IN-DOH-Measles Epidemiologist II

Cynet Systems•Indianapolis, IN

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Measles Epidemiologist II minimizes measles-related morbidity and mortality among Indiana residents by conducting complex investigative and analytical epidemiological work and measles surveillance. The role requires expert knowledge of disease epidemiology and biology, independent judgment in complex situations, and the ability to reprioritize work in response to emerging public health threats. The employee initially works under close supervision and becomes more independent with experience, planning and managing assigned projects and keeping the supervisor informed of progress and critical issues. The position works closely with stakeholders including the CDC, laboratories, health care providers, local health departments, other state agencies, and internal and external partners. It may serve as a team lead for an assigned work group and includes recruiting, onboarding, training, and evaluating employees. The employee must protect patient confidentiality, follow agency policies, practice cultural sensitivity, and identify ethical issues for supervisor guidance. The role requires travel on most workdays to investigate or examine clients, customers, or regulated entities and prepare reports at those sites or at the employee’s home. The employee reports to the agency office occasionally for meetings or events. Work hours may vary to meet operational and staffing needs. The position is hybrid, with two days in person and three remote, potentially fewer in-person days depending on meetings and trainings. Occasional and overnight travel is required, and the role is performed in a standard office environment where extended periods of sitting may be expected. If applicable to the program area, the employee may serve as an after-hours epidemiologist on call for approximately two to three weeks per year. Other duties may be assigned.

Requirements

A master’s degree in a relevant field such as public health, biological sciences, or social sciences; OR a master’s degree in a non-relevant field plus at least 2 years of public health experience; OR a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field plus at least 2 years of public health experience; OR a bachelor’s degree in a non-relevant field plus at least 4 years of public health experience; OR a high school diploma or GED plus at least 8 years of public health experience.
At least 10 years of relevant public health experience in a similar role, or relevant education that substitutes for part of the experience requirement.
At least 5 years of proficiency in at least one of EpiInfo, SAS, ArcGIS, SQL, SPSS, R, Python, or Stata.
At least 5 years of hands-on disease surveillance experience, including use of surveillance systems.
At least 5 years of experience leading or coordinating case or outbreak investigations; vaccine-preventable or communicable disease experience is relevant.
At least 5 years of experience working with large datasets, conducting complex analyses, and performing descriptive and analytical studies.
Knowledge of disease epidemiology and biology, state laws and regulations, and federal public health guidance.
Skill in identifying public health problems, conducting surveillance and investigations, selecting field methods, interviewing patients, designing epidemiologic studies, analyzing data, and recommending evidence-based interventions.
Ability to identify and use appropriate laboratory resources; provide courteous customer service; collaborate with partners; communicate effectively, including using risk communication when appropriate; prioritize deadlines; and maintain organized records.
Ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
Willingness and ability to travel on most workdays, including occasional overnight travel.

Nice To Haves

Experience conducting patient or case telephone interviews.
Experience creating reports and presentations for health departments, providers, or the public.
Experience delivering training or education to external audiences.
Experience collaborating with CDC, state or local health departments, laboratories, or health care providers.
Knowledge of public health law, privacy rules, and confidentiality, such as HIPAA.
Experience writing grants or funding proposals.
Team lead or supervisory experience, including hiring, training, and evaluating staff.

Responsibilities

Maintain current subject matter knowledge of disease epidemiology, biology, and public health topics.
Provide epidemiologic consultation and technical assistance to local health departments, health care providers, the public, and other partners.
Conduct routine epidemiologic surveillance.
Lead or coordinate investigations of individual cases and disease or public health topic outbreaks.
Design and conduct applied epidemiologic studies.
Manage and analyze data from surveillance, investigations, and applied studies.
Prepare and deliver written and oral reports and presentations to internal and external partners.
Conduct educational presentations and trainings for local health departments, health care providers, veterinarians, and the public.
Engage with the public at health fairs and other outreach events.
Participate in writing grants and other funding proposals.
Serve as backup to other staff as needed and, if applicable, serve as the after-hours epidemiologist on call for approximately two to three weeks per year.
Recruit, select, onboard, and train employees; set expectations, monitor progress, provide feedback, and evaluate performance.
Ensure work meets quality standards, deadlines, and required procedures.
Travel to investigate or examine clients, customers, or regulated entities and prepare reports at work sites or the employee’s home.
Maintain good working relationships with CDC, laboratories, health care providers, local health departments, other state agencies, and other partners.
Protect patient confidentiality, follow agency administrative and fiscal policies, and practice cultural sensitivity.
Identify process improvements, special projects, professional development opportunities, and potential ethical conflicts; seek supervisor guidance on ethical conflicts and complex or controversial issues.