Chief State Epidemiologist

DSHS is committed to hiring skilled and dedicated individuals who share a passion for public health to pursue our vision of A Healthy Texas. If you are looking to make an impact and tackle new challenges, we encourage you to consider a career with us.

Employee Benefits:

DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS). To learn more about all the benefits available to you as a DSHS employee and other DSHS opportunities for early career pathways, visit the DSHS Careers Page.

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Functional Title: Chief State Epidemiologist 
Job Title: Physician III 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: Chief State Epidemiologist 
Posting Number: 17233 
Closing Date: 11/20/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Management 
Salary Range: $15,037.75 - $19,916.67 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-35 
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework: Not Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 15% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: AUSTIN 
Job Location Address: 1100 W 49TH ST (RDM) 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 210X,42EX,42FX,42NX,44AX,44BX,44DX,44EX,44FX,44GX,44HX,44JX,44KX,44MX,44NX,44OX,44RX,44SX,44TX,44UX 
44YX,44ZX,45AX,45BX,45EX,45GX,45NX,45PX,45SX,45UX,48AX,48GX,48OX,48RX,48VX,60A,60B,60C,60D,60H,60J 
60K,60L,60N,60P,60S,60T,60V,61E,61F,61G,61H,61J,61K,61L,61M,61N,61P,61Q,61R,61U,61W,61Z,62A,62B,62Z 
67F,67G,SEI12 

The Chief State Epidemiologist (CSE) serves as the State of Texas’ lead authority on epidemiology and is a key member of the DSHS executive leadership team, reporting directly to the DSHS Commissioner. The CSE is responsible for providing data-driven expertise for public health activities and policies in Texas.

This position provides supervision, budget management, and strategic direction for the Office of Chief State Epidemiologist Division and is responsible for overseeing disease surveillance, outbreak response, prevention strategies, and ensuring data-driven decision-making to protect public health.

As the department’s expert on epidemiological matters, the CSE serves as a DSHS representative and a point of contact for many stakeholders, including federal agencies, national organizations, and Texas-based health departments, healthcare providers, and health organizations.

The CSE must be a physician licensed to practice medicine in the state of Texas, board certified in a medical specialty and have significant experience in public health.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

EFJ 1: (25%) Leads the development, implementation, and evaluation of   the department’s epidemiological initiatives and publications. Conducts data analysis and reviews health indicators to assists agency leadership with measuring the health status of the state. Performs special studies, develops reports and attends meetings. Manages the collection, analysis, and dissemination of public health data, including integration across state and federal agencies and ensuring data integrity and quality.

EFJ 2: (20%) Directs the daily operations of the OCSE division and provides general administrative and technical leadership of functions and activities. Establishes and monitors the division strategic vision, goals, and objectives in alignment with DSHS priorities.

EFJ 3: (15%) Advises the DSHS Commissioner and the executive team on epidemiology, morbidity and mortality trends, and health risks in the Texas population.

EFJ 4: (15%) Provides expert consultation on epidemiology and disease control, harmful exposure, and injury prevention to state agencies, health facilities, health service regions, local health authorities, local health departments, and other entities.

EFJ 5: (10%) Represents DSHS in legislative and public forums, including providing information, testimony, and presentations to legislative committees, state and federal agencies, and other organizations. Oversees development and approval of legislative materials and ensures coordination across divisions on joint projects. May represent DSHS at meetings, conferences, and seminars or on boards, panels, and committees.

EFJ 6: (10%) Coordinates with the Commissioner and agency executives to advance agency goals and objectives. Provides information and counsel to on programmatic trends, emerging issues, and their impact.

EFJ 7: (5%) Other duties as assigned include actively participating in the agency's obligation for disaster response and/or recovery of Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. This position will serve a key role during disasters; such participation may require an alternative shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of principles and practices of modern medicine, public health, preventive medicine; disease conditions, injury causes, and biological threats; state and federal public health laws; structure and functions of local, regional, and state public health organizations; CDC operations and inter-state notification policies and procedures; disease and injury surveillance, reporting practices, and outbreak investigation procedures.

Skill in clear oral and written communication, employee management, supervisory training, team building, conflict management, problem-solving, leadership, multi-tasking, prioritizing, data analysis and using computers and related software applications.

Ability to understand, effectively interpret, and navigate agency and program rules, policies, procedures and processes; coordinate public, private, and professional group activities; express ideas clearly and concisely and address a variety of audiences effectively; exercise judgment in evaluating situations and making decisions; exhibit cultural awareness and competency.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

• Current full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in the State of Texas. 
• Board certification in a medical specialty from the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).

Required Initial Screening Criteria:

1. Graduation from an accredited college of medicine with a degree as a medical or osteopathic doctor.
2. Five (5) years of experience working in public health, as an epidemiologist or in a related field.
3. Experience leading teams or managing people.

Preferred Initial Screening Criteria:

1. An advanced degree in public health, epidemiology, or a related field. (preferred)

Additional Information:

• Candidates must have a current and unrestricted license to practice medicine in Texas and be board certified in a medical specialty to qualify for an interview. 
• Candidates selected for an interview will be required to complete a written skills test as part of the interview process.

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified for this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), DSHS will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring process for individuals with a qualifying disability. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the interview process, please notify the person who contacts you to schedule the interview. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747 or via email at HHSServiceCenter.Applications@ngahrhosting.com.

Salary Information, Pre-employment Checks, and Work Eligibility:

• The salary offered will follow DSHS starting salary guidelines. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds.
• Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.
• DSHS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.  Download the I-9 form