Zoonosis 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: Zoonosis Epidemiologist 
Job Title: Program Specialist III 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: Region 2/3 
Posting Number: 19638 
Closing Date: 09/11/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Life, Physical, and Social Science 
Salary Range: $4,020.33 - $5,178.00 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-19 
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework: Not Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 35% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: ARLINGTON 
Job Location Address: 1301 S BOWEN RD STE 200 
Other Locations: Arlington 
MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

Under the direction of the PHR 2/3 Regional Zoonosis Control Program Manager/Veterinarian, performs moderately complex (journey-level) and comprehensive epidemiological work. Assists in the design, implementation, and analysis of notifiable conditions surveillance processes including conducting epidemiological investigations or studies. Abstracts epidemiological data from medical records of physicians, veterinarians, and hospitals. Participates in general data management and report writing for epidemiological investigations or studies on notifiable conditions. Maintains disease databases and logs. Prepares oral and written reports and presentations. Initiates, develops, and maintains relationships with local governments, health departments, state and federal agencies, and private organizations to enhance and facilitate reporting, prevention, and control of zoonotic diseases and implementation of rabies prevention program. Provides consultative services and technical assistance to internal and external partners and the public concerning zoonotic diseases. Implements rabies prevention program through consultations, education, facility inspections, and anti-rabies biologicals distribution. Plans, organizes, and participates in animal control officer training and zoonotic disease educational programs to broad audiences. Participates in local, regional, inter-regional, and statewide Zoonosis Control Programs (ZCP). Responds to emergency public health issues and assists in bioterrorism and disaster activities as needed. Participates in the cooperative use of epidemiological data with other agencies, states, and national organizations such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Works under general supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement. Must be able to travel independently throughout the State of Texas and out-of-state to complete essential job functions. Member of the Incident Command Structure in response to public health emergencies. Must comply with HHS, DSHS, Texas Department of Public Safety applicable policies/procedures/standards. This position is office-based in the Arlington regional headquarters, Monday-Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm unless job duties, or a response requires mobile or remote work.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Epidemiology: Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy. Conducts investigation of human and animal zoonotic disease suspects and laboratory confirmed cases directly or in coordination with local health departments. Participates in all aspects of specific epidemiological investigations or studies. Abstracts, reviews, and interprets medical information, including labs. Builds and maintains collaborative relationships with epidemiology and surveillance partners. Contacts partners and patients to identify and collect epidemiological data. Adheres to procedures and policies pertaining to notifiable disease investigation and documentation including timely turnaround of investigation and documentation. Enters epidemiologic data into and maintains appropriate logs and databases. Analyzes data and disseminates the results of investigations and surveillance. Prepares reports and presentations. Maintains disease surveillance program to include collection and forwarding of specimens, recording results, and analyzing and reporting data. Participates in the cooperative use of epidemiological data with other agencies, states, and national organizations. Coordinates with and assists the Regional Zoonosis Control Veterinarian with the planning, development, and implementation of regional zoonotic and vector-borne disease surveillance program. Obtains patient consent and arranges specimen collection and submission when needed. May label, package and ship specimens, and fill out laboratory submission slips. Maintains inventory of surveillance equipment and supplies. Provides assistance for epidemiological investigations conducted by outside agencies and organizations. Must be able to independently travel throughout the State of Texas and out-of-state to complete essential job functions. Participates in on-call rotation to assure 24/7 availability on holidays, weekends, and after normal work hours. (30%)

Disease Prevention and Control: Provides complex consultative services and technical assistance to a diverse group of partners and the public on prevention and control of zoonotic diseases. Participates in development, planning, implementation, and monitoring programs on a broad range of subjects linked to zoonosis control and public health. Assures and assists in the management and distribution of rabies biologicals. Provides consultative services to veterinarians, animal control officers, patients, physicians and local health departments concerning risk assessment of rabies exposure incidents and investigations. Organizes, conducts, and provides training at Animal Control Officer and other continuing education courses. Conducts on-site inspections and reviews of rabies quarantine facilities to determine compliance with state regulations, completing appropriate inspection forms to document findings. Evaluates surveillance processes and procedures. Must be able to independently travel throughout the State of Texas and out-of-state to complete essential job functions. (30%)

Consultation and Outreach: Provides consultations and technical assistance to animal welfare groups, agricultural and wildlife workers, veterinarians, medical providers, local health departments and other partners regarding zoonotic disease related issues and public health. Represents ZCP to internal and external partners. Develops, prepares, and distributes technical information to partners. Assists in preparation of reports and presents findings to diverse audiences, including children. Use automated mapping systems to summarize and pinpoint disease clusters and complete reports. Participates in cross-training on investigation and communication processes. Must be able to independently travel throughout the State of Texas and out-of-state to complete essential job functions. Develops awareness materials and tools. Disseminates and/or communicates educational courses and materials, training, and presentations as well as awareness materials to stakeholders. (25%)

Surveillance: Coordinates and/or conducts surveillance activities for zoonotic and vector-borne diseases. Maintains inventory of surveillance equipment and supplies. Develops and maintains electronic databases and/or spreadsheets for storage and analysis of regional surveillance data. Processes biological specimens and performs diagnostic tests according to proper procedures and infection control techniques. Analyzes, and monitors surveillance data in relation to program goals and provides input to the Regional Zoonosis Control Veterinarian regarding modification of regional surveillance strategies. Prepares reports, presentations, and maps summarizing disease surveillance data. Enters surveillance data into statewide databases. (10%)

Regional disaster and recovery response: Participates in disease outbreak responses and follow up. Participates, as determined by the PHR 2/3 Regional Zoonosis Control Program Manager/Veterinarian, in statewide field training opportunities and the implementation of the Oral Rabies Vaccination Program. Must be able to independently travel throughout the State of Texas and out-of-state to complete essential job functions. May be required to work other than normal business hours to respond to public health emergencies; actively participate and/or serve in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response/recovery/Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation- requires completion of at least ICS 100,200, 700 and 800 courses and may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location. Maintain compliance with DSHS Policy, Fleet Operations and Management & Procedures and Standards, and a current valid Texas Driver's License. Other duties as assigned. (5%)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

KNOWLEDGE OF:

the prevention and control of infectious agents.

etiology and dynamics of diseases.

medical terminology, epidemiology, and public health problems.

Texas public health laws, including those that govern the control and reporting of notifiable conditions.

basic and natural sciences, and disease vectors

statutes and rules administered by the Zoonosis Control Branch; including the Rabies Control Act.

educational techniques and procedures.

preparedness and response procedures.

SKILL IN:

using computers and software including word processing, database, spreadsheet, internet, e-mail and graphic software packages such as Word, Access, Excel, Adobe, PowerPoint, GIS.

data management and analysis.

problem solving.

communicating effectively verbally and in writing.

preparing technical reports in a clear and concise manner.

proofreading and editing documents.

basic interpretation of diagnostic laboratory results and information from medical charts.

public speaking before professional and lay audiences.

ABILITY TO:

maintain effective working relationships with managers, co-workers, the public and professional groups.

interpret public health laws and regulations.

communicate effectively to diverse audiences.

provide excellent customer service experience.

work independently to conduct investigations and maintain confidentiality.

organize and prioritize workload and meet deadlines.

obtain, handle and process biologic specimens from a variety of environmental conditions

to independently travel throughout the State of Texas and out-of-state to complete essential job functions.

to work in an office-based setting unless a response requires mobile or remote work.

meet deadlines and work on multiple projects at the same time.

Participate fully in on-call schedule.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements, Or Certifications:

Must possess a valid Class C Texas driver’s license, or equivalent license from another state.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Experience in public health work, animal health, epidemiology, infectious diseases, microbiology, biostatistics or other related work relevant to job functions.

Willing to work on call to include holidays and weekends. 

Willing to travel 35% of time. 

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university preferred. 

Additional Information:

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

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application. All fields on the state application must be filled in completely; incomplete state applications may not be considered. Applicants must provide information relevant to the experience required for this position in the job history sections of the application. Information on application must clearly state how applicant meets initial selection criteria in the summary of experience section of the application.

The associated assessment must be completed to be considered further for this position. 

Applicants selected for interviews may be required to complete a proficiency/skills test at the time of the interview (e.g. Excel, PowerPoint, writing).  

If selected, a candidate must be able and willing to provide current and previous work reference before a final offer of employment is extended. 

Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position.  The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours.

Prior to beginning employment, employees / applicants who indicate they hold a degree from an institution of higher education must provide an original college transcript indicating they earned a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctorate degree from a U.S. college or university or foreign degree determined to be equivalent by an acceptable education evaluator.

If an employee operates a personal or state motor vehicle in performance of their official duties, the employee must possess a current valid Texas Driver License for the appropriate type of vehicle.

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