Public Health Outbreak Epidemiologist - Health Professional Iii

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The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment serves Coloradans by providing high-quality, cost-effective PUBLIC HEALTH and environmental protection services that promote healthy people in healthy places. Staff members focus on evidence-based best practices in the PUBLIC HEALTH and environmental fields and play a critical role in educating people in Colorado so they can make informed choices. In addition to maintaining and enhancing our core programs, the department continues to identify and respond to emerging issues affecting Colorado's public and environmental health.
The Division of Disease Control and Public Health Response (DCPHR) is the department's lead surveillance, planning and response arm for public events including communicable disease outbreaks and epidemics, pandemics, bioterrorism, and other PUBLIC HEALTH and mass casualty events and disasters. The division includes the Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response; State Public Health Laboratory; Health Equity Branch, Communicable Disease Branch; Immunization Branch; Public Health Informatics, Reporting, Technology Branch; Refugee Branch; and Operations Branch. The Division exists to ensure that the Department has the ability to effectively prepare for, monitor, detect, diagnose, investigate, and nimbly respond to all types of conditions, events and disasters that impact the public's health.
The Communicable Disease Branch (CDB) monitors, investigates, and controls epidemic and communicable diseases affecting the PUBLIC HEALTH in Colorado, required under Colorado statute, including enteric infections, invasive bacterial infections, respiratory infections, vaccine preventable diseases, zoonotic diseases, and healthcare- associated infections.
Within CDB, the Foodborne, Enteric, + Waterborne Diseases (FEWD) Program consists of two units: Foodborne + Enteric Diseases Unit and Waterborne Diseases Unit. The Foodborne + Enteric Diseases Unit is responsible for surveillance, disease control, and outbreak investigation of all foodborne and enteric pathogens (such as Salmonella, Shigella, Hepatitis A, etc.); it contains several CDC grant funded programs. The Waterborne Diseases Unit is responsible for surveillance, disease control, and outbreak investigation of all waterborne pathogens (such as Cyclospora, Cryptosporidiosis, Legionella, etc.); it contains CDC grant funded programs.
The Position:
This position exists to coordinate outbreak reporting, surveillance, and investigation/response in Colorado, especially enteric outbreaks.

• Monitors surveillance data to detect potential clusters and outbreaks.
• Tracks Whole Genome Sequence (WGS) cluster and outbreak investigations.
• Tabulates outbreak reporting metrics and reports on these as part of CDC grant renewal processes.
• Investigates cases of communicable diseases and medical conditions of PUBLIC HEALTH importance by obtaining laboratory results, medical record information, and illness details and exposure histories through case interview to attempt to confirm the infection and determine the source of infection.
• Investigates outbreaks as the lead outbreak investigator, or assists local PUBLIC HEALTH agency staff or regional epidemiologists (depending on type of outbreak, local availability of resources, and location of exposure(s) or affected persons).
• Analyzes data collected as part of an investigation
• Provides consultative services (typically via email and telephone) to local PUBLIC HEALTH agencies and other partners (such as long term care facilities) regarding appropriate outbreak and case investigation methods, and disease control measures.
• Serves as a resource for health care providers, patients, and the public on communicable diseases, including diagnosis, laboratory testing, treatment, prophylaxis, control measures, sources of infection, and prevention strategies.
• Participates in the section's daytime "epi-call" rotation, which involves answering incoming communicable disease-related calls to the department on a designated day.
• Analyzes and summarizes outbreak surveillance data, disease-specific surveillance data, and data from special studies using Microsoft Excel, R & R studio, SAS, EpiInfo, and/or other statistical programs, as appropriate.

To be considered for this position, your application must clearly demonstrate that you meet one of the following options outlining the requirements needed for consideration.

Option 1: Six years of professional experience in surveillance, epidemiology, investigating disease outbreaks, healthcare or an occupational field closely related to the work assigned to the position.

OR:

Option 2: Two years of professional experience in surveillance, epidemiology, investigating disease outbreaks, healthcare or an occupational field closely related to the work assigned to the position AND Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in PUBLIC HEALTH, epidemiology, biology, or field closely related to the work assigned to the position.

OR:

Option 3: Master's degree from an accredited institution in PUBLIC HEALTH, epidemiology, biology, or field closely related to the work assigned to the position will substitute for the required bachelor's degree and work experience.

*** YOU MUST ATTACH A COPY OF TRANSCRIPTS TO YOUR APPLICATION***

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Must be willing to:

• A pre-employment background check
• Travel 3-5 times a year for outbreaks, conferences or presentations may require some overnight stays
• Be available in the event of an emergency, (e.g., bio-terrorist attack, chemical attack, disease outbreak or all hazards) and be required to report to work immediately at the regular or alternate location. During this time, travel restrictions may be in place.
• Be available in the event of the activation of the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) and be required to report to work immediately at the regular or alternate location. During this time, travel restrictions may be in place

PREFERRED QUALIFACATIONS:

• Relevant State of Colorado Service
• Experience with the National Outbreak Reporting System (NORS)
• Experience tracking Whole Genome Sequence (WGS) cluster and outbreak investigations
• Experience investigating cases of communicable diseases and medical conditions of public
  health importance, especially foodborne, enteric, and waterborne diseases
• Experience investigating foodborne, enteric, and waterborne disease outbreaks
• Strong attention to detail
• Masters degree in Public Health or Epidemiology

APPEAL RIGHTS:
If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.
An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email (dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us), postmarked in US Mail or hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department's action.
For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board; go to spb.colorado.gov; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at (303) 866-3300; or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.

Application packet must include:

1. Complete application we do not accept a resume in lieu of application.
2. A cover letter that describes how your experience aligns with the minimum and preferred qualifications of this position
3. A copy of your transcripts (unofficial acceptable).
4. If you are a veteran, attach a copy of your DD214 to your application.

The Selection Process:

1. Part of, or all of, the comparative analysis for this position may be a structured application review, which involves a review of preferred qualifications and the information you submit in your application materials by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs).
2. A top group, up to six candidates, will be invited to schedule an interview with the hiring manager.

E-Verify: CDPHE uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.
The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, Daniel Mckenna at daniel.mckenna@state.co.us or call 303-692-6319.
Toll Free Applicant Technical Support: If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g. uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV technical support at 855-524-5627 Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time). Helpful hints: if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application first- ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files, and second, close the document before you attempt to upload (attach) it.
Employment Type: Full Time