Epidemiologist

Are you a dedicated professional looking for a meaningful role to showcase your scientific and technical abilities in support of advancing important public health goals? The Epidemiologist position with the Department of Health offers a chance to apply your analytical skills to protect communities across the state. You will help guide programs that reduce overdoses and promote safer outcomes. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys solving problems and working with data to make a real difference. Join a team that values your dedication to public health and evidence based action.

This role focuses on supporting overdose prevention efforts and strengthening data driven public health programs. The work involves evaluation, analysis, research, and communication to improve statewide outcomes. As an Epidemiologist, you will perform the following duties:

• Evaluation Leadership: Lead development and use of evaluation tools to assess overdose prevention programming and support improvements
• Data Analysis: Analyze overdose and prescription drug monitoring program data using statistical software to create reports and guide program decisions
• Research Support: Design and conduct epidemiological studies that address trends in controlled substance use and overdose
• Information Sharing: Present findings through reports, conferences, and publications to build awareness and support public health initiatives
• Program Oversight: Provide direction to contracted staff who contribute to fatal overdose surveillance and related activities
• Grant Preparation: Assist in developing grant applications and required reports by presenting data and project information

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 37.5 hours per week
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 60-minute lunch.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, up to three days per week on Monday, Thursday, and Friday. You will report to the office on Tuesday and Wednesday. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg, PA. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Possession of either a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in epidemiology, Doctoral degree in Medicine (MD), Osteopathy (DO), Dental Surgery/Medicine (DDS/DDM/DMD), or Veterinary Medicine (DVM); AND two years of professional experience investigating disease outbreaks, designing and conducting epidemiologic studies, or designing and maintaining a disease surveillance system; or
• Possession of a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in a biological science such as biology, genetics, nursing or virology; AND either a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree or Master of Science (MS) degree in epidemiology; AND two years of professional experience investigating disease outbreaks, designing and conducting epidemiologic studies, or designing and maintaining a disease surveillance system.

Other Requirements:

• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position. 
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS): 

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions. 
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.