Investigations Team Epidemiologist (Grant Funded)

Salary : $52,732.94 - $79,099.54 Annually
Location : 78205, TX
Job Type: 4A Full-Time
Job Number: 2024-00378
Department: SA Metro Health District
Opening Date: 11/21/2023
Closing Date: 12/20/2023 11:59 PM Central
Grant Funded: Yes
FLSA Status: Exempt
Job Summary
Under general direction, investigates, controls, and reports outbreaks of communicable diseases. Working conditions are primarily in an office environment with occasional exposure to hazardous materials, bodily fluids and infectious diseases. May exercise direct supervision over assigned staff.
This position is part of the Epidemiology Investigations Team and covers waterborne, foodborne, zoonotic, respiratory, and vaccine preventable diseases.
This position is a "Grant Funded" position, therefore unclassified and has no disciplinary appeal rights to the Municipal Civil Service Commission. This position is likewise subject to at-will employment status and can be terminated at any time for any reason.
The San Antonio Metro Health District (SAMHD) provides public health services to clients, which may include risk for exposure to and possible transmission of vaccine-preventable diseases. Employees in high-risk positions will be required to obtain relevant immunizations, per Review and consideration will be given to requests for exemption from this policy.
The San Antonio Metro Health District (SAMHD) is committed to advancing health equity throughout the community and to creating a work environment in which all staff feel valued, respected, and accepted. Per SAMHD Policy DM15.1, all employees are expected to apply a health equity lens to programs, services, and decision making that directly impact the communities we serve.
Work Location
City Tower, 100 W. Houston Street (78205)
Work Hours
7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday; after hours and/or weekends may be needed at times for public health emergencies
Essential Job Functions
Essential functions vary according to division assignment within the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District
Epidemiology Investigation Team

• Assist in data collection, assessment and conducts evaluations of surveillance processes.
• Assist with planning, developing, and coordinating investigations of acute conditions.
• Conducts investigations of waterborne, foodborne, zoonotic, respiratory and vaccine preventable diseases.
• Analyze and interpret epidemiologic data.
• Assess the potential health effects from exposure to communicable diseases.
• Report data and findings in compliance with local, state, and federal agency guidelines and regulations.
• Reports the results of epidemiological investigations to various professional, state, and local partners.
• Serve as a consultant to physicians, nurses and infection control staff in the control of public health problems, and recommends interventions and control measures in response to epidemiologic findings.
• Initiates, reviews, and provides consultation on epidemiological investigations.
• Works with public relations to maintain website content and release information to media about current communicable disease investigation.
• Represents San Antonio Metropolitan Health District and conducts presentations at conferences and meetings.
  Epidemiology Analysis Team
• Assist in data collection, assessment and evaluation process in community health planning for the department.
• Assist with planning, developing, and coordinating investigations of acute and chronic conditions.
• Participate in the community health assessment process to identify key health indicators and develop on-going assessment activities.
  HIV Incidence Surveillance Program
• Recruits laboratories in the region to participate in HIV Incidence Surveillance (HIS).
• Picks up, processes and prepares specimens for HIS per established policies; ships and tracks laboratory specimens.
• Monitors quality control procedures outlined for preparing specimens for HIS.
• Collects incident data on newly reported cases; conducts incident data quality assessments.
• Manages HIS data and participates in data reports calls and meetings as appropriate.
• Assists and works collaboratively with staff on related environmental or other communicable disease or food borne outbreaks.
• Evaluates and investigates cases of communicable diseases.
• Meets with laboratory and medical professionals at their work sites.
  All Divisions
• Investigates cases by records review and interview of medical personnel, patients, and family members.
• Maintains statistical information on reportable diseases within our jurisdiction.
• Develops disease control and prevention programs.
• Participates in field Epidemiological research, which includes sitting, standing, reaching, walking, and occasionally lifting equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Produces epidemiologic reports as necessary.
• Assists with quality assurance and quality improvements process.
• Confers with outside organizations and agencies to maintain and establish partnerships, collaborations and provide guidance and technical assistance.
• Prepares reports on data collected; oversees correct and timely disease reporting.
• Participates in communicable disease surveillance calls and meetings.
• Maintains security and confidentiality of sensitive data.
• May supervise assigned staff.
• Performs related duties and fulfills responsibilities as required.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with preferable coursework in Public Health, Epidemiology, or a related field with two (2) years of experience in disease control, infection control, or epidemiology.
• OR
• Master's degree in Public Health, Science of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, or related field is required.
• This position requires a valid Class "C" Texas Driver's License OR valid driver's license from another state with the ability to obtain a valid Class "C" Texas Driver's License within 30 days of becoming a Texas resident. Use of your own personal vehicle may at time be required and proof of Liability Insurance will be required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Excellent computer skills
• Data analysis experience
• Disease investigations experience
• Bilingual in English/Spanish

Applicant Information

• If selected for this position, official transcripts, diplomas, certifications and licenses must be submitted at the time of processing. Unofficial transcripts and copies of other relevant documents may be attached to the application for consideration in advance.
• Please be advised that if selected for this position, information regarding employment history as it relates to the qualifications of the position will be needed for employment verification. Applicants claiming military service to meet the experience requirement for this position may attach a DD214 to the application.
• Unless otherwise stated, applicants are permitted to substitute two years of related full-time experience for one year of higher education or one year of related higher education for two years of experience in order to meet the minimum requirements of the job. One year of full-time experience is defined as 30 or more hours worked per week for 12 months. One year of higher education is defined as 30 credit hours completed at an accredited college or university.
• Applicants selected for employment with the City of San Antonio in this position must receive satisfactory results from pre-employment drug testing and background checks. If required for the position, a physical, motor vehicle record evaluation, and additional background checks may be conducted.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of principles and practices of supervision, training, and personnel management.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of budget preparation and administration.
• Knowledge of the principles and methods of epidemiology and related biostatistics.
• Knowledge of infectious disease symptoms, microbiology, laboratory procedures, medications, and other epidemiologic procedures.
• Knowledge of computer systems and computer language.
• Knowledge of local communicable diseases.
• Knowledge of medical equipment care and needs.
• Knowledge of the laws and organization of record keeping.
• Knowledge of social service agencies.
• Skill in utilizing a personal computer and associated software programs.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining good working relationships.
• Skill in utilizing a computer and other basic office equipment.
• Ability to plan, conduct, and report on epidemiological investigations.
• Ability to interpret laboratory data and ascertain its validity.
• Ability to communicate effectively and concisely to other physicians, medical personnel, patients, and media.
• Ability to make presentations in an innovative and informative manner.
• Ability to research and evaluate planning data for the distributing of clinics.
• Ability to organize and network using community resources.
• Ability to communicate in Spanish in order to make presentations to lay and medical persons.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City staff and the general public.
• Ability to perform all the physical requirements for the position, with or without accommodations.

Benefits Information
The City of San Antonio (CoSA) strives to provide a competitive compensation and benefit package to attract and retain a highly skilled workforce. To accomplish this, CoSA offers subsidized health care benefits for active and retired employees, paid disability benefits, paid life insurance, as well as automatic participation in a pension program which is currently matched two to one.
For more detailed information, please click on the following link to view Benefits offered by the City of San Antonio:
Note:

• Part-Time, Temporary, and non-City positions are not eligible for CoSA Benefits.
• Holiday and Leave benefits for Pre-K 4 SA positions may be different than what is listed at the above link.

Additional Information
The City Of San Antonio is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. This means that the City does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex (gender), age, disability, national origin, genetic information, or sexual orientation. All individuals are encouraged to apply and compete for jobs with the City of San Antonio.
If you require assistance at any stage of the application process due to a disability, please contact the so that accommodations may be made to meet your needs. Our telephone number is 210-207-8705 and our fax number is 210-207-2285.
01
Are you a current regular full time or part time CoSA employee?

• Yes - I am a Full Time City Employee.
• Yes - I am a Part Time City Employee.
• No - I am not a Full Time or Part Time City Employee.

02
Are you a veteran or active member of the armed forces?

• Yes
• No

03
Are you a San Antonio Ready to Work Program (SAR2W) or Train for Jobs San Antonio Program (TfJSA) participant?

• Yes - SA Ready to Work Program
• Yes - Train for Jobs SA Program
• Yes - Both Programs
• No

04
What best describes your highest level of education at the end of the current semester?

• Some High School
• High School Diploma or GED recognized by the Texas Education Agency or a regional accrediting agency
• 30+ completed semester hours (credits) from an accredited college or university
• 60+ completed semester hours (credits) from an accredited college or university
• Associate's Degree from an accredited college or university
• 90+ completed semester hours (credits) from an accredited college or university
• 120+ completed semester hours (credits) from an accredited college or university
• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university
• Master's Degree from an accredited college or university
• PhD, JD, or other Post Graduate Degree from an accredited college or university
• None of the above

05
Do you have a Master's Degree from an accredited college or university in Public Health, Science of Epidemiology, Biostatistics or related field?

• Yes
• No

06
How many years of experience do you have in disease control, infection control or epidemiology?

• None
• Less than one year
• 1 year
• 2 years
• 3 years
• 4 years
• 5 years
• 6 years
• 7 years
• 8 years
• 9 years
• 10 years
• 11 years
• 12 years
• 13 years
• 14 years
• 15 years +

07
Do you have a valid Driver's License?

• Yes
• No

08
How would you rate your ability to speak Spanish?

• Beginner
• Intermediate
• Advanced
• Fluent
• None of the above

09
Are you a current or former Metro Health intern/practicum student?

• Yes, I am a current intern/practicum student
• Yes, i am a former intern/practicum student
• No, I have not been an intern/practicum student at Metro Health

10
If you are a former intern/practicum student, please select the timeframe in which you completed your internship/practicum at Metro Health:

• Within the last 6 months
• Within the last 7-12 months
• Within the last 13-24 months
• More than 24 months
• None of the above

11
Select any of the Microsoft Office applications you have at least three (3) years of experience with:

• Word
• Excel
• Access
• Power Point
• Publisher
• Outlook
• None of the above

12
What best describes your ability leve...