Epidemiologist IV

Recruitment #112322-MDAB04-350500

Introduction

Make a Difference with DHSS

Our mission at the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) is to improve the quality of life of Delaware citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. We prioritize personal and family independence by assisting individuals and families in a variety of life areas.

We offer numerous career opportunities and are dedicated to attracting and retaining highly talented individuals who are ready to make a difference in their community today. DHSS is a great place to kick-start your profession.

For more information, please visit https://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/ today!

Summary Statement

The Epidemiology, Health Data, and Informatics Section is recruiting an Epidemiologist IV position to serve as a Senior Epidemiologist responsible for providing expert-level complex epidemiologic, scientific, and technical guidance on environmental health, informatics, and surveillance projects. This position will serve as the Epidemiology Team Lead for the Delaware Environmental Public Health Tracking Network, My Healthy Community, and will provide senior level epidemiologic capacity and expertise on cross-cutting public health priorities.

Essential Functions

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class.  Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here. 

  • Conducts epidemiologic investigations, descriptive studies or analytic studies. 
  • Identifies public health problems pertinent to the population and determines feasibility and approach for the study.
     
  • Collects, analyzes and interprets data using statistical techniques to identify outbreaks, determine changes in trends and probable causes of epidemiologic problems; uses existing epidemiologic databases to analyze and interpret public health issues.
     
  • Maintains surveillance systems used to monitor disease trends.
     
  • Makes recommendations for continuation or changes to operations, programs, services, policies or procedures based on findings to promote and protect public health.
     
  • May participate on internal and external committees and workgroups related to areas of expertise.

Job Requirements

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Epidemiologist IV
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:
  1. Possession of a Masters degree or higher in Life, Physical, Health Science or related field.
  2. Possession of scientific prominence or recognition with publication in a scientific or trade journal.
  3. Three years experience in designing and implementing epidemiologic research methods for communicable, chronic or environmental diseases or other public health problems.
  4. Three years experience in designing, conducting, and analyzing epidemiologic studies such as developing and testing a hypothesis by selecting cases and controls, determining information needed, data sources, sampling and collection methods.
  5. Three years experience in designing and using surveillance systems to monitor public health problems.
  6. Six months experience in inferential statistics such as correlation, t-tests, f-tests or analysis of variance.
  7. Three years experience in providing epidemiologic direction, guidance and assistance to state and federal agencies or public and private organizations to control public health problems affecting a population.
  8. Six months experience in managing budgets, grants or contracts.

Additional Posting Information

Due to a new requirement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) the following mandate is effective January 27, 2022: As a condition of employment, employees providing health care services and/or support services in covered facilities must show proof that they have received the dose of a single J&J dose or the 1st dose of Moderna/Pfizer two-dose vaccine effective date January 27, 2022, and proof of the single J&J dose or the 2nd dose of Moderna/Pfizer two-dose vaccine by February. 28, 2022. Employees may not provide any care, treatment, or other services until proof is provided.  Based on CMS guidance, the date for compliance may extend into March due to the health care facilities high vaccination rate of staff.  If you accept a position with the facility, your Human Resources representative can provide more guidance.  The only exception to these requirements is for those employees granted medical or religious exemptions from the COVID-19 vaccine as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which may require weekly COVID-19 testing. This will be in effect until further notice.  More information can be found here


This posting may be closed on or before 05/29/2023 upon filling the vacant position(s).

Conditions of Hire

Pre-employment Drug Testing:  Upon a conditional offer, you must undergo pre-employment drug testing as part of the hiring process.

Criminal background check:  A satisfactory criminal background check is required as a condition of hire.  The recruiting agency may require the applicant to pay for the criminal background check as part of the conditional offer of hire.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The State of Delaware participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For more information refer to our Job Seeker Resources.

DHSS does not provide employment-based sponsorship.

Benefits

To learn more about the comprehensive benefit package please visit our website at https://dhr.delaware.gov/benefits/

Selection Process

The application and supplemental questionnaire are evaluated based upon a rating of your education, training and experience as they relate to the job requirements of the position.  It is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application and the supplemental questionnaire to include dates of employment, job title and job duties.  For education and training, list name of educational provider, training course titles and summary of course content.   Narrative information supplied in response to the questions must be supported by the information supplied on the application including your employment, education and training history as it relates to the job requirements.

Once you have submitted your application on-line, all future correspondence related to your application will be sent via email.  Please keep your contact information current.  You may also view all correspondence sent to you by the State of Delaware in the “My Applications” tab at StateJobs.Delaware.gov.

Accommodations

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process.  To request an auxiliary aid or service please call (302) 739-5458. TDD users should call the Delaware Relay Service Number 1-800-232-5460 for assistance.

The State of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage and seek out a workforce representative of Delaware including race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.