Title: Epidemiologist Senior
State Role Title: Scientist II
Hiring Range: $56,051 - $77,000
Pay Band: 5
Agency: Virginia Department of Health
Location: PIEDMONT HQ
Agency Website: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/piedmont/
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Job Duties
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is dedicated to protecting and promoting the health of Virginians. The VDH is made up of a statewide Central Office in Richmond and 33 local health districts. The Piedmont Health District proudly serves 7 counties and the local health departments within, including Prince Edward, Amelia, Nottoway, Lunenburg, Charlotte, Buckingham and Cumberland. The position advertised is home-based at the Piedmont District Office in Farmville but may be required to travel to any of the 7 local health departments within the district as needed. Mileage will be reimbursed per the standard mileage rate.
The senior-level epidemiologist is responsible for carrying out a broad and moderately complex range of investigative and analytical epidemiologic activities in an assigned district or within a statewide program area. Positions in this role coordinate a specific epidemiology program within an area to include interpreting program policies and procedures, providing training, monitoring and reviewing data collection/analysis for accuracy and consistency, and serving as a program consultant. Positions in this role may lead scientific teams and be responsible for performing a full range of coordinating and supportive duties and responsibilities, including coordinating activities with and making disease control recommendations to external partners. Positions in this role work under the limited supervision of a lead epidemiologist, program manager, district health director, nurse manager, or similar position and perform assignments independently, making determinations about scope and direction of program planning, research and investigation, based on agreed upon direction and institutional review board approval, as needed. Typically, the work completed is reviewed to evaluate overall results prior to data dissemination.
The district senior-level epidemiologist will have supervisor responsibilities for a deputy epidemiologist and other associated epidemiology staff. Disease surveillance activities will include site visits across the district and pick-up of specimen collection when required for an investigation.
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.
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
1. A pre-appointment criminal record check and a background investigation are required.
2. Considerable knowledge of the cause, transmission, treatment, & prevention of communicable diseases & other conditions of public health importance.
3. Considerable knowledge of methods of investigating disease cases, clusters, & outbreaks.
4. Considerable knowledge of federal & state laws, regulations, & policies regarding public health & the reporting & control of disease.
5. Working knowledge of biostatistics, analysis & interpretation of data, & data management techniques.
6. Demonstrated ability to develop program goals & objectives & to evaluate program effectiveness.
7. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
8. Demonstrated ability to collect, quality assure, analyze, interpret, & present
statistical data.
9. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively orally & in writing with health care professionals & the general public.
10. Considerable experience in epidemiology, public health, or a related area.
11. Basic knowledge of and skill sets related to statistical software packages.
Additional Considerations
1. Graduation from an accredited college or university with advanced course work in public health, epidemiology, or biostatistics or equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience.
2. Experience w/database management systems, especially those used to manage population-based disease data or other conditions of public health significance.
3. Demonstrated ability to lead & direct the work of others either in a supervisory or project management capacity.
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.
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.
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.
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: Hope Bates
Phone: 434-392-3984
Email: Hope.Bates@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.