Title: EPIDEMIOLOGIST

State Role Title: Scientist I

Hiring Range: $59,696- $64,526

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: VIRGINIA BEACH HQ

Agency Website: 

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Beach Department of Public Health has a fulltime opening for an Epidemiologist I to join our team. This Epidemiologist position is responsible for carrying out a range of investigative and analytical epidemiologic activities related to the surveillance, detection, and/or prevention of communicable diseases reportable under the Code of Virginia. Responsibilities include consulting on scientific and technical issues, conducting routine as well as rapid and emergent epidemiologic investigations, outbreak management, data collection/analysis, and providing health education and disease control recommendations. Our team works closely with our community partners and conducting field work is required.

Virginia Beach is the largest city in Virginia with a population of 460k. Our 6-member Epidemiology team is dedicated to providing a safe community for all living, working and visiting our city. 

Health Care Personnel: VDH requires all Health-Care Personnel (HCP) to provide documentation of immunization or evidence of immunity to the following: hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella; a one-time dose of tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine regardless of the interval since the last dose of tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccine was administered (Td or Tdap boosters shall be received every 10 years); and the current year's seasonal influenza vaccination.

Restricted Position: This is a restricted position which is solely funded by the Public Health Infrastructure Grant, renewable annually in September. Employment is contingent on the continued availability of grant funds.

Benefits: 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.

This position consist of Epidemiologic Assessment, Surveillance and/or other Data Related Activities, Data Quality Management, Data Analysis & Reporting, Administration, Program Planning & Communications, Epidemiologic Investigations & Technical Consultation.

Epidemiologic Assessment, Surveillance and/or other Data Related 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.

 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.

Data Analysis & 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, area-based socio-economic 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.

 Administration, Program Planning & Communications

•  Participates in writing grants and other funding proposals. Participates on internal committees and workgroups related to areas of expertise.
  
• Conducts literature reviews.

Epidemiologic Investigations & 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, health-care providers, and others involved; and assisting in collecting data from local agencies or other health entities.
  
  

Minimum Qualification

• 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 population-based disease data.
  

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position. VDH accepts only on-line applications. Faxed, mailed, or e-mailed 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.

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

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: www.vdh.virginia.gov.

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 position-specific 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: Cydnee Stuckey

Phone: 757-278- 6692

Email: cydnee.stuckey@vdh.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s 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). Service-Connected 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 800-552-5019.

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.