Title: Epidemiologist

State Role Title: Scientist I

Hiring Range: $64,288 - $71,267.00

Pay Band: NV 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: Alexandria HQ

Agency Website: Vdh.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Alexandria Health Department (AHD) is looking to fill an entry-level epidemiologist. This position 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.

Participates in district and regional communicable disease (CD) and epidemiology activities to ensure timely detection and appropriate public health response in the community. Rotates responsibility as Alexandria Health Department (AHD) Epi Duty Officer and may serve in Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during emergencies. Works cooperatively with other members of the Epidemiology Team, demonstrating effective communication and problem-solving skills. Work with Alexandria (AHD) Epidemiology Supervisor who provides guidance and support for accomplishing tasks. Most day-to-day work actions and/or decisions are made with guidance or supervision from the supervisor and/or by following protocols for communicable disease investigation and response. Works cooperatively with other members of the Epidemiology Team, demonstrating effective communication and problem-solving skills. Assists epi team with prevention, management and mitigation of CD outbreaks, epidemics, and pandemics.

Alexandria Health Department (AHD) is one of 35 health districts in Virginia. As part of the Virginia Department of Health, AHD serves the residents, businesses, and visitors of Alexandria and works closely with the City of Alexandria and community partners to achieve its mission and vision. Alexandria, comprised of 15.75 square miles and a population of approximately 150,000, is the most densely populated city in Virginia and is rich in diversity and community engagement. AHD’s mission is “Protecting and Promoting Health and Well-Being in Our Communities” and our vision is “Healthy People, Healthier Communities.” We view “health” in the broadest sense and this drives our path towards continuous health improvement with a focus on equity of the social determinants of health.

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.

· 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.

· Willing and able to work evenings/weekends, rotate 24/7 epi duty officer phone and perform other duties

as required. Preferred qualifications include: Bachelor's degree or equivalent of experience with major

coursework in public health/epi; applied experience in communicable disease surveillance and/or

investigation; bilingual English/Spanish or multi-lingual English/Spanish/Arabic or Amharic

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.

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!

Contact Information

Name: Antonio Martin

Phone: 703.746.4996

Email: antonio.martin@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.