Epidemiologist 2 (Infectious/Chronic Diseases) (35 Hour)

The State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health (DPH), is currently recruiting for an Epidemiologist 2 within the Environmental Health Section. This Epidemiologist 2 position will be responsible for investigating foodborne outbreaks, assisting in the development of emergency plans, participating in emergency drills and exercises, and providing support at the State Emergency Operating Center. This position assists with training food inspectors to identify risk factors for foodborne disease, conducting environmental assessments during investigations, conducting assessments of food inspection programs, and other food protection related duties.

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Sue Ciccaglione at sue.ciccaglione@ct.gov or (860) 509-7183.

In the Department of Public Health this class is accountable for performing the full range of tasks in investigating infectious, chronic and non-infectious diseases and implementing disease prevention methods.

Leads and participates in routine epidemiologic investigations to identify risk factors and implements and evaluates resulting intervention measures; collect and collates data including performing interviews; performs data analysis and summarizes relevant epidemiologic investigation data into tables, charts and written reports; provides technical information to the professional and lay public including local health departments; collaborates in the preparation and presentation of workshops; may respond to media inquiries; maintains an orderly surveillance system capable of detecting risk factors and changes in disease patterns; may administer biologics or collect specimens such as blood and urine samples, throat and rectal swabs under the supervision of a physician.

Considerable knowledge of infectious and/or chronic disease processes; considerable knowledge of relevant disease processes which affect humans and animals; considerable knowledge of epidemiological methods and techniques; knowledge of basic biological processes; oral and written communications skills; interpersonal skills; computer skills; ability to independently perform epidemiological investigations; ability to independently collect, analyze and interpret epidemiological data.

Six (6) years' experience in conducting epidemiological investigations in a responsible technical or professional capacity.

One (1) year of the General Experience must have involved interviewing and performing trend analyses at or above the level of Epidemiologist 1.

1. College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
2. A Master's degree in Public Health, Community Medicine or a related health science may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
3. A Doctorate in a related discipline such as Public Health, Medicine or a natural or behavioral science may be substituted for the General Experience.

• Experience in managing surveillance/complaint data systems, writing/evaluating food emergency plans and developing/planning and participating in food emergency drills/exercises;

• Experience conducting state and multi-state foodborne outbreak investigations including: collecting data through observation and interviews at implicated food establishments; conducting environmental assessments; collecting samples, interacting with industry, report writing, and performing tracebacks to determine source of implicated food;

• Experience collaborating with federal, state and local health officials, (including epidemiologists and laboratory personnel to determine contributing factors and antecedents to implement the necessary controls for reducing risk of further disease;

• Experience as a FDA Retail Food Safety Standardization Officer in training and evaluating food inspectors for their ability to identify risk factors for foodborne disease and conduct risk based inspections; also experience evaluating food protection programs;

• Experience developing and delivering educational and training materials and presentations on conducting outbreak investigations, the identification and reduction of risk factors for foodborne disease, and food related emergency preparedness to both large and small groups.

1. Incumbents in this class must be willing to be immunized for communicable diseases as necessary and appropriate.
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to communicable diseases and hazardous substance.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Department of Public Health aims to provide equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and advancement, fostering an environment committed to supporting individuals in all protected classes. If you require an aid/accommodation to participate fully and fairly, please contact the Human Resources Office at (860) 509-7177.