Title: Cent Shen-August/Staunton -TW

State Role Title: Scientist I

Hiring Range: $53,560- $61,532

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: Cent Shen-August/Staunton -TW

Agency Website: www.vdh.virginian.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The entry-level 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.

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.
A. Performance Management (for employees who supervise others)
• Serves in a managerial/supervisory capacity and conducts performance management activities for staff
• Establishes and reviews work assignments and priorities, and resolves related issues, in conjunction with program management and Human Resource staff
• Ensures relevant training and workplace safety for staff and conducts appropriate performance monitoring and appraisals
B. 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.
A. 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.

B. 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.
C. 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.
• Demonstrated ability to collect, analyze, and present statistical data.
• Some experience in epidemiology, public health, or a related area.


D. 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.
. May be required to perform other duties as assigned. May be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor. May be required by VDH to adjust work hours, location, and job duties and participate in training to meet public health business needs, including emergencies. If this position is designated as a mobile worker, this includes both working in the field and teleworking at an alternate location when not in the field or during an emergency closing. You may be required to periodically come into your assigned office to attend meetings or training.

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. Supplemental questions are encouraged to be answered in a comprehensive manner and reference any pertinent knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as any previous experience that relates to the 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.

Contact Information

Name: Angie Muller

Phone: 540-332-7830

Email: angie.mueller@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.