Epidemiologist - Investigations Team (Grant Funded)
About The Position
Under general direction, investigates, controls, and reports outbreaks of communicable diseases. The role is part of the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District Epidemiology Investigation Team and may be assigned to investigations, epidemiology analysis, or HIV incidence surveillance. Work is primarily in an office environment, with occasional exposure to hazardous materials, bodily fluids, and infectious diseases. The position may directly supervise assigned staff and may involve field epidemiological research, including sitting, standing, reaching, walking, and occasionally lifting equipment weighing up to 25 pounds. The position is grant funded, unclassified, and has no disciplinary appeal rights to the Municipal Civil Service Commission. Employment is at will. Staff in high-risk positions must obtain relevant immunizations under SAMHD policy, with requests for exemptions reviewed. Staff are expected to apply a health equity lens to programs, services, and decisions affecting the community. The position is based at City Tower, 100 W. Houston Street, San Antonio, Texas, and works 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, with preferably relevant coursework in public health, epidemiology, or a related field, and two years of experience in disease control, infection control, or epidemiology; OR a required master's degree in public health, epidemiology, biostatistics, or a related field.
- Valid Class C Texas Driver's License.
- Knowledge of epidemiology and related biostatistics, infectious disease symptoms, microbiology, laboratory procedures, medications, and epidemiologic procedures.
- Knowledge of communicable diseases, computer systems and computer language, medical equipment care, record-keeping laws and organization, and social service agencies.
- Knowledge of supervision, training, personnel management, and budget preparation and administration.
- Skill in using a personal computer, associated software, and basic office equipment.
- Ability to plan, conduct, and report epidemiological investigations and interpret laboratory data and assess its validity.
- Ability to communicate effectively and concisely with physicians, medical personnel, patients, and media, and to make informative presentations.
- Ability to research and evaluate planning data for clinic distribution and organize and network using community resources.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City staff and the general public.
- Ability to perform the physical requirements of the position, with or without accommodations.
Nice To Haves
- Excellent computer skills.
- Data analysis experience.
- Disease investigations experience.
- Bilingual in English and Spanish.
Responsibilities
- Assist with data collection, assessment, and evaluation of surveillance processes.
- Assist with planning, developing, and coordinating investigations of acute and chronic conditions, as applicable to the assigned division.
- Investigate waterborne, foodborne, zoonotic, respiratory, vaccine-preventable, and other communicable diseases.
- Analyze and interpret epidemiologic data and assess potential health effects from communicable disease exposure.
- Report data and findings in compliance with local, state, and federal guidelines and regulations.
- Present investigation results to professional, state, and local partners.
- Consult with physicians, nurses, and infection control staff and recommend interventions and control measures based on epidemiologic findings.
- Initiate, review, and provide consultation on epidemiological investigations.
- Work with public relations staff to maintain website content and release information to the media about current communicable disease investigations.
- Represent the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District and deliver presentations at conferences and meetings.
- Participate in community health assessments, identify key health indicators, and develop ongoing assessment activities, as applicable to assignment.
- Recruit regional laboratories for HIV Incidence Surveillance; collect, process, prepare, ship, and track specimens according to established policies; and monitor specimen-preparation quality control.
- Collect and assess the quality of incident data on newly reported HIV cases, manage HIV Incidence Surveillance data, and participate in related reporting calls and meetings.
- Collaborate with staff on environmental or other communicable disease and foodborne outbreak work.
- Investigate cases through records review and interviews with medical personnel, patients, and family members.
- Maintain statistical information on reportable diseases within the jurisdiction and oversee accurate, timely disease reporting.
- Develop disease control and prevention programs and produce epidemiologic reports as needed.
- Assist with quality assurance and quality improvement processes.
- Build and maintain partnerships with outside organizations and agencies, providing guidance and technical assistance.
- Participate in communicable disease surveillance calls and meetings and maintain the security and confidentiality of sensitive data.
- May supervise assigned staff and perform related duties as required.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
