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: Epidemiologist 
Job Title: Epidemiologist II 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: TB Branch 
Posting Number: 17372 
Closing Date: 06/11/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical 
Salary Range: $4,523.16 - $6,000.00 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-21 
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift: Days (First) 
Telework: Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 15% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: AUSTIN 
Job Location Address: 201 W HOWARD LN STE 200 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 230X,43EX,43HX,43TX,4E0X1,61G,HM,SEI12 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description

Under the direction of the Tuberculosis (TB) and Hansen's disease group manager, performs advanced epidemiological work. Work involves conducting assessment of genotyping clusters and contact investigations performed by Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) public health regions (PHRs) and local health departments’ (LHDs) TB programs. Provides guidance to PHRs and LHDs on managing TB outbreaks and complex investigations. Serves as the subject matter expert on investigating TB outbreaks and performing contact investigations. Participates in developing program protocols for conducting contact investigations in high profile settings such as academic institutions, congregate settings and other media-sensitive environments. Receives TB incident reports from PHRs and LHDs and evaluates requests to perform TB screenings in academic institutions, congregate settings and other media sensitive environments. Participates and provides epidemiologic direction in high profile contact investigations. Prepares epidemiologic reports on TB outbreaks, complex and high profile contact investigations. Works to establish epidemiologic linkages based on cluster investigations. Performs social network analysis.

Essential Job Functions (EJF)

Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in acordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned

(40%) Contact investigation coordination: Provides guidance to public health regions and local health departments on managing TB outbreaks and complex investigations. Participates in developing and maintaining policies and procedures on contact investigations and TB outbreak management involving academic institutions, congregate settings and other places of employment. Oversees investigations involving congregate settings, places of employment and other media sensitive environments. Supports health service regions and local health departments in evaluating contact investigation efforts. Evaluates contact investigation outcomes. Develops plans to improve contact investigation outcomes. Maintains data profile on confirmed TB outbreaks, investigations involving media sensitive environments and other places of employment to include congregate settings and academic institutions. Prepares epidemiologic reports on key contact investigation activities. Serves as a resource on TB infection rates in communities throughout Texas.

(30%) Genotyping coordination: Routinely monitors TB genotyping information management systems (TB GIMS) to identify medium and highly concerning TB clusters. Notifies PHRs and LHDs of medium and highly concerning clusters and provides guidance to PHRs and LHDs to perform cluster investigations. Participates in developing and maintaining policies and procedures on genotyping and TB cluster investigations and management. Evaluates and approves requests to investigate genotyped clusters. Oversees cluster investigations involving congregate settings, places of employment and other media sensitive environments. Supports PHRs and LHDs in evaluating genotyped clusters. Develops resources that facilitate management of genotyped clusters and cluster alerts. Researches epidemiologic linkages based on cluster investigations including identifying false positive AFB culture reports; makes recommendations to determine associations; review results of the investigations and presents case studies for training purposes. Participates in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-directed genotyping conference calls. Serves as a subject matter expert in the development, testing and rollout of the statewide TB case management and surveillance system regarding genotyping.  

(15%) Incident reports and Multi-state/International TB exposures: Reviews TB incident reports submitted by DSHS PHRs and LHD TB programs. Evaluates requests to perform large scale investigations in which 50 or more persons are considered for testing. Coordinates all airline, land or sea exposure notification received through CDC Epi-X; notifies PHRs and LHDs of airline, land or sea exposures received through Epi-X for follow-up and reporting. Assures all notifications are addressed within appropriate time frames including preparing and submitting responses to the requestor.

(10%) Workforce development: Participates in quarterly new employee orientation seminars. Coordinates genotyping training and assists with contact investigation training. Develops processes to evaluate funded TB programs using genotyping data.  Develops resources and reports that facilitate managing contact investigations; quantifies infection rates to guide expanding contact investigations; prepares and guides local TB staff in using social network analysis.

(5%) Other duties as assigned:  Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to: actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Licensure, Certification, or Registration Required

Valid and current Texas driver's license

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

Knowledge of major functions of public health

Knowledge of infectious disease surveillance

Knowledge of the principles and methods of epidemiology

Knowledge of statistical concepts, research methods, and their applications to public health surveillance and research

Knowledge of sampling, survey methods and weighing

Knowledge of the health status, socioeconomic and demographic measures used in public health.

Knowledge of population, socioeconomic and health outcomes data sources

Knowledge of programming logic

Knowledge of security and confidentiality as it relates to surveillance

Skill in using Microsoft Office products especially Excel and PowerPoint

Skill in using graphics presentation software

Skill in using statistical software such as SAS and in writing syntax to perform analyses

Skill in data management and analysis

Skill in both verbal and written communications

Skill in graphical presentation of data including charts, tables, and maps

Skill in working with sensitive personal health information

Ability to manage and query complex databases

Ability to plan, conduct and report on epidemiological investigations

Ability to use population data for public health planning and evaluation

Ability to conduct research projects

Ability to organize and prioritize work and meet deadlines

Ability to exercise independent judgment and show initiative

Ability to communicate effectively with data users, coworkers and stakeholders

Ability to maintain effective working relationships  

Additional Information

Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.

The salary offered will follow DSHS starting salary guidelines. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds.

Applicants invited to an interview will be administered a skills test as part of the interview process.

Must be willing to travel at least 15% of the time.

Must be willing to work outside the normal work schedule if needed.  

To be considered for an interview, applicants must demonstrate a clear match to all initial criteria in the EMPLOYMENT HISTORY and SUMMARY OF EXPERIENCE SECTIONS of the application. Resumes will not be considered.   
 

Initial Screening Criteria

Master's Degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in epidemiology, public health or closely related field. A Master's degree in epidemiology is preferred.

At least one year's work experience in epidemiologic investigations

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