Vaccine Preventable Disease Epidemiologist (Epidemiologist)

As an Epidemiologist with the Department of Health, you will play an important role in understanding and controlling disease across the state. Your work will help leaders make informed decisions and improve community health. This position offers variety, challenge, and purpose every day. If you enjoy analysis and want to support healthier communities, this role will fit you well.

This position supports statewide disease surveillance and public health planning for vaccine preventable diseases. The role ensures accurate data collection, strong partnerships, and effective responses to public health needs. As an Epidemiologist, you will perform the following duties:

• Data Analysis: Evaluate surveillance information to identify disease patterns and risk factors
• System Oversight: Support the use and improvement of disease reporting and tracking systems
• Outbreak Support: Assist in investigations by developing surveys, reviewing data, and monitoring case information
• Public Guidance: Provide recommendations and create reports or presentations for partners and the public
• Policy Development: Help build procedures and plans that support prevention and control of vaccine preventable diseases
• Collaboration Work: Work with health departments, staff, and partners to answer questions and address data needs

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. 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. 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.

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

• 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.