Epidemiologist (Public Service Administrator, Opt.6F)

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Public Health is seeking a highly motivated individual to develop, design, implement and independently conduct statewide analytical studies and surveillance of relevant population health outcomes and scientific research projects. Applies epidemiologic principles to the design, implementation and evaluation of outbreak investigations. Initiates and performs literature reviews for the design, implementation and interpretation of research studies and program evaluations. Develops and manages certain grant applications and projects. Provides epidemiological support regarding infectious disease control to local health departments, physicians, and other public agencies in the Central region of Illinois. Travels in performance of duties.

Job Responsibilities

1.  Performs highly complex data management functions and assignments pertaining to surveillance, needs assessment, quality improvement and planning activities related to public health.

• Uses expertise in survey design database management, and statistical methods to coordinate data collection, integration, analysis and use for local and state health needs assessments, program evaluations, and routine surveillance activities.
• Ensures that analyses are designed to include and address health disparities, health equity and other health issues among potentially underrepresented population groups.
• Synthesizes principles of sound ethical and legal practices for application to study design, data collection and data analyses.

2.  Responsible for assisting in Outbreak Control.

• Tracks outbreak investigations for completeness and assures that documentation is submitted by local investigation agencies that will allow for final determination as to source and etiologic agent.
• Reviews information on new outbreaks, assures that information is given to local health departments to appropriately guide their investigations, provides technical assistance to local health department personnel on infectious disease surveillance and investigation of outbreaks.
• Applies epidemiologic principles to the design, implementation and evaluation of outbreak investigations.
• Provides epidemiological support regarding infectious disease control to local health departments, physicians, and other public agencies in the assigned region of Illinois.

3.  Initiates and performs literature reviews for the design, implementation and interpretation of research studies and program evaluations.

• Reviews and synthesizes reports from analysis of epidemiologic or biostatistics surveillance data and other information.
• Adds to and expands current scientific knowledge of the issues of public health importance.
• Provides data and defines programmatic corrective actions to alleviate adverse health effects.
• Disseminate surveillance and research findings to various stakeholders and audiences including submitting peer-reviewed articles to scientific journals.
• Evaluates program performance and outcomes to make sure proposed policies and practices will promote and protect public health based on sound epidemiologic principles.

4.  Develops and manages certain grant applications and projects.

• Writes grant applications for funds to carry out communicable disease projects and submits to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, other governmental agencies and private foundations.  
• Manages activities for existing grants including establishing a multi-state communicable disease collaborative, overseeing the development of archived trainings, and establishment of performance metrics and standards for evaluating communicable disease control programs.

5.  Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Requires possession of a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, registered nursing, microbiology, sociology, anthropology, veterinary medicine, biology, psychology, chemistry, epidemiology or a related field.
2. Requires four years of professional experience in communicable disease or infectious disease surveillance and/or control programs as the local, State or federal level.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Three years experience investigating cases of communicable disease and outbreaks.
2. Three years experience performing complex data management functions and assignments pertaining to surveillance, needs assessment, quality improvement and planning activities related to public health.
3. Two years experience conducting studies or surveillance activities using epidemiologic principles.
4. Two years experience providing medical consultation and epidemiological support regarding infectious disease control.
5. One year experience in writing grant applications.

Conditions of Employment

1. Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties.
2. Requires appropriate, valid drivers license.

*The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.