STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

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

Hybrid

Recruitment #221114-0287HC-001

Introduction

The State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health (DPHSexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Prevention and Control Program is seeking a dynamic, motivated, and detail-oriented individual to join this exciting, fast-paced public health program as an Epidemiologist 2.  The STD Prevention and Control Program works to prevent the spread of infectious diseases such as syphilis and HIV, by connecting people to appropriate testing and treatment services, identifying people at risk of infection, and notifying people of exposure to sexually transmitted infections (STIs).  Program staff work to ensure all Connecticut residents have equal chances for health regardless of race, ethnicity, age, gender, socioeconomic position, immigrant status, sexual orientation, language, disability, housing status, or geographic area of residence. We are committed to employing a diverse and skilled workforce representative of the communities we serve. The Program is growing and was recently awarded a grant through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to build the public health workforce of the future.  

In this role, under the supervision of the STD Surveillance Coordinator,  you will:

  • Communicate with clinical laboratories  and health care providers about laboratory findings, treatment plans, patient status, and reporting requirements;
  • Respond to health care provider requests for syphilis histories on their current patients;
  • Review and analyze laboratory and case reports for syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia infections;
  • Routinely perform data quality assurance activities (e.g., deduplication, regimen accuracy);
  • Serve as an Interstate Communication Control Record (ICCR) contact;
  • Identify comorbid HIV infection to detect persons who need to be linked to care;
  • Contribute to surveillance data communication products (e.g., statistical reports, infographics);
  • Assist in developing the syphilis outbreak response plan.

This position will work within the STD Prevention and Control Program Surveillance Unit and regularly interact with colleagues in the Tuberculosis, HIV and Viral Hepatitis programs. This is a full-time, first shift, thirty-five (35) hour per week position with a typical work schedule of Monday through Friday. There is opportunity for a partial telework schedule.

Use your data analysis, interpretation, and communication skills to strengthen the evidence base for interventions to reduce transmission of syphilis, HIV, and other sexually transmitted infections. As a key member of the STD Surveillance Unit, you will be trained in field investigation, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, HIV, tuberculosis, hepatitis viruses, and COVID-19. You will work with Disease Intervention Specialists (DIS), who conduct field investigations, to ensure that clients get the care they need and prevent further spread of preventable diseases throughout the state. Join our diverse and dynamic team to make a difference in the health and well-being of Connecticut residents.

The Mission of 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.

This position is conveniently located at our offices at 410 Capitol Avenue in Hartford. 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!

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
Please visit our 'Applicant Tips on How to Apply' page.

This position may be subject to Federal requirements for COVID-19 Vaccination Immunization.

To Apply:
  • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
  • You must specify your qualifications on your application. You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system.
  • In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.
  • All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
  • This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.
Important Next Step Information for After You Apply:
  • Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
  • This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
  • Note: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
  • Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
  • Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State Employees which is available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
Connect With Us:
  • Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process.
  • Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment please contact Pamela Rochette via email at Pamela.Rochette@ct.gov.
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PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

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.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

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.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

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

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

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

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

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.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience using the Connecticut Electronic Diseases Surveillance System (CTEDSS) or another master patient index-based data system;
  • Experience working in a public health agency or a community-based organization which focused on infectious disease prevention or care;
  • Experience using Microsoft Office products, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, and OneDrive;
  • Experience using statistical programs (e.g., SAS, R. EpiInfo) to conduct data analyses;
  • Experience using data visualization software;
  • Master’s degree in public health, sociology, or medical anthropology.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

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.

WORKING CONDITIONS

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

Conclusion

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.