Epidemiologist - Health Department

Pima County•Tucson, AZ

About The Position

The STI/HIV Epidemiologist analyzes and describes disease patterns, prevalence, incidence, local circumstances, health equity, and other health outcomes, including factors contributing to unusual increases in disease and their impacts. The position identifies solutions for prevention, control, and health policy, and provides regular surveillance of outbreaks affecting the community and individual cases related to HIV, congenital syphilis, and other sexually transmitted infections. The epidemiologist collaborates across the Pima County Health Department and with healthcare professionals, government agencies, and community organizations to promote public health and improve health outcomes. This is a grant-funded position ending May 2031. The position requires proof of vaccination, or the ability to become fully vaccinated by the start date, for Tdap (within the last 10 years), Varicella, MMR, and Hepatitis B. Hepatitis B vaccine will be provided. The work may involve a high risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Employees must have reliable access to a properly registered and insured vehicle for travel between work sites; use of a personal vehicle will be reimbursed according to County policies. A valid driver license is required at application, and a valid Arizona driver license is required at appointment. A 39-month DOT Motor Vehicle Record review and Fleet Services approval of the driving record are required. The position is subject to pre-employment background screening and may require post-offer proof of immunizations and/or TB screening. The salary hiring range is $62,337–$74,796 annually; the full pay range is $62,337–$87,276 annually. The hiring offer may reflect skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity. Minimum qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in a qualifying scientific or social science field and two years of experience in epidemiological investigative activities, with relevant education and/or experience potentially substitutable; alternatively, two years with Pima County in a Communicable Disease Investigator II or related position may qualify. Preferred qualifications include at least two years of STI/HIV epidemiological investigative activities and data analysis, at least two years using SAS, R, or Stata, a degree in a related field, and experience with or knowledge of dashboarding software.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, majoring in epidemiology, biology, microbiology, public health, biostatistics, biochemistry, medical anthropology, nursing, or a related scientific or social science field, and two years of experience in epidemiological investigative activities; relevant experience and/or education may be substituted.
Alternatively, two years with Pima County in a Communicable Disease Investigator II or related position, as determined by the department head.
Qualifying education and experience must be documented in the application’s Education and Work Experience sections.
Valid driver license at application and valid Arizona driver license at appointment.
Must have reliable access to a properly registered and insured vehicle for travel between work sites.
Must provide proof of vaccination or be able to become fully vaccinated by the start date for Tdap (within the last 10 years), Varicella, MMR, and Hepatitis B.
Must satisfy applicable post-offer immunization and/or TB screening requirements.
Must pass applicable pre-employment background screening and receive Fleet Services approval of the driving record.

Nice To Haves

At least two years of experience in STI/HIV epidemiological investigative activities and data analysis as an epidemiologist or communicable disease investigator.
At least two years of experience with at least one of SAS, R, or Stata.
Degree in epidemiology, biostatistics, public health, biology, microbiology, medical anthropology, or a related scientific or social science field.
Experience with or knowledge of dashboarding software such as Qlik, PowerBI, Tableau, or RShiny.

Responsibilities

Collect, analyze, and interpret epidemiologic data to assess disease incidence, prevalence, trends, risk factors, and health disparities.
Design, implement, and evaluate disease surveillance systems, outbreak investigations, and epidemiologic studies, including case-control and cohort studies.
Monitor disease patterns to detect outbreaks, clusters, emerging threats, and potential epidemics, and identify sources and transmission pathways.
Apply statistical methods and epidemiologic principles to analyze morbidity, mortality, natality, and environmental health data.
Develop, organize, and implement disease prevention and control interventions, including vaccination campaigns, advisories, and containment measures.
Provide epidemiologic expertise to public health emergency preparedness and response activities, including disasters and unusual events.
Analyze geographic, environmental, social, occupational, and economic factors influencing disease and disability patterns using GIS and data visualization tools.
Communicate findings through reports, presentations, training, and consultations with clinicians, public health officials, policymakers, and the public.
Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to support disease prevention, health promotion, and healthcare improvement strategies.
Develop and maintain epidemiologic databases and support laboratory specimen handling and data management according to protocols and safety standards.
Provide regular surveillance of outbreaks and individual cases related to HIV, congenital syphilis, and other sexually transmitted infections.