IRID Epidemiologist II

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Employee Benefits:

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Functional Title: IRID Epidemiologist II 
Job Title: Epidemiologist II 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: Emrgng & Acute Infcts Disease 
Posting Number: 14497 
Closing Date: 03/24/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Life, Physical, and Social Science 
Salary Range: $5,000.00 - $5,888.50 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-21 
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework: Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 10% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: AUSTIN 
Job Location Address: 1100 W 49TH ST (DHT) 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 230X,43EX,43HX,43TX,4E0X1,61G,HM,SEI12 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

With direction from the Invasive and Respiratory Infectious Disease (IRID) Epidemiologist III, performs advanced (senior level) epidemiological work in the Emerging and Acute Infectious Disease Unit related to invasive and respiratory infectious disease conditions. Collects, analyzes, interprets, and distributes epidemiological data on invasive and respiratory infectious diseases including outbreaks in Texas. Prepares public health information, training materials, and investigative tools for IRID disease surveillance and investigation. Coordinates the work of others in data collection. Provides telephonic and electronic technical consultation to public health professionals, healthcare providers, and the general public on the epidemiology of invasive and respiratory infectious disease and assists these partners in any invasive and respiratory illness outbreak investigations. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

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

EJF 1. Epidemiologic investigations and studies: Participates in invasive and respiratory infectious disease (IRID) outbreak investigations, such as legionellosis outbreaks and studies, by coordinating data collection with local and regional health department partners, abstracting medical data from hospital and medical records, designing and modifying questionnaires or report forms, interviewing patients, coordinating collection and transport of clinical specimens, performing data analysis using statistical programs, and assisting with recommendations for control measures. Analyzes and interprets epidemiological data, including laboratory findings. Creates, maintains, and distributes databases using applications such as Excel, Access, SAS, R, Tableau, ArcGIS, and others. Assists local and regional health departments in developing and carrying out environmental sampling plans as needed. Assists in the development and carrying out of facility and environmental assessments. (35%) 

EJF2. Surveillance activities: Monitors the statewide surveillance system for case reports on select invasive and respiratory infectious disease pathogens in the National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NEDSS); assists and provides consultation to local and regional health department staff on data entry, case classification, and other aspects of case investigations; conducts some data entry; ensures data quality, reviews and approves or rejects notifications, and oversees annual data cleanup in the system. Assists in establishing and implementing activities to improve surveillance for invasive and respiratory illnesses. As assigned, serves as the Unit on-call epidemiologist. (35%) 

EJF 3. Leadership: Coordinates with local and regional health department partners on inter-jurisdictional cluster and outbreak investigations. As assigned by the team lead, serves as a point of contact with CDC for multi-state cluster and outbreak investigations of invasive and respiratory illness. Recommends measures for prevention and control of invasive and respiratory infectious disease illness. Working with Unit staff, develops protocols, procedures, and training materials related to surveillance and outbreak investigations. Participates in training regional and local staff in investigation methods. Develops and disseminates data collection instruments.  Requests and collates information collected during investigations of invasive and respiratory illnesses such as legionellosis. Coordinates the establishment and implementation of activities to improve outbreak response. (10%)

EJF 4. Communication: Prepares reports and graphs of surveillance and investigation data using Power Point, Excel, Access, SAS, R, Tableau, ArcGIS, NEDSS, and other platforms. Disseminates data reports to internal and external partners. Prepares and delivers oral presentations on surveillance data and epidemiological investigations for professional and lay audiences. Assists in the development of disease fact sheets, pamphlets, brochures and press bulletins. Assists in preparing articles for publication in journals. Assists in the development of disease risk assessment surveys. Provides telephonic and electronic technical consultations to public health professionals, health care providers, and the general public on the epidemiology of invasive and respiratory illnesses and its prevention and control. Prepares invasive and respiratory infectious disease data for posting to the internet. Reviews scientific literature as appropriate. (15%)

EJF 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. (5%)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of the principles and methods of epidemiology and related biostatistics

Knowledge of infectious diseases, especially invasive and respiratory infectious diseases

Knowledge of infectious disease surveillance

Knowledge of microbiological laboratory procedures including antigen testing, PCR, culture

Skill in the use of Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Access, and statistical software, such as R, SAS, Tableau, ArcGIS, and others

Skill in the use of National Electronic Disease Surveillance System and Labware or similar electronic interfaces

Ability to plan, conduct, and report on infectious disease surveillance and epidemiological investigations

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing

Ability to interpret laboratory results and apply them in outbreak investigations

Ability to apply the principles and methods of epidemiology as related to investigation of infectious diseases, especially invasive and respiratory infectious diseases

Ability to build and manage databases

Ability to design and implement systems necessary to collect, maintain, and analyze data

Ability to analyze data and apply findings in outbreak investigations

Ability to work collaboratively on a team

Ability to work effectively with regional and local health department personnel, private practice physicians, and hospital staff

Ability to provide operational guidance and leadership to field staff

Ability to achieve grant deliverables

Ability to manage projects and facilitate trainings

Ability to train others in infectious disease surveillance and epidemiology

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

Graduation from an accredited 4-year college or university with major coursework in epidemiology, infectious diseases, biostatistics or related field and 3 years of full-time work experience in epidemiology or public health

OR

A Master of Public Health degree from a U.S. accredited college or university or a foreign degree determined to be equivalent by an acceptable education evaluator with a focus on epidemiology or analysis and assessment and 1 year of full-time work experience in epidemiology or public health

OR

A doctoral-level degree in epidemiology or public health

OR

Other non-epidemiology graduate degree in a health-related field (e.g., RN, MD/DO, DDS/DMD, DVM, PhD, MS) with 1 year (or equivalent) of full-time epidemiological or public health experience

Additional Information:

Telework Eligibility:

The Division of the Office of the Chief State Epidemiologist requires employees to physically work in the office according to Division policy. At the time of posting, this policy currently requires employees in this job class to work in the office two days per week and telework the remaining three days each week. This policy is subject to change.

On-call Duties:

This position requires the incumbent to serve as the on-call epidemiologist periodically throughout the year. This entails monitoring and appropriately responding to calls received outside of normal business hours. This can entail providing technical assistance, consultations, and assisting individuals with emergent situations. Epidemiologists serve on-call for a week at a time and approximately three to four times per year, depending on staffing levels. This includes weekends and holidays.

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