Zoonotic Disease Epidemiologist - 20013914

Zoonotic Disease Epidemiologist (Epidemiology Investigator 3)

About Us:

Our mission at the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is advancing the health and well-being of all Ohioans.  Our agency is committed to building a modern, vibrant public health system that creates the conditions where all Ohioans flourish.

The goal of the Bureau of Infectious Diseases (BID) is to prevent and control the spread of infectious diseases (e.g., foodborne outbreaks, general infectious diseases, healthcare-associated infections, influenza, meningitis, tuberculosis, vaccine-preventable diseases, waterborne outbreaks, zoonotic diseases and vector-borne diseases).

The bureau works closely with local health departments (LHDs), healthcare providers and laboratories to ensure that infectious disease reports are reviewed and investigated timely; the program provides technical expertise and coordination to LHDs, healthcare providers, laboratories and where appropriate, the general public.

160

What You'll Do:

The Bureau of Infectious Diseases is looking for a Zoonotic Disease Epidemiologist who will initiate, propose, design, & conduct epidemiologic surveillance, projects, research, & investigations pertaining to cases & outbreaks of infectious diseases like brucellosis, hantavirus, leptospirosis, and rabies. This position will also coordinate data collection, ensure quality control, & oversee epidemiological database management for Zoonotic Disease Program (ZDP) & contacts reporting jurisdictions to obtain missing or clarifying information.

PRIMARY DUTIES AT A GLANCE:

• Serves as lead worker (i.e., provides work direction and training) over lower-level epidemiology investigators and support staff
• Evaluates confidential case reports for accuracy and completeness against CDC and Ohio case definitions; contacts jurisdictions for missing information
• Monitors and assesses incidence, prevalence, and changing distribution of zoonotic diseases
• Provides technical advice on multiple topics to healthcare providers, veterinarians, LHDs, & the public regarding animal rabies prevention inquiries based on current recommendations
• Tabulates and analyzes epidemiologic data; uses statistical software packages (e.g., REDCap, SAS, EpiInfo)
• Plans, writes, and produces reports, including data posted on ODH website and/or graphical presentation

UNUSUAL WORKING CONDITIONS: Requires travel; may be away from home and normal work site up to 30 days during emergencies; may be exposed to contagious and communicable diseases and toxic or hazardous chemicals.

Normal working hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm. This is an hourly position, with a pay range of 33 on the OCSEA Pay Range Schedule.

170

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

Qualifications

Completion of graduate core program in public health or preventive medicine; 3 courses or 9 mos. exp. in use of statistical computer software packages; 6 mos. exp. as epidemiology investigator with local or federal health agency; must be able to provide own transportation

OR

6 mos. exp. as Epidemiology Investigator 2, 65762; must be able to provide own transportation.

OR

Equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment noted above.

Applications of those who meet the minimum qualifications will be further evaluated against the following criteria:

• Graduate or advanced degree in public health or preventive medicine
• Courses in epidemiology
• Experience working with statewide epidemiologic databases
• Experience with case finding and active follow-up (e.g., case management) for an infectious disease or health condition
• Experience in statistical software (e.g., SAS, STATA or SPSS)
• Experience interpreting and conducting a statistical analysis of health-related data 
• Experience working outbreak investigations
• Experience as a lead worker

All eligible applications shall be reviewed considering the following criteria: qualifications, experience, education and active disciplinary record.

Job Skills: Public Health

Technical Skills: Data Analytics, Data Visualization, Statistics/Mathematics

Professional Skills: Attention to Detail, Reasoning, Interpreting Data

Educational Transcript Requirements 
Official educational transcripts are required for all post-high school educational accomplishments, coursework or degrees claimed on the application. Applicants will be required to submit an official transcript prior to receiving a formal offer of employment. Failure to provide transcripts within five (5) working days of being requested will cause the applicant to be eliminated from further consideration.

Please note that a transcript is considered "official" only if it is an original copy from the educational institution and includes an institutional watermark, ink stamp or embossed stamp. Transcripts printed from the institution's website will not be accepted. ODH reserves the right to assess the academic credibility of an educational entity's award of a putative degree.

Supplemental Information

All answers to the supplemental questions must be supported by the work experience/education provided on your civil service application.

Unless required by legislation, the selected candidate will begin at Pay Grade 33, Step 1 of the union (OCSEA) Pay Range Schedule ($33.52 per hour), with an opportunity for pay increase after six months ($35.15 per hour) of satisfactory performance and then a yearly raise thereafter.

Application Procedures
All applicants must submit a completed Ohio Civil Service Application using the TALEO System.  Paper applications will not be considered.  Applicants must clearly indicate how they meet the minimum qualifications and/or position specific minimum qualifications.  Applicants are also encouraged to document any experience, education and/or training related to the job duties above.  An assessment of these criteria may be conducted to determine the applicants who are interviewed.

Background Check Information
The final candidate selected for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.  

Status of Posted Position
You can check the status of your application online by signing into your profile. Jobs you applied for will be listed. The application status is shown to the right of the position title and application submission details.

172

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

173

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.