Occupational Health Surveillance Epidemiologist

This position is ONLY open to current Colorado state residents.

This position is a hybrid position, Part-time at 80% and term limited to October 31, 2026

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical conditions related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

Although the full salary range for this position is provided, appointments are typically made at or near the range minimum.   

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) serves Coloradans by providing high-quality, and cost-effective public health and environmental protection services that promote healthy people in healthy places. Staff members focus on evidence-based best practices in the public health and environmental fields and play a critical role in educating people in Colorado so they can make informed choices. In addition to maintaining and enhancing our core programs, the Department continues to identify and respond to emerging issues affecting Colorado's public and environmental health.

Be BOLD.....Make a REAL difference . . . and join us in serving our communities advancing Colorado's health and protecting the places we live, work, learn, and play, to create a healthy and sustainable Colorado where current and future generations thrive.

Our mission… is to advance Colorado's health and protect the places we live, work, learn, and play. 

Our vision… is to create a healthy and sustainable Colorado where current and future generations thrive.

In addition to free parking, access to RTD bus lines, Cherry Creek bike path and flexible working arrangements, click the link below to review additional benefits and perks!!! https://cdphe.colorado.gov/careers

Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to:  https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/pslfFlow.action#!/pslf/launch

The Division of Disease Control and Public Health Response (DCPHR) is the department’s lead surveillance, planning, and response arm for public events including communicable disease outbreaks and epidemics, pandemics, bioterrorism, and other public health and mass casualty events and disasters. The division includes the Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response; State Public Health Laboratory; Health Equity Branch, Communicable Disease Branch; Immunization Branch; Electronic Disease Reporting; and Operations Branch. The Division exists to ensure that the Department has the ability to effectively prepare for, monitor, detect, diagnose, investigate, and nimbly respond to all types of conditions, events and disasters that impact the public’s health.

The Work Unit:
DCPHR’s Health Equity Branch exists to expand and promote equitable access to opportunities and resources that impact
an individual’s or community’s health and wellbeing. The Branch partners with community-based organizations, healthcare
entities, and local public health agencies in Colorado by promoting health equity and implementing strategies tailored to
address the varying complex causes of health disparities.

What you will be doing:
The Occupational Health Surveillance Epidemiologist is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data on
workplace health and safety metrics. The primary project that this position works on is a cooperative agreement with the
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to conduct the annual Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) and Census
of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI).

Occupational Health Surveillance Data Collection

• Serves as a subject matter expert for work in Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene Unit, on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Survey of Occupational Injury and Illness (SOII) and Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) surveillance programs.
• Perform technical and procedural tasks required of the BLS SOII program for annual survey data collection, including:

• Select the annual sample frame, using pre-defined criteria from BLS to identify the percentage of
• the total annual sample from each NAICS industry code;
• Conduct mailing address refinement for the annual sample workplaces prior to the first survey
• selection mailer, to increase response rate by ensuring accurate addresses and ATTN: lines on
• survey materials sent to workplaces. Process returned mail.
• Respond to phone calls and emails from survey respondents. Answer questions about how to
• complete the survey and assist respondents in providing accurate survey responses by the
• deadline.

• Conduct statistical analyses to identify trends in occupational health data across industries in Colorado and compared to nationally, and interpret results. 
• Prepare reports that summarize data outcomes for different audiences using combinations of written text and data visualizations and use varied communication styles; for example, press releases, webpage data dashboards, or reports for workplaces/industry stakeholder groups. 

• Attend annual conferences, workshops, and other events, as they arise, to conduct outreach and education to the target population of workplace health and safety professionals about the importance of occupational health surveillance activities such as the BLS SOII and CFOI programs. 
• Generate materials such as reports, briefs/memos, presentations, website text, graphics, etc. that share findings from past survey years and educate various audiences on the importance of occupational health, trends or issues in occupational health in Colorado.

Residency Requirement: 

This posting is open to current and non-current residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application. However, if you are selected and accept the position, you will be required to establish residence in the State of Colorado.

Class Code & Classification Description: 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

Six (6) years of relevant experience* in health surveillance and epidemiology or a closely related field

OR

A combination of related education** in biology, chemistry, epidemiology, nursing, public health, or a closely related field and/or relevant experience* in health surveillance and epidemiology, or an occupation related to the work assigned to this position equal to six (6) years

• A master's degree in public health
• Knowledge of occupational health surveillance methods 
• Knowledge of occupational health data systems, sources, and data management practices 
• Experience collecting, analyzing, disseminating, and presenting occupational health data
• Experience administering surveys
• Experience supporting survey respondents in completing surveys
• Experience processing completed surveys and coding survey results
• Experience with statistical software packages (e.g. SAS, R, SQL, etc.)
• Experience working with data from, or related to programs of, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Ability to present ideas accurately, effectively, and concisely, both verbally and in writing 
• Holds self accountable in accomplishing work objectives and delivering business results 
• Careful about detail, ensuring information is complete and accurate 
• Ability to think critically when making decisions and solving problems  

• Must be available in the event of the activation of the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) and be required to report to work immediately at the regular or alternate location. During this time, travel restrictions may be in place.
• Must be available in the event of an emergency, (e.g., bio-terrorist attack, chemical attack, disease outbreak or all hazards) and be required to report to work immediately at the regular or alternate location. During this time, travel restrictions may be in place.
• This is a critical position and can be expected to work and/or remain at their worksite in delayed start, early release, or closure situations.

Appeal Rights: 

An applicant who has been removed from an employment list or removed from consideration during the selection process may request a review by the State Personnel Director.

As an applicant directly affected by the results of the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file a written appeal with the State Personnel Director.

Review of the completed, signed and submitted appeal will be timely on the basis of written material submitted by you, using the official appeal form signed by you or your representative. This form must be completed and delivered to the State Personnel Board by email at dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the Department’s action.

A complete application packet must include:

1. A completed State of Colorado application.
2. If using education to qualify, a copy of your college/university transcripts. Transcripts must be attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application.
3. If you are a veteran, a copy of your DD214 attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application.

The Selection Process:

1. All applications that are received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications proceed to the next step.
2. Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process.

• Part of, or all of, the comparative analysis for this position may be a structured application review, which involves a review of the information you submit in your application materials by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) against the preferred qualifications.

3. A top group, up to six candidates, will be invited to schedule an interview with the hiring manager.

E-Verify: CDPHE uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

ADAAA Accommodations:

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, Daniel Mckenna at daniel.mckenna@state.co.us or call 303-692-6319.
 
Toll Free Applicant Technical Support: If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g. uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV technical support at 855-524-5627 Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time).  Helpful hints: if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application first- ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files, and second, close the document before you attempt to upload (attach) it.