Title: Epidemiologist Senior

State Role Title: Scientist II

Hiring Range: $88,457.25 - $89,522.00

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: Cent Shen-August/Staunton -TW

Agency Website: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/central-shenandoah/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

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 and making disease control recommendations to external partners. Performs 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.

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. Epi Assessment, Surveillance, and Data Related Activities
• Uses existing surveillance systems appropriately, with attention to accuracy and detail.
• Provides training and evaluation for the use of surveillance systems by others.
• Designs and manages surveillance systems for events of public health significance.
• Oversees the design and implementation of instruments for the collection of surveillance info and other public health data and implements new or revises existing surveillance systems.
• Reports key findings and performs evaluations of surveillance systems.
• Plans, conducts, and directs epidemiologic studies as requested to include outbreak investigations and analytic studies to address public health problems and to plan programs.
• Validates identification of public health problems pertinent to the population.
• Assesses events of public health significance pertinent to affected or target populations and integrates, adapts and evaluates data through a diversity or health equity lens.

C. Epi Investigations and Technical Consultation
• Plans and conducts moderately complex epidemiologic studies, investigations and outbreak response activities to address important public health events of public health significance and improve program operations.
• Identifies and evaluates a wide range of health conditions/complexities within a local health district recognizing public health problems pertinent to the population and to determine feasibility and approach to epidemiologic investigations.
• Conducts case, cluster, and outbreak investigations, including onsite review of facilities and procedures; interviewing patients, health-care provider, and others involved; and collecting data from relevant health entities.
• Analyzes and interprets data, makes recommendations, and writes report of findings.
• Serves as a recognized scientific consultant on epidemiologic issues requiring application of advanced scientific, technical methods and practices. Provides health education and ensures disease control recommendations are implemented in a timely and appropriate manner.
• Collaborates with partners (community, VDH, other agencies) as necessary to prevent and control the spread of disease.
• Provides technical assistance to various public, private, and nonprofit health and health-related state and local agencies and organizations, with respect to surveillance and other epidemiologic data and evaluation.
• Works as a liaison to outside data-generating and healthcare entities to develop and maintain community partnerships and provides leadership in work unit for epidemiologic functions.
• Assists with training for internal staff and external partners in the conduct of investigations and appropriate methods of controlling diseases and preventing injuries.

D. Data Analysis and Reporting
• Coordinates and performs 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.
• Uses appropriate software for data analysis, visualization and reporting. Uses agency metadata and other available data sources (e.g. Census Bureau, area-based socio-economic measures, and other secondary data sources), as appropriate.
• Develops methods for and conducts complex data analyses (e.g., multiple regression, confounding assessment, as well as other descriptive and moderately complex analyses) for multiple audiences.
• Develops and provides recommendations to officials regarding the control of disease and other public health problems on the basis of results from surveillance, field investigations, public health research, laboratory tests, and acceptable methods.
• Makes presentations of data to diverse audiences as requested.
• Prepares and reviews data requests and information as requested.
• Uses established data confidentiality procedures for the protection of personally identified information.


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.

This is a restricted position, which is solely funded by the PHEP grant for 3 years ending 5/31/2029. The availability of funding is scheduled for review before the grant expiration date and periodically thereafter. Continued employment is contingent on the continued availability of funds.

Minimum Qualifications

• Considerable knowledge of the cause, transmission, treatment, and prevention of communicable diseases and other conditions of public health importance.
• Considerable knowledge of methods of investigating disease cases, clusters, and outbreaks.
• Considerable knowledge of federal and state laws, regulations, and policies regarding public health and the reporting and control of disease.
• Working knowledge of biostatistics, analysis and interpretation of data, and data management techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to develop program goals and objectives and to evaluate program effectiveness.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to collect, quality assure, analyze, interpret, and present statistical data.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with health care professionals and the general public.
• Considerable experience in epidemiology, public health, or a related area.
• Basic knowledge and proficiency utilizing statistical software packages.

Additional Considerations

• Training or experience in public health, epidemiology or biostatistics
• Experience with database management systems, especially those used to manage population-based disease data or other conditions of public health significance.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and direct the work of others 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.

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: Michelle McKinney

Phone: 540-706-3307

Email: Michelle.McKinney@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.