review of facilities and procedures; interviewing patients healthcare providers and others involved; and assisting in collecting data from local agencies or other health entities.
7. Other Duties
May be required to perform other duties; may include functions in support of an emergency declaration

The Virginia Department of Health offers 12 paid holidays medical dental vision and life insurance retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan) as well as sick family/personal and annual leave.

Minimum Qualifications

Basic knowledge of the cause transmission treatment and prevention of communicable diseases and other conditions of public health importance.
Basic knowledge of methods of public health surveillance and disease outbreak investigations.
Working knowledge of biostatistics computer data analysis data quality assurance and data management techniques.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Strong customer service skills.
Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Demonstrated ability to collect analyze and present statistical data.
Some experience in epidemiology public health or a related area.

Additional Considerations

Training/experience in public health epidemiology or biostatistics.
Some knowledge of federal and state laws regulations and policies regarding the reporting and control of disease.
Working knowledge of statistical software packages.
Experience with database management systems especially those used to manage populationbased disease data.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or rsum is submitted successfully. Please refer to Your Application in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a state and federal criminal history background check and the Department of Social Services Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check U.S. HHSIG Exclusion List check employment reference check and EVerify. Other financial credit driving background checks or completion of Statement of Economic Interests may be required for certain positions.

VDH accepts only online applications. Faxed mailed or emailed applications will not be considered. Applications are accepted until 11:55 p.m. on the job closing date. Applications and/or resumes should include relevant work history which indicates your qualifications for this position.

It is the policy of the Commonwealth and VDH that all aspects of human resource management be conducted without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture hair type and protective hairstyles such as braids locks and twists); sex; color; national origin; religion; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age; veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and pregnancy childbirth or related medical conditions. VDH employees have a shared Code of Ethics which can be found in the bottom banner of our website: .

If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card) you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.

As a V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) employer VDH Welcomes Veterans to apply!

Supplemental Questions: You may be required to respond to positionspecific questions at the end of this application. This information will help us evaluate your credentials and qualifications for the job. Failure to respond to any questions may disqualify you from further consideration.

Contact Information

Name: Michelle McKinney

Phone:

Email:

In support of the Commonwealths commitment to inclusion we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS) or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). ServiceConnected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation if applicable to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1 2022 February 29 2024 can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.