Epidemiologist 1 (Toxic Hazards) (35 Hour)

The State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health (DPH) is hiring! We are seeking a qualified individual for the position of Epidemiologist 1. This Epidemiologist 1 position will work in Department of Public Health's Environmental Health and Drinking Water (EHDW) Branch, within the Environmental Health Section. The Environmental Health Section focuses on the interrelationships between people and their environment, promotes human health and well-being, and fosters healthy and safe communities.  

The Epidemiologist 1 will serve as a regional case manager and ensure local health departments/districts assigned to their region comply with disease surveillance and child and environmental case management protocols for lead poisoned children as outlined in Lead Poisoning Prevention and Control Regulations (Sections 19a-111-1 through 19a - 111-11).This position will also be responsible for using the lead surveillance system to track individual disease cases and environmental properties until case closure, collaborating with multiple state, local, and non-profit agencies to assist in establishing policies to prevent lead poisoning, communicating the risks of lead poisoning to the general public, writing technical reports and giving oral presentations in order to disseminate public health data. 

Discover the opportunity to:

• Serve as a regional case manager and ensure LHDs comply with disease surveillance and child and environmental case management protocols for lead poisoned children
• Use the lead surveillance system to track individual disease cases and environmental properties until case closure
• Conduct audits of the licensed/certified workforce who engage in lead abatement, inspection and training activities
• Collaborate with multiple state, local, and non-profit agencies to assist in establishing policies to prevent lead poisoning
• Conduct lead refresher training for LHD code enforcement officials
• Answer lead poisoning related questions from a varied audience (medical, general public, inspectors, local health) as part of phone coverage responsibilities
• Perform activities required by grant deliverables

The Mission of the Department of Public Health (DPH) is to protect and improve the health and safety of the people of Connecticut by assuring the conditions in which people can be healthy, preventing disease, injury, and disability, and promoting the equal enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health, which is a human right and a priority of the state.

DPH accomplishes this through the implementation of its Strategic Plan which outlines the actions that DPH is taking to accomplish its Mission.

Are you interested in joining our team as an Epidemiologist 1? We encourage you to apply today! This position is conveniently located in Hartford, CT. The work schedule for this position is typically Monday - Friday, 35 hours per week. A flex schedule may be permitted following the successful completion of a working test period.

We offer a competitive benefits package, excellent health care, generous leave policies, retirement plan, and more!  We also encourage a healthy work-life balance to all employees!

The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.

This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.  

Due to the volume of applications anticipated, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be provided through your JobAps portal account. 

Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience most closely meet the preferred requirements of the position. Applicants invited to interview may be required to submit additional documentation, which supports their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: performance reviews, supervisory references, college transcripts, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency. 

Please Note: You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system.

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date. The email notification will include an expiration date by which you must submit (Finish) your responses. Please regularly check your email for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders, as emails could end up there in error. 

The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Chelsea Moore at Chelsea.Moore@ct.gov

In the Department of Public Health this class is accountable for assisting is the compilation and interpretation of epidemiologic/scientific data and statistics including field investigations and literature review.

Assists program staff in epidemiologic investigations of acute and chronic diseases; assists in interviewing of individuals relative to disease outbreaks; under supervision of an Epidemiologist of higher grade, maintains a surveillance system capable of detecting risk factors and changes in disease patterns; makes appropriate contacts with public health and other agencies, health professionals, hospitals, etc. to facilitate disease follow up and surveillance; answers general informational questions from the public and medical community; regularly reviews scientific literature to maintain a current knowledge of pertinent disease processes; may administer biologics or collect specimens such as blood and urine samples, throat and rectal swabs under supervision of a physician; may compile statistics and do less complex calculations and interpretations; In addition to the foregoing, in the Toxic Hazards Section or its Radon Program, participates in epidemiological investigations of human exposures to chemical and radiological hazards in both occupational and non-occupational environments; participates in preparation of health risk assessments; compiles statistics and may do routine calculations and interpretations; performs related duties as required.

Knowledge of occupational/environmental epidemiology and/or toxicology; knowledge of relevant disease processes which affect humans and animals; knowledge of epidemiological methods; knowledge of basic biological processes; interpersonal skills; oral and written communications skills; ability to research scientific literature and develop and gather data.

Five (5) years' experience in a responsible technical or professional capacity in epidemiological investigations.

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 bacteriology, biochemistry, biostatistics, environmental science, health physics, industrial hygiene, physiology, public health or toxicology may be substituted for the General Experience.

3. A Doctorate in a related discipline such as medicine, public health or a natural or behavioral science may be substituted for the General Experience.

• Experience in lead/lead poisoning prevention and basic epidemiological measures
• Experience with conducting disease surveillance and management or comparable experience, including case investigations, data entry and analysis, and preparation of summary reports of findings
• Experience with the DPH Lead Surveillance System (Maven) or a similar system
• Experience with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Access
• Experience with risk communication to healthcare providers, local health department/district officials, and the general public
• Experience writing technical reports
• Experience giving oral presentations in order to disseminate public health data in a clear and succinct manner using Word and PowerPoint software

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 substances.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.