Plans, develops, and conducts epidemiologic investigations, surveillance, and interventions to determine the causes of diseases and implement methods of disease control.
This class represents the journey level for the epidemiologist series. Under general supervision, independently, or as a project leader, incumbents conduct scientific research in communicable diseases, environmental epidemiology, toxicology, chronic diseases, and perinatal epidemiology. This position is responsible for professional, scientific, and epidemiological assessments of considerable difficulty.
Designs, implements, and evaluates demographic, environmental, and epidemiologic studies relating to public health problems in order to research and possibly prevent recurrence of health problems. Advises agency personnel in bio-statistical epidemiological methods and techniques utilized in evaluating, analyzing, and interpreting agency data. Gathers and analyzes statistical data, known disease properties, medical assessments, laboratory findings, other information to identify trends, and methods of epidemic prevention or containment, and writes technical reports of study findings. Monitors epidemic outbreaks and proposes methods of epidemic containment. Assists with monitoring and evaluating disease control programs in public health care facilities, day care institutions, nursing homes, other public facilities, and recommends solutions for disease control problems. Responds to inquiries from health care professionals and members of the public regarding environmental or communicable disease hazards. Assists with preparation of press releases, responds to media inquiries, and makes public presentations on communicable or environmental disease hazards, epidemic outbreaks, and control programs. Studies and investigates chemical compounds exposed to the environment to determine their impact on human health, conducts health surveys, and issues health education advisories which limit the consumption of food and restrict other types of activities.
Knowledge of methods of epidemiological design, data collection, data analysis, and presentation of information. Knowledge of advanced descriptive statistical methods. Ability to present information in written and oral form. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
Master's degree in Public Health, epidemiology, biostatistics, or a closely related field and relevant working experience. A Doctoral degree in epidemiology, or advanced training in applied epidemiology, such as the Public Health Prevention Specialist Program at the CDC may substitute for experience.