EPIDEMIOLOGIST
Basic Purpose:
Positions
in this job family are assigned responsibilities involving the surveillance,
investigation, and evaluation of communicable or chronic diseases, injuries or
conditions, and assists in the planning and implementation of epidemiological
programs to prevent and control diseases, injuries, or conditions.
Typical Functions:
The
functions within this job family will vary by level, but may include the
following:
· Participates
in research activities, special investigations and descriptive and analytic
studies relating to specific diseases; interprets results and adapts to
epidemiology programs and related programs.
· Prepares
technical reports and scientific articles and participates in grant writing
activities.
· Designs and implements
epidemiological studies and surveillance systems.
· Determines and
utilizes appropriate statistical methods to evaluate and interpret data.
· Interacts with
the media and conveys information to the public.
· Provides
consultation to health care professionals, community organizations, and others
on specific disease, injury, or conditions.
· Lectures for
various organizations on diseases, injuries, or conditions; prepares
educational materials for public distribution.
· Interprets
data to determine risks from exposure to chemicals or biological agents.
LEVEL DESCRIPTORS:
The
Epidemiologist job family has four levels which are distinguished by the depth
and breadth of accountability, the expertise required to perform assigned
duties and the responsibility assigned for the leadership of others.
This
is the basic level of this job family where employees are assigned
responsibilities at the entry level of professional work. This includes performing data collection;
analyzing data using basic epidemiological methods; participating in
workgroups; and effectively communicating both orally and in writing.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of
epidemiology methods, human biology, laboratory methods, environmental analyses
interpretation, parasitology, toxicology, immunology and pathology; of medical
terminology; of statistical analysis, biometry, and demography; of
epidemiological or statistical software; of social and economic conditions; and
of current epidemiological developments and techniques. Ability is required to establish and
maintain effective working relationships with others; to meet with the public
and conduct public information programs; to write technical and non-technical information
material; and to use a personal computer and applicable software.
Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of a master’s degree in public health, biological, medical, or health science which includes 6 semester hours in epidemiological methods and 6 semester hours of other epidemiological coursework and 9 semester hours in statistical methods and analysis.
Level II Code: X27B Salary
Band: L
This
is the career level of this job family where employees are assigned responsibilities
for performing a more advanced and complex level of professional work. This may include coordinating surveillance
activities, special investigations, descriptive and analytical studies or
research projects; preparing technical reports and scientific articles;
participating in grant writing; preparing educational materials for public
distribution; coordinating workgroups to update data collection tools; and
mentoring lower level epidemiological staff and providing training
opportunities.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at
this level include those identified in Level I plus knowledge of environmental
toxicology, intervention strategies, diagnostic laboratory methods, and medical
microbiology. Ability is required to
manipulate large databases.
Education and Experience requirements
at this level consist of a master’s degree in Epidemiology and one year of
experience in a field involving the use of epidemiological research,
investigation, and analysis or a doctorate in epidemiology.
Level III Code: X27C Salary
Band: N
This
is the specialist level where employees are assigned responsibilities for
performing advanced and/or specialized professional work which may include
extensive research in a specific field such as enteric diseases, cancer,
chronic and infectious diseases, trend analysis, injury clusters, and
geographic/population/culture demographic; and development of quality assurance
methods for data collection and analysis.
Designs and implements epidemiological studies, surveillance systems, or
evaluations; coordinates grant writing and prepares grant-related reports;
participates in interagency committees or task forces. May supervise, plan, or distribute work to
others. This may include mentoring of
Level I and II positions.
Knowledge, Skills and
Abilities
required at this level include those identified in Level II plus knowledge of
grant writing, and quality assurance methods for data collection and
analysis. Ability is required to
develop and implement intervention and prevention strategies as identified
through data analysis.
Education and
Experience
requirements at this level consist of those identified in Level II and three
years of experience in a field involving the use of epidemiological techniques
and analysis; or a doctorate in epidemiology and one year of qualifying
experience.
At
this level employees are assigned responsibilities for assisting in the
direction of comprehensive statewide epidemiology programs, disease
surveillance and investigation systems, and the coordination of program
activities with other public health programs of the state. In this role they will assist in budgeting
and planning for future program direction; set standards within state and federal
guidelines; direct studies of program needs; review and analyze information
from studies and projects for immediate and long-range program development;
direct staff training programs; make recommendations concerning legislation;
and supervise epidemiological personnel.
This includes developing and directing statewide epidemiological
services.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include those identified in
Level III plus knowledge of state and federal law and regulation relating to the
administration of public health programs; and the principles of management and
evaluation of public health. Ability to
assess, plan, coordinate, implement, and evaluate the activities of multiple
work units; and to supervise, organize, and instruct staff.
Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of those
identified in Level III and five years of experience in a field involving the
use of epidemiological techniques and analysis; or a doctorate in epidemiology
and two years of qualifying experience.
SELECTIVE QUALIFICATIONS:
Some
positions may require specific education and experience and no substitution
will be allowed.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Applicants must be willing and able to fulfill all job-related travel normally associated with this position.