INTERNAL ONLY: Program Manager – Communicable Disease (Epidemiology)

Lorain County Public Health-•Elyria, OH

7d•$33 - $42

About The Position

Under the general direction of the Emergency Preparedness & Epidemiology Director, the Program Manager oversees and coordinates communicable disease surveillance, outbreak response, reportable disease investigations, and infectious disease prevention activities. This position ensures compliance with state and federal public health regulations, supports infection control consultation, and provides leadership in communicable disease programming, data reporting, and continuous quality improvement.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Biology, Health Sciences, or related field
Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in communicable disease epidemiology, surveillance, or public health program leadership
Experience with outbreak investigations and surveillance systems (ODRS strongly preferred)
Valid driver’s license
Knowledge of: Communicable disease epidemiology, surveillance, and outbreak investigation
Ohio infectious disease reporting requirements and IDCM guidelines
Infection prevention and outbreak control practices
Public health data systems including ODRS and electronic surveillance tools
Grant development and public health program planning
Ability to: Define problems, collect and analyze epidemiologic data, and draw valid conclusions
Lead outbreak response efforts under pressure with professionalism
Communicate effectively with healthcare providers, staff, and the public
Prepare analytic surveillance reports and case study reports
Establish leadership and foster collaboration across divisions

Nice To Haves

Master’s preferred

Responsibilities

Provide oversight of communicable disease programs to ensure minimum program standards are met and reporting requirements are completed accurately and timely.
Serve as program lead for outbreak response activities for community, foodborne, healthcare-associated, institutional, waterborne, and zoonotic diseases of public health concern.
Coordinate communicable disease case investigations, including interviews, follow-up, and contact tracing activities as needed.
Provide leadership and support for staff responsible for reportable disease entry, laboratory follow-up, and surveillance through ODRS (Ohio Disease Reporting System).
Serve as primary liaison to local healthcare systems and infection prevention staff for communicable disease consultation, reporting requirements, and outbreak guidance.
Develop and maintain written response protocols, educational materials, and reference tools for complex or rare communicable disease events.
Prepare infectious disease surveillance reports, data briefs/dashboards, and trend summaries to support community awareness and agency planning.
Utilize disease monitoring and mapping tools (e.g., EpiCenter, ArcGIS) to support outbreak detection, emergency preparedness, and epidemiologic investigations.
Work proactively with Population Health and communications staff to develop appropriate public messaging based on surveillance trends and emerging threats.
Identify and pursue grant opportunities related to infectious disease prevention and response activities.
Train, mentor, and support epidemiology staff, interns, and community partners in communicable disease best practices and program standards.
Assist in departmental planning, budgeting, performance management, and continuous quality improvement efforts as related to communicable disease priorities.
Perform other related duties as assigned.