Epidemiologist III, Texas HHS

Description 

Epidemiologist III performs highly advanced (senior-level) research and epidemiological work in the area of maternal and child health within the Division for Community Health Improvement (CHI). Position reports to Manager of the Surveillance and Data Analytics Group within the Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology (MCH Epi) Unit. Work includes coordinating team projects and work. May supervise the work of others. Serves as a lead investigator for maternal and infant projects. Collaborates with CHI program areas to identify public health issues for internal quality monitoring and report writing, and ensure available data can track progress in resolving these issues. Functions as Epidemiologist Team Lead assigned to the Healthy Texas Mothers and Babies Branch (HTMB) program analyses and evaluations. Determines and reviews the scope and methodologies of research projects and areas to be evaluated in maternal and infant areas. Develops and directs grant-funded projects, generates scientific publications, public health reports and presentation of completed work to agency/program management, and presents at scientific conferences. Reviews policies and procedures used in conducting and administering the team’s research activities and makes sure that the team follows appropriate policies and procedures for the conduct of research. Develops quality assurance procedures and conducts quality assurance reviews on the team’s research projects. Formulates and monitors the long-range research objectives, programs, and priorities of the Healthy Texas Mothers and Babies Epidemiology Team. Work is performed under minimal supervision with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement. Other duties as assigned.  

Essential Job Functions 

• Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.
• Develop, plan, design, and implement research investigation, surveillance, evaluation, and assessment studies following emerging or standardized scientific protocols and policies; coordinate studies; collect, analyze, and evaluate data; and communicate results. 
• Acts as the team lead for the Healthy Texas Mothers and Babies (HTMB) Epidemiology Team in the Surveillance and Data Analytics Group. Coordinates team projects and work. May supervise the work of others. Reviews policies and procedures used in conducting and administering the team’s research activities and makes sure that the team follows appropriate policies and procedures for the conduct of research. Develops quality assurance procedures and conducts quality assurance reviews on the team’s research projects. Formulates and monitors the long-range research objectives, programs, and priorities of the Maternal and Infant research team.
• Provides research consultation and technical assistance to MCH program areas on epidemiological methods, research/surveillance design, and program evaluation and assessment of public health practices. Acts as epidemiological expert on HTMB programs and is available for research, surveillance, needs assessment, and evaluation consultation to program staff in these areas.
• Performs scientific literature searches (traditional, internet, database) and reviews various types of materials including legislation, regulations, and scientific protocol and policies to help develop research proposals and to support on-going investigations/projects. Consults with research professionals, researchers/epidemiologists, administrators, and statistical staff to define and solve specific problems related to maternal and infant health, and to assure quality control across advanced statistical methods and analysis and research design and quantitative methodology.
• Prepares articles, papers, and reports for publication, in-house distribution, and to support program management and other DSHS activities. This includes the use of standard graphic applications and some GIS mapping and use of quantitative data collection and analysis techniques.
• Participates in cross-functional training within MCH Epi. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Knowledge of the principles and functions of public health.
• Knowledge of research planning and evaluation methods in epidemiology
• Knowledge of laws and rules applicable to confidentiality and the management of protected health information.
• Knowledge and experience with maternal and child health epidemiology.
• Knowledge of advanced statistical techniques and methods.
• Knowledge of statistical software, especially SAS, SPSS, and/or Stata, and Microsoft Office products, especially Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Skill in effective verbal communication, including preparation and presentation of complex data analysis.
• Skill in project management with complex projects that cross divisions, agencies, and several lines of business.
• Skill in identifying problems, evaluating alternatives, and negotiating and implementing solutions to data and research problems.
• Skill in project management to organize major project activities into a logical sequence with a reasonable and achievable schedule of deadlines.
• Skill in advanced technical writing, reporting, and interpretation of complex data to clearly and succinctly communicate project/research information for correspondence with state and federal agencies, grant applications and plans, state rules, and planning procedures.
• Ability to organize and present information effectively, both orally and in writing, to a variety of audiences, including state and federal agency staff, legislators, and other stakeholders, which may require synthesis and translation of complex information into simpler terms.
• Ability to develop and effectively deliver training and technical assistance about research/data methods and procedures.
• Ability to survey relevant professional literature and other publications and stay current on existing research methodologies and research findings in area of expertise.
• Ability to evaluate policies and procedures.
• Ability to work in collaboration with others as part of a team and to manage multiple deadlines.  

How to Apply 

Click here to read more about this position and apply online!