Communicable Disease Investigator

Cuyahoga County Board of Health • Parma, OH

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Communicable Disease Investigator investigates and monitors reportable infectious diseases, disease trends, outbreaks, and illness clusters. The role gathers and enters case information, analyzes disease data, communicates infection-control guidance, and collaborates with healthcare providers, health departments, institutions, and other partners. The position reports to the Epidemiology Supervisor and is full-time and bargaining-unit. The position is scheduled to be filled November 30, 2026, with a starting salary of $50,420 annually.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Core work hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. are required for all staff. After at least 60 days of employment and with approval, remote work may be available up to two days per week. Alternate or changed work schedules may be available after the initial training period, with approval. New hires must meet vaccination requirements or request an exemption and submit a TB baseline as outlined in the CCBH Vaccination Policy.

Applicants must submit an online application, resume, and cover letter. The application deadline is October 30, 2026. Bilingual applicants are welcome. Employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring employment visa sponsorship now or in the future. Positions funded in whole or in part by a designated funding source may be subject to layoff if that funding is reduced or eliminated.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in biological sciences, environmental health, nursing, or public health; curriculum must include at least one epidemiology course.
• Graduate-level epidemiology coursework is required annually.
• Complete a 'Principals of Epidemiology' course within the first six months of employment.
• At least two years of public health or equivalent experience under the supervision of an epidemiologist with a bachelor's degree, or no experience is necessary with a master's degree.
• Valid driver's license and insurance at the time of appointment.
• Basic knowledge of local, state, and federal guidance concerning infectious disease transmission, prevention, and epidemiology principles.
• Ability to efficiently multitask on a daily basis.
• Proficiency with PC hardware, basic software such as Microsoft Office, email, and office equipment such as copiers, fax machines, scanners, and telephones.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Excel.
• Good customer service, verbal and written communication, and presentation skills.
• Good interpersonal skills, including cultural sensitivity and competence.
• Proficiency using databases for data querying and reporting.
• Mathematical aptitude necessary to perform statistical analysis.
• Ability to meet vaccination requirements or request an exemption and submit a TB baseline under the CCBH Vaccination Policy.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States without requiring employment visa sponsorship now or in the future.
• Submit a resume and cover letter with the online application.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual applicants are welcome.

Responsibilities

• Investigate reportable infectious diseases according to the Ohio Infectious Disease Control Manual.
• Receive and enter infection case information into the Ohio Disease Reporting System (ODRS).
• Monitor infectious disease surveillance systems for significant trends and early detection of emerging diseases in sensitive settings such as food handling, childcare, and adult care.
• Investigate, coordinate, or assist with reported disease outbreaks and illness clusters; review findings and identify internal partners for follow-up.
• Contact healthcare providers to gather additional information as needed.
• Collect and analyze reportable infectious disease data for quarterly and annual reports.
• Respond to infectious disease inquiries from schools, institutions, businesses, individuals, and others.
• Collaborate with other health departments, hospitals, healthcare providers, and other partners.
• Educate institutions about outbreak-handling procedures and gather outbreak information as needed.
• Interview and re-interview people infected with or suspected of having a communicable or infectious disease to determine the source of transmission.
• Assess and communicate restriction instructions to infected individuals and employers in alignment with the Ohio Infectious Disease Control Manual.
• Conduct basic univariate, bivariate, and stratified statistical analyses using software such as SPSS, SAS, or Epi Info.
• Serve as the primary contact for Class A diseases reported outside normal business hours.
• Lead the agency Health Alert Network and review and update its Standard Operating Guidelines.
• Interpret and implement local, state, and federal infectious disease control guidelines.
• Develop and extract database reports for internal and external customers.
• Gather and organize documents for public records requests and other reporting obligations.
• Participate in public health emergency activities as needed and serve as a first responder on the outbreak investigation team.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners on special projects as assigned.
• Operate agency-owned fleet vehicles at offsite service locations if required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical insurance (full-time employees are responsible for 10% of the premium).
• Dental insurance (full-time employees are responsible for 10% of the premium).
• Vision coverage.
• Public Employee Retirement System (PERS).
• Deferred compensation.
• Health and dependent care FSA.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• 14 paid holidays per year.
• 13 paid vacation days per year for new-service PERS members.
• 15 paid sick days per year.
• Up to 3 paid personal days per year.
• Agency-paid life insurance.
• Additional voluntary life insurance.
• Voluntary identity theft protection.
• Voluntary critical illness insurance.
• Voluntary accident insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Free parking onsite.
• Remote work from home available up to two days per week with approval after a minimum of 60 days of employment.
• Alternate work schedule or schedule changes may be available after the initial training period with approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level