General Epidemiologist (PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR, Opt.6C)

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Public Health is seeking a highly motivated individual to serve as Vaccine Preventable Disease Epidemiologist. Coordinates epidemiological investigation and analysis of vaccine preventable disease outbreaks including developing case definitions, developing data collection tools when needed; and organizing and analyzing descriptive data via epidemiological curves, line lists and maps. Investigates and reviews information regarding vaccine preventable diseases to determine whether clusters of illness may represent a public health problem or outbreaks are occurring.

Benefits Statement

As a State of Illinois Employee, you will receive a robust benefit package that includes the following:

• Flexible and hybrid work schedules are available in many program areas (when available and dependent upon position) 
• Competitive Group Insurance benefits including health, life, dental and vision plans.
• Pension plan through the State Employees Retirement System
• Deferred Compensation Program – voluntary supplemental retirement plan
• Optional pre-tax programs -Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP) & Dependent Care Assistant Plan (DCAP)
• 10-25 days of paid vacation time annually (10 days for first year of state employment)
• 12 paid sick days annually which carryover year to year
• 3 paid personal business days per calendar year (pro-rated dependent on start date)
• 13-14 paid holidays per year
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• Employee Assistance Program and/or mental health resources

These are just a few of the many perks available to all State employees. For more information about our benefits please follow this link: https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/benefits/Pages/default.aspx.

Essential Functions

• Coordinates epidemiological investigation and analysis of vaccine preventable disease outbreaks.
• Investigates and reviews information regarding vaccine preventable diseases to determine whether clusters of illness may represent a public health problem or outbreaks occurring.
• Designs and populates the influenza, COVID-19, RSV, pertussis, mumps, measles, influenza and other respiratory disease situational awareness reports for publication on the IDPH website.
• Manages the review and evaluation of vaccine preventable diseases surveillance and outbreak data throughout the year and for year-end close out for data quality and completeness.
• Assists in the preparation of federal grant applications and progress reporting of data from respiratory disease surveillance.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor’s degree in epidemiology, demography, bio-statistics, sociology, psychology, economics or related social science research field from an accredited university.
• Requires four (4) years of professional experience in applied epidemiology, biostatistics, or in population or a related research field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Four (4) years of professional experience in communicable disease or infectious disease surveillance and/or control programs at local, state or federal level.
• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in public health, biostatistics, or epidemiology.
• One (1) year experience with Epi Info computer applications.
• One (1) year experience with Microsoft Access.
• One (1) year experience with Tableau computer application.
• One (1) year experience with SAS and R computer applications.
• One (1) year experience with Microsoft Excel and other similar types of software.

About the Agency

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is tasked with the oversight of communities within Illinois to achieve and maintain optimal health and safety. With an annual budget of over $2 billion in state and federal funds, 6 regional offices, 3 laboratories and over 1,200 employees, IDPH is equipped to fulfill its mission of protecting the health and wellness of the people of Illinois through the prevention, health promotion, regulation and control of disease and injury.