Epidemiologist

Title: Epidemiologist

State Role Title: Scientist I

Hiring Range: $55,434.60 - $65,532.00

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: VDH-Central Office

Agency Website: www.vdh.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

This is a restricted position, which is solely funded by the P24-0047 High Impact HIV Prevention and Surveillance Programs for Health Departments for the period ending May 31, 2029. The availability of funding is scheduled for review before the grant expiration
date and periodically thereafter. Continued employment is contingent on the continued availability of funds.

The purpose of this position is to perform epidemiological assessment and
surveillance within the HIV Surveillance unit. Epidemiologists will collect and report
HIV data for both adult and pediatric patients; provide technical guidance to
community partners and internal stakeholders; interpret laboratory data; perform
data analysis; ensure data quality, accuracy and completeness.

The entry-level epidemiologist within the Office of Epidemiology, Division of Disease Prevention, HIV & Hepatitis Surveillance unit is responsible for carrying out a range
of investigative and analytical epidemiologic activities related to the surveillance,
detection, and/or prevention of HIV events in an assigned region within a statewide
program. Responsibilities include consulting on scientific and technical issues,
conducting routine epidemiologic investigations, data collection/analysis, and
providing health education and disease control recommendations. Positions in this
role typically work under the close supervision of the HIV Surveillance Coordinator
and/or a more senior epidemiologist or similar position. The work is assigned and
reviewed for conformance with overall requirements, contribution to the
assignment objectives, consistency of facts and figures, analytical methodology, and
practicality of recommendations.

This position collaborates with a variety of stakeholders in the collection of HIV data
including local health department staff, Disease Intervention Specialists, hospital
infection control practitioners, private physicians, prisons, blood banks and
community-based organizations to collect, analyze and report HIV data while
adhering to timeliness requirements and disease reporting regulations.

Independently: reviews disease reports for complex conditions and determines
appropriate action; determines if reported diseases meet case definitions; conducts
epidemiologic investigations by obtaining and organizing follow-up for surveillance
information from health care providers; evaluates the quality of the surveillance
data; and provides disease control advice. Supervision is provided by the direct
supervisor for handling unusual or complex technical or medical questions.

The Virginia Department of Health offers 12 paid holidays, medical, dental, vision and life
insurance, retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan) as well as sick, family/personal, and annual leave.

Minimum Qualifications

• Basic knowledge of the cause, transmission, treatment, and prevention of communicable diseases and other conditions of public health importance.
• Basic knowledge of methods of public health surveillance and disease outbreak investigations.
• Working knowledge of biostatistics, computer data analysis, data quality assurance, and data management techniques.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Strong customer service skills.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to collect, analyze, and present statistical data.
• Some experience in epidemiology, public health, or a related area.

Additional Considerations

• Training/experience in public health, epidemiology or biostatistics.
• Some knowledge of federal and state laws, regulations, and policies regarding the reporting and control of disease.
• Working knowledge of statistical software packages.
• Experience with database management systems, especially those used to manage population-based disease data.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

VDH accepts only on-line applications. Faxed, mailed, or e-mailed applications will not be considered. Applications are accepted until 11:55 p.m. on the job closing date. Applications and/or resumes should include relevant work history which indicates your qualifications for this position. Supplemental questions are encouraged to be answered in a comprehensive manner and reference any pertinent knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as any previous experience that relates to the position.

Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a state and federal criminal history background check and the Department of Social Service’s Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check, U.S. HHSIG Exclusion List check, employment reference check and E-Verify. Other financial, credit, driving, background checks or completion of Statement of Economic Interests may be required for certain positions.

It is the policy of the Commonwealth and VDH that all aspects of human resource management be conducted without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists); sex; color; national origin; religion; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age; veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. VDH employees have a shared Code of Ethics, which can be found in the bottom banner of our website: www.vdh.virginia.gov.

If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.

As a V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) employer VDH Welcomes Veterans to apply!

Contact Information

Name: Curt Crostic

Phone: N/A

Email: curt.crostic@vdh.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.