Highly Impacted Settings Epidemiologist Intermediate

Working Title: Highly Impacted Settings Epidemiologist Intermediate
Job Class: Epidemiologist Intermediate
Agency: Health Department

• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 04/04/2024
• Closing Date: 04/10/2024
• Hiring Agency: Health Department
• Division/Unit: Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention & Control (IDEPC) / IDEPC Emerging Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Response (EIDER) Highly Impacted Settings
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift / 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: Yes - Up to 25% of the time
• Salary Range: $28.50 - $41.93 / hourly; $59,508 - $87,549 / annually
• Classified Status: Unclassified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE
• End Date: 07/28/2026
• FLSA Status: Exempt - Professional
• Telework Eligible: Yes
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: No

Make a difference in the lives of Minnesotans.

The work you’ll do is more than just a job. Join the talented, engaged and inclusive workforce dedicated to creating a better Minnesota.

The Minnesota Department of Health’s (MDH) Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention & Control Division (IDEPC) is hiring to fill a Temporary, Epidemiologist Intermediate position within the Emerging Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Response Section (EIDER). This position will work in the Highly Impacted Settings Unit conducting surveillance and response activities for COVID-19, RSV or other emerging infections for long-term care facilities, schools, childcare settings, homeless shelters, correctional facilities, and other congregate living environments. Ongoing activities will include developing recommendations and materials for COVID-19 and RSV prevention and control of any future case outbreaks and clusters.

Job responsibilities:

• Conduct COVID-19 and RSV surveillance and maintain surveillance systems per MDH and CDC guidelines.
• Conduct epidemiologic case investigations, special research, and evaluation studies.
• Develop and provide technical assistance on COVID-19 or RSV prevention and control.
• Advise health care providers, infection preventionists and other organizational partners on illnesses due to COVID-19 or RSV.
• Manage data in local databases systems such as MEDSS and REDCap.
• Lead complex investigations of COVID-19 or RSV outbreaks in variety of settings.

This position is eligible for telework to applicants who reside in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota or South Dakota. Position locations will be determined by the top candidate and will be based out one of the following MDH district office locations: St. Paul, St. Cloud, Duluth, Rochester, Marshall, Bemidji, Fergus Falls. Occasional travel to the St. Paul office may be required. Reimbursement for authorized business travel expenses is provided according to bargaining unit guidelines.

This position is temporary and may be extended or ended at any time, based on business needs. The anticipated end date is July 28, 2026.

Minimum Qualifications

The following minimum qualifications must be clearly demonstrated on the applicant’s resume/application to be considered for this position.

Three (3) years of experience designing and conducting epidemiologic investigations and/or surveillance of acute or chronic diseases.

AND

Successful completion of four graduate quarter credits or three graduate semester credits in each of the following two areas:

• Epidemiology
• Statistics

Candidates will be required to provide proof of successful course completion prior to consideration for employment.

Degree Equivalencies:

Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health, Microbiology, Epidemiology, or closely related public health field may substitute for one (1) year of experience.

Master’s Degree in Public Health, Microbiology, Epidemiology, or closely related public health field may substitute for eighteen (18) months of experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• An understanding of the clinical and epidemiological aspects of infectious disease including modes of transmission, factors, affecting diseases, occurrence, and strategies for intervention, prevention, and treatment.
• Experience conducting investigations of epidemic and endemic infectious diseases.
• Experience in conducting epidemiological studies and maintaining disease surveillance systems.
• Knowledge of biostatistics and ability to maintain surveillance systems, database development, data analysis and interpretations.
• Experience in communicating effectively, orally and in writing.
• Ability to create a database and conduct analysis using programs such as Microsoft Access and Excel, MEDSS, and SAS.

Additional Requirements

The selected candidate will be required to successfully pass a background check and employment reference check.

This position does not require a valid driver's license, but it does demand some travel, which the candidate will be responsible for meeting.

How to Apply

Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

If you have questions about the position, contact Katelyn Rigdon at katelyn.rigdon@state.mn.us or 651-539-3036.

About Health Department

Come work for one of the best public health systems in the nation and you will contribute to our mission to protect, maintain and improve the health of all Minnesotans. We are working hard to achieve our vision for health equity in Minnesota, where all communities are thriving and all people have what they need to be healthy.

Why Work for Us

Diverse Workforce

We are committed to continually developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our state and the populations we serve. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve the people of Minnesota.

A recent engagement survey of State of Minnesota employees found:

• 95% of employees understand how their work helps achieve their agency’s mission
• 91% of employees feel trusted to do their jobs
• 88% of employees feel equipped to look at situations from other cultural perspectives when doing their job
• 87% of employees report flexibility in their work schedule

Comprehensive Benefits

Our benefits aim to balance four key elements that make life and work meaningful: health and wellness, financial well-being, professional development, and work/life harmony. As an employee, your benefits may include:

• Public pension plan
• Training and professional development
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 12 paid holidays each year
• Paid parental leave
• Low-cost medical and dental coverage
• Prescription drug coverage
• Vision coverage
• Wellness programs and resources
• Employer paid life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Health care spending and savings accounts
• Dependent care spending account
• Tax-deferred compensation
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Federal Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. The State of Minnesota recognizes that a diverse workforce is essential and strongly encourages qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.

We will make reasonable accommodations to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us and indicate what assistance is needed.