Communicable Disease Epidemiologist I or II - (Hybrid Work Schedule) bei Arapahoe County, CO

About the Department

The Communicable Disease Epidemiologist performs day-to-day case investigation, follow-up and reporting of foodborne, waterborne, zoonotic, vaccine preventable and respiratory communicable disease incidents and outbreak investigations.

NOTE:  Arapahoe County Public Health currently anticipates hiring this position as a Communicable Disease Epidemiologist I or II. This position is eligible but not guaranteed for possible career progression in the future as outlined below: 

• Salary Range for Communicable Disease Epidemiologist I is:  $58,448.52 - $87,673.04
• Salary Range for Communicable Disease Epidemiologist II is:  $68,071.12 - $108,736.16
• Salary Range for Communicable Disease Epidemiologist III is:  $74,877.40 - $119,610.14

Position Duties

• Conducts day-to-day investigation, follow-up, and reporting of communicable disease incidents, conducts interviews, and assists with site visits as needed, determines sources of infection, and implements control measures, and performs specimen collection as needed.

• Works in coordination with a variety of health-related organizations in the performance of investigations.

• Conducts case-control and cohort studies, interviews subjects and performs other data collection and analysis for special communicable disease projects.

• Leads outbreak investigations and works with in collaboration with various team members to perform outbreak investigations and response functions.

• Collaborates with various key members to monitor and identify trends and clusters of communicable diseases and develop action plans to address trends and issues.

• Works with communicable disease data through the Colorado surveillance and outbreak management system to complete data surveillance forms, develop line lists, epi curves, and perform basic epi analyses.

• Provides technical support and expertise to Arapahoe County staff, local health care providers and the general public regarding communicable disease prevention and control via the phone and Health Alert Network.

• Contributes to internal and external workgroups in various aspects of communicable disease expertise, training, control and surveillance efforts.Develops and provides presentations on Arapahoe County’s Public Health disease intervention activities and outbreak investigations. 

Emergency Preparedness and Response
Responds, as required, to support public health emergencies, incidents, and events. Employee participates in all exercises and drills on emergency preparedness and response, as required. Completes trainings identified as appropriate for this level employee and initiates corrective actions and responses pursuant to Federal, State, and Local laws, statutes, and regulations.

Skills, Abilities and Competencies:

CD Epidemiologist I

• Basic knowledge of the principles of communicable disease epidemiology, investigative techniques and situation analysis of communicable disease incidents.

• Basic knowledge of medical terminology and disease reporting.

• Familiarity with basic quantitative epidemiology concepts.

• Familiarity or basic knowledge of SAS, R, PowerBI, and/or EPI skills preferred.

CD Epidemiologist II

• Demonstrates competencies related to CD Epidemiologist I benchmarks and skills prior to becoming eligible for advancement.

• Strong knowledge of principles of communicable disease epidemiology, investigative techniques and situation analysis of communicable disease incidents.

• Strong knowledge of medical terminology and disease reporting.

• Understanding and application of basic quantitative epidemiology concepts.

• Knowledge and correct application of SAS, R, PowerBI, and/or EPI skills.

• Independently lead investigations and evaluate, quantify, and interpret information relative to disease epidemiology.

• Interview all notifiable disease cases, including routine,24-hour, and immediately reportable diseases, and discuss sensitive topics with ill cases.

CD Epidemiologist III

• Demonstrates competencies related to CD Epidemiologist II benchmarks and skills prior to becoming eligible for advancement.

• Expert knowledge of principles of communicable disease epidemiology, investigative techniques and situation analysis of communicable disease incidents.

• Expert knowledge of medical terminology and disease reporting.

• Expert understanding and application of quantitative epidemiology concepts.

• Knowledge and expertise in the application of SAS, R, PowerBI, and/or EPI skills.

• Independently leads and may direct investigations and evaluate, quantify, and interpret information relative to disease epidemiology.

• Interview all notifiable disease cases, including routine,24-hour, and immediately reportable diseases, and discuss sensitive topics with ill cases.

• Ability train, mentor, and guide professional and support staff in productive, positive manner.

• Ability to provide coverage and leadership in absence of manager.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience: 

CD Epidemiologist I:

• Bachelors in public health or related field + 1 year of relevant experience
  OR

• Masters Degree in Public Health with focus on Epidemiology

• Any equivalent combination of education and work experience that satisfy the requirements of the job will be considered.
  

CD Epidemiologist II:

• Bachelors in public health or related field + 3 years of relevant experience
  OR

• Master’s degree in public health with focus on Epidemiology + 1 year relevant experience

• Any equivalent combination of education and work experience that satisfy the requirements of the job will be considered.

CD Epidemiologist III:

• Bachelors in public health or related field + 5 years relevant experience
  OR
• Masters Degree in Public Health with focus on Epidemiology + 3 years relevant experience
• Any equivalent combination of education and work experience that satisfy the requirements of the job will be considered.

Other Qualifications

Pre-Employment Additional Requirements:

• Must successfully pass pre-employment testing which includes an acceptable motor vehicle record (MVR) and background check.

• Possession of a valid Class “R” Colorado Driver’s License or the ability to obtain one within two weeks of appointment.

Post-Employment Additional Requirements

• Must work on-call rotation for urgent business hours/after-hours calls related to communicable disease control.

• Work locations and facilities are subject to change based on business need.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Work is generally confined to a standard office environment but will also involve some field work, including site inspection visits.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Spends 60% of the time sitting and 40% of the time either upright or walking.

• Occasionally lifts, carries, pulls or pushes up to 50 lbs.

• Occasionally uses cart, dolly, or other equipment to carry in excess of 50 lbs.

• Occasionally climbs, stoops, kneels, balances, reaches, crawls and crouches while performing office or work duties.

• Verbal and auditory capacity enabling constant interpersonal communication through automated devices, such as telephones, radios, and similar; and in public meetings and personal interactions.

• Constant use of eye, hand and finger coordination enabling the use of automated office machinery or equipment.

• Visual capacity enabling constant use of computer or other work-related equipment.

This role requires wearing of PPE (personal protective equipment) in potentially hazardous environments when necessary, including protective clothing, safety goggles/glasses, and closed toed, slip-resistant shoes.

Definitions:
Occasionally: Activity exists less than 1/3 of the time.
Frequently: Activity exists between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time.
Constantly: Activity exists more than 2/3 of the time.