Epidemiologist

This is a full-time, FLSA-exempt position with Health & Human Services, located in Carson City, NV. Responsible for conducting disease surveillance and recommending disease control measures; evaluates public health data including unusual occurrences of health conditions; functions as a member of a multidisciplinary outbreak investigation and response team; provides epidemiologic information to the medical community and general public. 

This is a grant-funded position and, as such, employees are responsible for knowing abiding by the rules of the grant.  This position will continue to be funded as long as the grant is renewed.

To learn more about the Nevada Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS),click here(Download PDF reader).  

Please Note: Human Resources determines whether or not you meet the minimum qualifications for the job based on your experience as you describe it on your application. Do not substitute a resume for your application or write "See Attached Resume" on your application. We do not review resumes, unless specifically stated on the job announcement. Qualifying education and experience must be clearly documented in the "Education and Work Experience" section of the application. Applicants not meeting these requirements will not be considered for employment.

** This recruitment will remain open until recruitment needs are satisfied. Individuals are encouraged to apply immediately, as hiring may occur early in the recruiting process. Recruitment will close without notice when a sufficient number of applications are received or a hiring decision has been made. **

This class specification lists the major duties and requirements of the job and is not all-inclusive.  Incumbent(s) may be expected to perform job-related duties other than those contained in this document and may be required to have specific job-related knowledge and skills.

• Interviews cases, contacts, and suspected disease carriers.
• Evaluates and investigates reports of unusual disease occurrence from laboratories, physicians and others.
• Participates in field investigations at hospitals, physician offices, laboratories, clinics, food establishments, childcare facilities, correctional facilities or other locations as necessary to complete epidemiologic investigations.
• Designs instruments for the collection and analysis of disease-related data.
• Collaborates with inter-disciplinary personnel from other departments and public and private agencies to coordinate and augment case findings and surveillance and risk reduction activities based on analysis using established parameters.
• Using data from surveillance, investigations or other sources, defines and maintains databases and organizes data for analysis and interpretation.
• Generates reports including progress reports of fieldwork.
• May provide training to staff, students and volunteers.
• May conduct informational programs to assist health care professionals, educators, social workers, and members of other groups in understanding the problems of target groups.
• Applies principles of good ethical/legal practice as they relate to study design and data collection, dissemination, and use, including laws regarding confidentiality, privacy, and human subjects research, Institutional Review Board processes and Public Records Act/Freedom of Information Act procedures.
• Conducts community health assessments to investigate specific agents that may impact health; and designs data collection forms and enters data into computer.
• Conducts special projects as required.
• Responds to inquiries regarding state laws, regulations, policies and procedures governing the investigation and reporting of acute and chronic diseases.
• Promotes and supports the overall mission of CCHHS by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with customers and staff; acts in a manner that promotes a harmonious and effective workplace environment.
• Performs duties as assigned in the event of a public health emergency.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Education and Experience:

Education, training, and/or experience that demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills and abilities listed above. Qualifying education/experience: 

• A master's degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency in public health with specialization in epidemiology, bio-statistics, or a related field; OR,
• A bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency in epidemiology, bio-statistics, public health, life science or related field, AND, two (2) years of experience in a public health, medical or community services agency, which must have included responsibility for designing instruments for collecting and analyzing epidemiological or demographic data, and interpreting findings pertaining to such data and disease investigation or interviewing clients and or patients.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS:

• Valid Driver’s License.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES 

Knowledge of: 

• Literature sources pertaining to epidemiology and communicable disease control
• Epidemiological trends and disease patterns, their characteristics, and possible causation
• Statistical theory, concepts, techniques and analyses used in epidemiological, demographic, health and bio-medical research
• Disease or injury surveillance methods
• Review and evaluation techniques and methods
• Methods of collecting, compiling and analyzing statistical and other research data
• Interviewing techniques
• Computer programming and processing methods to generate, organize, and display a wide variety of complex statistical and other research data
• Accepted techniques of disease or injury control
• Ethical and legal practices related to public health
• Health Department customer service objectives and strategies
• Telephone, office, and online etiquette
• Current technology and trends in the profession 
• Principles and practices of epidemiology and biostatistics
• Principles of Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Principles and practices of disease investigation, surveillance and response
• Analysis of primary and secondary public health and clinical data
• Database development, maintenance and utilization
• Principles and practices of preparing and presenting educational materials and programs
• Computer applications related to the work
• Correct business English, including spelling, grammar and punctuation
• Principles and practices for serving as an effective project team member
• Techniques for working with a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds

Skills and Abilities to: 

• Organize and design an efficient plan for collecting and summarizing varied and complex field data
• Apply mathematical formulas and make calculations necessary to select and apply appropriate statistical methods for collecting and summarizing varied and complex field data
• Use tact and persuasion in eliciting information, explaining and advocating research objectives and methods
• Plan, initiate and complete work assignments with minimal supervision
• Explain technical information to staff and the public
• Interpret and recommend enforcement of laws and regulations relating to disease and injury control
• Prepare clear and concise technical reports for lay and professional readers
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Establish effective working relationships with management, employees, employee representatives and the public representing diverse cultures and backgrounds
• Communicate effectively with a variety of individuals representing diverse cultures and backgrounds and function calmly in situations which require a high degree of sensitivity, tact and diplomacy 
• Provide responsive, high-quality service to employees, representatives of outside agencies and members of the public by providing accurate, complete and up-to-date information, in a courteous, efficient and timely manner
• Perform and document epidemiological investigative work
• Develop disease control, intervention, and prevention plans
• Interpret and report statistical data
• Prepare educational and informational materials
• Work without close supervision in standard work situations
• Use initiative and independent judgment within general policy guidelines
• Contribute effectively to the accomplishment of team or work unit goals, objectives and activities

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:

Under General Supervision - Incumbents at this level are given assignments and objectives that are governed by specifically outlined work methods and a sequence of steps, which are explained in general terms. The responsibility for achieving the work objectives, however, rests with a superior. Immediate supervision is not consistent, but checks are integrated into work processes and/or reviews are frequent enough to ensure compliance with instructions. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORKING ENVIRONMENT:The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

Mobility to work in a typical office setting, use standard office equipment and stamina to sit for extended periods of time; strength to lift and carry up to 20 pounds; vision to read printed materials; and hearing and speech to communicate in person or over the telephone; ability to operate a motor vehicle and safely travel to a variety of offsite locations. Work is subject to exposure to human body fluids.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

1. Unclassified employees are “At Will” and as such, may be terminated at any time for any reason, or no reason.
2. Continued employment is contingent upon all required licenses and certificates being maintained in active status without suspension or revocation.
3. Any City employee may be required to stay at or return to work during emergencies to perform duties specific to this classification or to perform other duties as requested in an assigned response position. This may require working a non-traditional work schedule or working outside normal assigned duties during the incident and/or emergency.
4. Employees may be required to complete Incident Command System training as a condition of continuing employment.
5. New employees are required to submit to a fingerprint-based background investigation which cost the new employee $47.00 and a drug screen which costs $36.50.  Employment is contingent upon passing the background and the drug screen.
6. Carson City participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each applicant’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.  All candidates who are offered employment with Carson City must complete Section 1 of the Form I-9 along with the required proof of their right to work in the United States and proof of their identity prior to starting employment.   Please be prepared to provide required documentation as soon as possible after the job offer is made.  For additional information regarding acceptable documents for this purpose, please contact Human Resources at 775.887.2103 or go to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services web page at www.uscis.gov.
7. Carson City is an Equal Opportunity Employer.