What are the responsibilities and job description for the Epidemiologist position at Marion County?
This recruitment has been reopened for additional applicants. If you have already applied for recruitment #507-2023-1, you do not need to reapply.
Marion County Health and Human Services is recruiting a Communicable Disease Epidemiologist for the Public Health Communicable Disease team. As an important part of the team, this position will conduct case investigation for diseases of public health importance. This includes providing information, guidance, and recommendations to individuals for decreasing the spread of diseases. Epidemiological investigations conducted will identify causative agents or conditions resulting in adverse health conditions. This role will participate in the Epidemiology data group and chose projects to work on that provide a variety of data to other programs in the division. This includes the compilation, maintenance, and analysis of health data and reports as well as provide public health information and consultative services to primary medical care providers, childcare providers, and the public. This is a stable and supportive team. This in office position will also be provided with great benefits as an employee of Marion County.
GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES
Under direction, incumbents will analyze, report and disseminate data to describe the health status of populations as well as other data sets; provide technical assistance to internal program evaluation processes; serve as a data analysis consultant to public health programs to ensure quality of data collection and analysis; and provide surge capacity, or be a member of the team responsible for communicable disease investigation and control. The Epidemiologist may represent divisions of the Health and Human Services Department at community meetings.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Works under the general supervision of a manager or supervisor, who assigns work, establishes goals, and reviews results obtained.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
Supervision of other employees is not a responsibility of positions in this classification. However, may act as lead over projects and or team. Typical Duties - Duties include, but are not limited to the following
Demonstrates flexibility in adapting as program and/or service needs change.
Works to prevent and control the spread of communicable disease through provision of services to individuals, families, groups, and communities including surveillance, investigation and control activities and provision of epidemiologist leadership to the Team. Related duties include but are not limited to:
Other job duties as assigned by your supervisor.
Response Level 1: In the event of an emergency, employee makes a reasonable effort to report to work. Employee may be required to perform duties outside of their regularly assigned duties. Employee may be requested to work an extended or flexible schedule. Due to regular assignment, employee may be assigned a leadership role in the provision of essential services or response functions. Staff at this response level must complete Incident Command System 100, 700, 200, and 800 on-line or in-person training. Requirements for the Position
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Thorough knowledge of the science of epidemiology including design of Epidemiological studies; design of data-collection tools; data management and analysis; program evaluation and evaluation of public health interventions; and computer skills including word processing; statistical analysis, graphics, presentation and other software. Experienced with use of statistical software such as SPSS or SASS.
Working knowledge: of the 10 Essential Services of Public Health as well as general knowledge of the local public health system and related services in Oregon; knowledge of federal, state and local communicable disease reporting requirements and epidemiology.
Skills to communicate effectively orally and in writing with personnel at all levels of the health department, as well as with community partners, medical providers and the general public; prepare clear and concise reports and other written materials, including tables and graphs; and to plan, initiate and complete work assignments in a timely manner with minimal supervision.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Operates a motor vehicle; sees using depth perception; stands; sits; moves about the work area; reaches overhead; lifts, pushes, pulls, moves carts and carries items up to 20 lbs.; speaks with a clear and audible voice; reads a 12-pt. font; distinguishes colors and shades; hears a normal level of speech; may work in uneven areas during field visits. Frequently carries lighter items of 1-2 pounds. Frequently reaches forward to get items from desk or worktop. Carries 20lb items from car and from field. Occasional exposure to bleach based disinfectant, e.g. when cleaning surface after preparing specimens for transport. Occasional driving to home visits or off-site clinics.
Marion County Health and Human Services is recruiting a Communicable Disease Epidemiologist for the Public Health Communicable Disease team. As an important part of the team, this position will conduct case investigation for diseases of public health importance. This includes providing information, guidance, and recommendations to individuals for decreasing the spread of diseases. Epidemiological investigations conducted will identify causative agents or conditions resulting in adverse health conditions. This role will participate in the Epidemiology data group and chose projects to work on that provide a variety of data to other programs in the division. This includes the compilation, maintenance, and analysis of health data and reports as well as provide public health information and consultative services to primary medical care providers, childcare providers, and the public. This is a stable and supportive team. This in office position will also be provided with great benefits as an employee of Marion County.
GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES
Under direction, incumbents will analyze, report and disseminate data to describe the health status of populations as well as other data sets; provide technical assistance to internal program evaluation processes; serve as a data analysis consultant to public health programs to ensure quality of data collection and analysis; and provide surge capacity, or be a member of the team responsible for communicable disease investigation and control. The Epidemiologist may represent divisions of the Health and Human Services Department at community meetings.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Works under the general supervision of a manager or supervisor, who assigns work, establishes goals, and reviews results obtained.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
Supervision of other employees is not a responsibility of positions in this classification. However, may act as lead over projects and or team. Typical Duties - Duties include, but are not limited to the following
The epidemiologist in this position is part of a multi-disciplinary team that conducts communicable disease surveillance and investigation and implements control measures to protect the public. This is a non-nurse position and does not provide nursing care, assessments, or medical advice.
Share in General Program Duties with Communicable Disease (CD) team Coordinator:
Participates and/or provides leadership to a variety of activities not limited to the following:
- Develop and/or contribute to Team meeting agenda, policies and procedures and other documents.
- Provide services to and communication with community partners, e.g., homeless shelters, school nurses and information and technical assistance to healthcare providers.
- Communicate client and program issues to the coordinator and/or Program Supervisor.
- Participate in planning, implementation, and evaluation of CD program activities.
- Participates in and may provide evaluation and monitoring of CD program services and activities including quality improvement initiatives and program performance management measurement and tracking.
- Take a leadership role in CD performance management and quality improvement.
- Takes a leadership role in Team emergency preparedness planning and exercises.
Demonstrates flexibility in adapting as program and/or service needs change.
Works to prevent and control the spread of communicable disease through provision of services to individuals, families, groups, and communities including surveillance, investigation and control activities and provision of epidemiologist leadership to the Team. Related duties include but are not limited to:
- Provides communicable disease surveillance, investigation, control, and outbreak services according to Oregon Communicable Disease Guidelines and reporting requirements.
- Encourages and provides means for reporting, monitoring, investigating, and controlling communicable diseases and other health hazards through coordinated population based environmental and individual medical interventions.
- Participates in weekly case/communicable disease activity review when needed.
- Provides sexually transmitted infection (STI) contact follow-up and investigation, and quality assurance.
- Drives to client home or other sites to provide services, attend off-site meetings, pick up specimens/x-rays or conduct field investigation of communicable disease.
- Maintains open communications with Teammates and co-workers on other teams.
- Utilizes computer and internet to access information and document activities.
- Performs accurate and timely documentation in Orpheus data base, and on paper if needed.
- Provides services to non-English speaking clients via telephonic or in-person interpreter.
- Uses statistical software.
- Provides information and referral services to clients, professional providers, and the public.
- Provides consultation to co-workers on control of reportable diseases.
- Seeks target audience input and updates educational materials and pamphlets.
- May provide consultation to health facilities via telephone or on site.
Other job duties as assigned by your supervisor.
Response Level 1: In the event of an emergency, employee makes a reasonable effort to report to work. Employee may be required to perform duties outside of their regularly assigned duties. Employee may be requested to work an extended or flexible schedule. Due to regular assignment, employee may be assigned a leadership role in the provision of essential services or response functions. Staff at this response level must complete Incident Command System 100, 700, 200, and 800 on-line or in-person training. Requirements for the Position
EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING
- Master’s degree in public health, biostatistics, or epidemiology; AND
- One year of experience with communicable disease investigation and control; OR
- Any satisfactory combination of work, education, training, or experience relevant to the position, as determined by Marion County.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
- The finalist for this position may be required to pass a criminal history background check; however, conviction of a crime may not necessarily disqualify an individual for this position.
Must possess a current driver's license in the applicant's state of residence and an acceptable driving history. Marion County will obtain a copy of the driving record for all qualified applicants from Driver and Motor Vehicle Services and review the driving record according to the Marion County policy and procedure for Driving on County Business. The policy can be found at: http://apps.co.marion.or.us/APAP/.
- This position may be subject to the following: Must not be excluded from participation in the federal health care programs (Medicaid, Medicare and other federally funded programs that provide health benefits); AND must not be excluded from participating in federal procurement (Federal Acquisition Regulation) and non-procurement activities (Executive Order No. 12549).
- This assignment is represented by a union.
- This is a full-time position, which is eligible for overtime.
- Typical work schedule: Thursday through Monday, 8:00 am-5:00 pm, with flexibility depending on the needs of the department or program.
Thorough knowledge of the science of epidemiology including design of Epidemiological studies; design of data-collection tools; data management and analysis; program evaluation and evaluation of public health interventions; and computer skills including word processing; statistical analysis, graphics, presentation and other software. Experienced with use of statistical software such as SPSS or SASS.
Working knowledge: of the 10 Essential Services of Public Health as well as general knowledge of the local public health system and related services in Oregon; knowledge of federal, state and local communicable disease reporting requirements and epidemiology.
Skills to communicate effectively orally and in writing with personnel at all levels of the health department, as well as with community partners, medical providers and the general public; prepare clear and concise reports and other written materials, including tables and graphs; and to plan, initiate and complete work assignments in a timely manner with minimal supervision.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Operates a motor vehicle; sees using depth perception; stands; sits; moves about the work area; reaches overhead; lifts, pushes, pulls, moves carts and carries items up to 20 lbs.; speaks with a clear and audible voice; reads a 12-pt. font; distinguishes colors and shades; hears a normal level of speech; may work in uneven areas during field visits. Frequently carries lighter items of 1-2 pounds. Frequently reaches forward to get items from desk or worktop. Carries 20lb items from car and from field. Occasional exposure to bleach based disinfectant, e.g. when cleaning surface after preparing specimens for transport. Occasional driving to home visits or off-site clinics.
PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS
Marion County is a qualifying public employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, full-time employees working at the County may qualify for forgiveness of the remaining balance on Direct Loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan. Questions about your loan eligibility should be directed to your loan servicer or the US Department of Education.
VETERANS’ PREFERENCE
Applicants are eligible to use Veterans’ Preference when applying with Marion County in accordance with ORS 408.225, 408.230, and 408.235 and OAR 105-040-0010 and 105-040-0015. Preference will be awarded only if the applicant meets the minimum requirements of the position and attaches the required documentation at the time of application.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR VETERANS’ PREFERENCE
- One of the following:
- MEMBER COPY 4 of the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214 or 215); OR
- Letter from the US Department of Veterans Affairs indicating receipt of a non-service connected pension; OR
- Certification that discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions will take place not later than 120 days after the submission of the certificate.
- In addition to one of the above documents, Disabled Veterans must also submit one of the following:
- A copy of their Veterans disability preference letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs; OR
- Certification that medical separation from active duty under honorable conditions will take place not later than 120 days after the submission of the certificate.
You can request copies of your military service record through the National Archives website at http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/
Marion County is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, Veteran and Disability employer committed to increasing the diversity of its workforce.
Location/Region: Salem, OR
