Epidemiologist - Houston, United States - Harris County (TX)

Description

Position Description

Harris County Public Health has earned the 2023 Best Place for Working Parents Business Designation.

About

Harris County Public Health:

Harris County Public Health (HCPH) includes a network of more than 700 public health professionals working together to improve health outcomes for the third most populous county in the United States.

HCPH provides a multitude of services such as medical and dental services, community programming, and health education for the approximately 2.3 million people in unincorporated Harris County.

Through its core values of innovation, engagement, and health equity, HCPH strives to bring meaningful solutions to public health issues while keeping Harris County healthy and vibrant.

Position Overview:

Under the supervision of the Communicable Disease Manager and the Team Lead, the Epidemiologist applies principles of Epidemiology to disease control activities and service issues related to public health preparedness within the jurisdiction of HCPH.

Of particular importance is the prevention and control of notifiable conditions and communicable diseases, including diseases related to potential Bioterrorism/Chemical/Radiological agents, and the proper surveillance and reporting of normal disease occurrence and outbreak situations.

The Epidemiologist also contributes to the analysis and report writing of disease conditions.


Duties & Responsibilities:
Epidemiology Duties

• Conduct epidemiology surveillance investigations for notifiable conditions and conditions of public health significance, including outbreaks, targeted active surveillance, and public health emergencies. Activities include interpretation of laboratory testing results and coordination for specimen collection.
• Provide consultation and make recommendations for control measures and prevention based on public health guidelines.
• Report case investigations through the surveillance data management system.
• Provide 24/7 disease surveillance coverage on a rotating basis with other epidemiologists.

Research, Data Analysis, and Reports

• Participate in research activities which may include the design, preparation, and review of reports from analyses of surveillance data, literature reviews, and other information. Produce or contribute to special reports and statistical analysis of epidemiological investigations to ensure readiness for responding to Bioterrorism, outbreaks of infectious diseases, and other public health threats and emergencies. These may include activities such as monthly morbidity reports and outbreak investigation summary reports.

Outreach

• Establish and maintain relationships with hospital infection control preventionists, school health care coordinators, and nurses to promote reporting of Texas notifiable conditions. Initiate active surveillance in daycares, schools, and long-term care facilities etc. when an outbreak occurs.
• Provide educational presentations based on surveillance data and other information tailored to diverse audiences and community partners, such as schools.
• Other duties as assigned including special tasks involved with responding to emergency events.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

If you need special services or accommodations, please call or email

Requirements


Education:

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Public Health disciplines such as Epidemiology, biomedical sciences, statistics, or related science degree.

Experience:

• At least one (1) year of experience working in a public health-related area, such as local health department disease investigation, college or university public health project, clinical or public health laboratory, disease surveillance, or statistical project.
• Ability to write reports and technical papers.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Proficiency with statistical analysis software (SPSS, STATA, SAS, R, or Epi Info).
• Valid Driver's License (Texas upon hire) along with a good driving record for regular local travel when needed to attend other local health departments or State, Regional Health department meetings and trainings.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Proficient in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Proficient with statistical analysis software (SPSS, STATA, SAS, R, or Epi Info)
• Excellent communication skills (verbal & written)
• Ability to write reports and technical papers
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and foster teamwork in a diverse environment
• Ability to maintain confidentiality when dealing with sensitive information
• Ability to work well with public and staff members
• Use your personal mobile device for our Multifactor Authentication process

Core Competencies:
Organizational Leadership

• Understands the organizational mission
• Understands ethics and public good; is concerned with public trust
• Demonstrates respect for the opinions and beliefs of others

Collaboration

• Contributes to an inclusive workplace where equity, diversity, inclusion, and individual differences are valued and leveraged to achieve the vision and mission
• Demonstrates a sense of responsibility for the success of the group
• Collaborates with others to improve quality and address needs

Innovation

• Ability to adapt to change

Interpersonal Abilities/Personal Characteristics

• Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect
• Behaves in an honest, fair, and ethical manner
• Assesses and recognizes own strengths and weaknesses
• Uses sound judgment
• Self-motivated
• Organizes and maintains work environment to allow for maximum productivity

Communication

• Communicates clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing

NOTE:
Qualifying education, experience, knowledge and skills must be documented on your job application.

You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration.

"See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

General Information

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

• This is a full-time position.
• Days and hours of work are typically Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 5 pm.
• Other days and hours as necessary.

Work Environment:

• This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Physical Demands:

• This is a largely sedentary role; however, some duties would require the ability to lift up to 20 pounds and bending & standing for periods at a time.

Work Location:

• 
  Harris County Public Health: Office of Epidemiology, Surveillance, and Emerging Diseases Fannin St. Houston, Texas

Employment is contingent upon passing a background check and drug screen.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.

BENEFITS

Harris County offers a competitive benefits program, including comprehensive group health and related benefits plan as well as defined benefit retirement plan.

The following list of benefits is offered only to employees in regular (full-time) positions:

• Medical Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Wellness Plan
• Life Insurance
• Long-term disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• Ten (10) days of vacation each year for the first five (5) years of service
• Accrual rates increase based on years of service
• Eleven (11) County-observed holidays and one (1) floating holiday
• Professional development opportunities
• Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan
• Healthcare Reimbursement Account
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

The following benefits are also available to regular (full-time) employment and may be available to part-time employees:

• Retirement Pension (TCDRS)
• Flexible schedule (varies by department)
• Transportation Assistance (Metro RideSponsor Program)

In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, Group Health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time.

Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.

For plan details, visit the Harris County benefits website:
01

Which of the following best describes your highest level of education completed as it relates to this position?

• High School or GED diploma
• Associate Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or higher
• None of the above

02

If you selected a college degree in response to the previous question, which of the following best describes your major?

• Epidemiology
• Biomedical Sciences
• Statistics
• Other Related Field
• Unrelated Field
• N/A; No Degree

03

Please describe your educational background including level of education completed, area of study and completed major and minor programs.

04

Which of the following best describes your verifiable experience working in a public health-related area, such as local health department disease investigation, college or university public health project, clinical or public health laboratory, disease surveillance, or statistical project? (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history)]

• Less than one (1) year.
• One (1) year or more
• I do not have this experience

05

Please provide details about your verifiable experience working in a public health-related area, such as local health department disease investigation, college or university public health project, clinical or public health laboratory, disease surveillance, or statistical project.

Do not use "Please see Resume" or "See Resume" (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history) Please include your (a) role(s), (b) types of organizations, (c) scope of duties and responsibilities If you do not have this experience, please type "None" in the space provided.

]

06

Which of the following statistical analysis software do you have proficiency in?

• SPSS
• STATA
• SAS
• R
• Epi
• None of these

07

Do you have proficiency with statistical analysis software?

• Yes
• No

08

If you answered yes in regards to the previous question(s), please describe your verifiable experience


NOTE:
Please DO NOT use "See Resume" as we do not use resumes for qualifications. (Type N/A if not applicable)

09

This role requires a Valid Driver's License (Texas upon hire) Do you have a Valid Driver's License?

• Yes

, I have a Valid Texas Driver's License

• Yes

, I have a Valid Driver's License but understand I must obtain a Valid Texas Driver's License prior to start date

• No

, I'm not interested

Required Question

Agency Harris County

Address 1111 Fannin St

Ste. 600

Houston, Texas, 77002

Phone

Website