Zoonoses Epidemiologist - HP III

The Division of Disease Control and Public Health Response (DCPHR) exists to ensure that the Department has the ability to effectively monitor, detect, diagnose, prepare for, and nimbly respond to, all types of conditions and events that impact the public’s health. The purpose of the Communicable Disease Branch (CDB) is to monitor, investigate, and control epidemic and communicable diseases affecting the public health in Colorado, as required under Colorado statute including:

• Invasive bacterial diseases;
• Foodborne/enteric diseases;
• Waterborne diseases;
• Respiratory diseases; vaccine
• Preventable diseases; 
• Healthcare-associated infections;
• Tuberculosis;
• COVID-19; 
• Zoonotic/vectorborne diseases.

• Investigate public health concerns linked to H5N1 (HPAI) detections among livestock and poultry, including
  conducting field investigations.
• Coordinate HPAI response activities between the Zoonoses and One Health program and the Viral Respiratory
  program.
• Communicate effectively with livestock and poultry producers, as well as other state and federal response.
  personnel, on public health risks involving HPAI in animals.
• Assess risk factors of animal health and production as they relate to public health.
• Perform on-site surveillance sampling of animals or animal products or environments.
• Assist public health nurses and epidemiologists with human specimen collection in the field.
• Accompany and assist the State Public Health Veterinarian in outbreak settings of zoonotic disease.

• Conduct research, analysis, and reports related to HPAI exposure in agricultural settings.
• Monitor, analyze, and interpret disease surveillance data.
• Adapt public health surveillance activities related to HPAI in animals as needed to collect pertinent data.
• Coordinate field and on-site data collection with LPHA and other CDPHE epidemiologists, USDA and CDA response personnel, private citizens and agricultural producers.
• Use evidence-based decision making in adapting HPAI investigation and response activities and procedures.
• Develop and contribute to internal and external publications, educational materials, project/response.
  summaries and other public health planning tools.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications:
NOTE: To be considered for this position, your application must clearly demonstrate that you meet one of the following options needed for consideration:

Work Experience:    
A combination of four (4) years of professional experience working in epidemiology, data analysis for disease prevention, or other closely related experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position, AND two (2) years of professional experience with agricultural animals (including volunteer agricultural animal experience).

 OR:

Education and/or Work Experience:    
A combination of related education from an accredited institution in Public Health, Agricultural Sciences, Veterinary Sciences, Health Informatics, Data Analytics, or a field of study closely related to the work assignment.   AND/OR   A combination of four (4) years of professional experience working in epidemiology, data analysis for disease prevention, or other closely related experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position, AND two (2) years of professional experience with agricultural animals (including volunteer agricultural animal experience). 

**This experience must be substantiated within the Work Experience section of your application. "See Resume" will not be accepted. In addition, part-time work will be prorated.**
**A copy of your unofficial (or official) transcript OR a copy of your official diploma is required by the application deadline. You must attach this transcript to your application electronically.**
 
NOTE: Click on the link here How to Apply  to submit a complete application that documents your work history giving details of your qualifications, including how your experience aligns with the minimum and preferred qualifications for this position when listing your work history.

Preferred Qualifications:    
 In addition to the minimum requirements, the successful candidate in this position will have the following highly desirable experience and competencies:

• Relevant experience with the State of Colorado. 
• Possesses veterinary degree, veterinary technician.
• Experience working with livestock animals.  
• Experience working in a laboratory on public health related issues. 
• Previous work at a local public health agency, to demonstrate the knowledge of structure, capacity, and disease control work flow.
• Experience collecting and entering data into an epidemiologic surveillance system systematically and efficiently
• Excellent listening and customer service skills.
• Experience with emergency response.

• Pursuant to CDPHE policy, a background check is required for all positions at CDPHE. 
• Occasional travel: <30 days/year. 
• This is a term-limited position. Funding cannot be guaranteed beyond 5/01/2026. The incumbent in this position must be willing and able to resign on this date or when funds run out, whichever comes first. 
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

A complete application packet must include:

1. A completed State of Colorado application.  
2. A cover letter that describes how your experience aligns with the minimum and preferred qualifications of this position.  
3. If using education to qualify, a copy of your college/university transcripts or diploma. Transcripts or diploma must be attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application. (unofficial transcripts copy acceptable).  
4. If you are a veteran, a copy of your DD214 attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application.

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.
   • If you submit more than one application, before the closing deadline, only the most recent application submitted will be used in the recruitment process. 
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.