Measles Epidemiologist

Wiserhunt•Indianapolis, IN

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Measles Epidemiologist conducts broad and complex investigative and analytical epidemiological activities to perform measles surveillance and minimize measles-related morbidity and mortality among Indiana residents. The position requires expert or rapidly acquired 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 role may serve as a team lead for an assigned work group and may be the after-hours epidemiologist on call for approximately two to three weeks per year, if applicable to the program area. The position works with the supervisor to develop guidelines, projects, and assigned work. The employee plans, directs, monitors, and evaluates assigned projects, resolves most project conflicts, applies policies and accepted practices, and keeps the supervisor informed of progress and critical matters. Work is reviewed for feasibility, conformance with program policy and practices, and effectiveness in meeting objectives. The employee works closely with CDC, laboratories, health care providers, local health departments, other state agencies, and other partners. The position is hybrid, based at 2 N Meridian St, Indianapolis, Indiana. Essential functions require travel on most workdays to investigate clients, customers, or other 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. Occasional and/or overnight travel is required, and work is performed in a standard office environment where extended periods of sitting may be expected.

Requirements

Knowledge of disease epidemiology and biology, public health topics, and applicable state laws, regulations, and federal public health guidance.
Skill in identifying public health problems relevant to Indiana residents and conducting disease surveillance, including selecting field methods and using and evaluating surveillance systems.
Skill in eliciting relevant information through structured or unstructured patient telephone interviews.
Skill in investigating individual cases and outbreaks and designing descriptive and analytical epidemiologic investigations, including hypothesis generation.
Skill in managing large datasets, conducting complex analyses, and identifying key findings.
Skill in recommending evidence-based interventions and control measures based on epidemiologic findings.
Skill in preparing reports, presentations, and educational materials for internal and external partners.
Skill in applying informatics principles to epidemiologic data collection, processing, and analysis.
At least five years of proficiency with at least one of EpiInfo, SAS, ArcGIS, SQL, SPSS, R, Python, or Stata.
At least five years of hands-on disease surveillance experience, including use of surveillance systems.
At least five years of experience leading or coordinating outbreak or case investigations; vaccine-preventable or communicable disease experience is desirable.
At least five years of experience analyzing large datasets, conducting complex analyses, and performing descriptive and analytical studies.
Ability to identify and appropriately use laboratory resources.
Ability to provide prompt, courteous, and helpful customer service; collaborate with internal and external partners; and communicate effectively orally and in writing, including using risk-communication principles where appropriate.
Ability to prioritize work to meet deadlines and maintain accurate documentation and organized records.
At least 10 years of public health experience in a similar role, with relevant education allowed to substitute for equivalent years of experience.
Education/experience pathways listed in the posting: a relevant master’s degree; or a relevant bachelor’s degree and at least two years of public health experience; or a non-relevant bachelor’s degree and at least four years of public health experience; or a high school diploma or GED and at least eight years of public health experience.
Ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
Knowledge of state and federal privacy laws and a commitment to protecting patient confidentiality.
Ability to exercise independent judgment, manage complex situations, adapt priorities to emergent threats, and bring controversial or complex issues to the supervisor.

Nice To Haves

Experience interviewing patients or cases by telephone.
Experience creating reports and presentations for health departments, providers, or the public.
Training or educational presentation experience with external audiences.
Collaboration experience with CDC, state or local health departments, laboratories, or providers.
Knowledge of public health law, privacy rules, and confidentiality requirements such as HIPAA.
Experience writing grant or funding proposals.
Team lead or supervisory experience, including hiring, training, and evaluating staff.
A relevant degree in public health, epidemiology, biostatistics, biological sciences, or social sciences.

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 outbreaks.
Design and conduct applied epidemiologic studies.
Manage and analyze data from surveillance, investigations, and applied studies.
Prepare and disseminate written and oral reports and presentations for internal and external partners.
Conduct educational presentations and training 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.
If applicable to the program area, 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 proper procedures.
Plan, direct, monitor, and evaluate assigned projects; resolve project conflicts and keep the supervisor informed of progress and critical issues.
Travel to investigate clients, customers, or regulated entities and prepare reports at those sites or at the employee’s home.
Identify and carry out process improvements or special projects that benefit the agency and Indiana residents.
Protect patient confidentiality, identify possible ethical conflicts, and seek supervisory guidance when needed.