Wastewater Surveillance Epidemiologist - Health Professional III - Communicable Disease Branch

Salary : $61,608.00 - $77,016.00 Annually
Location : Denver, CO
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: FAA01370-02/05/24
Department: Department of Public Health & Environment
Division: Division of Disease Control and Public Health Response
Opening Date: 02/05/2024
Closing Date: 2/19/2024 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA: Determined by Position
Primary Physical Work Address: 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South
FLSA Status: Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.
Department Information
Office of Division of Disease Control and Public Health Response - Health Equity Branch, Data & Surveillance Unit
You must be a resident of the State of Colorado to be eligible to apply
We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.
Be BOLD....Make a REAL difference . . . and join us in serving our communities in advancing Colorado's health and protecting the places we live, work, learn, and play, to create a healthy and sustainable Colorado where current and future generations thrive.
In addition to free parking, access to RTD bus lines, Cherry Creek bike path and flexible working arrangements, click the link below to review additional benefits and perks!!!!
https://cdphe.colorado.gov/careers
Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to:
Description of Job
The Work Unit
The Communicable Disease Branch monitors, investigates, and controls epidemic and Communicable Diseases affecting the public health in Colorado, required under Colorado statute, including enteric diseases, invasive bacterial diseases, respiratory diseases, vaccine preventable diseases, zoonotic diseases, healthcare associated infections, foodborne and waterborne diseases.
About the Position
This position exists to play an active role in analysis of Wastewater Surveillance data for pathogens of public health significance, with a particular focus on new targets as they are added; to design and implement testing of sampling plans for different scales of Wastewater Surveillance; to analyze and summarize surveillance data; to write reports; to provide information to health care providers and the public on Communicable Diseases; and to conduct special studies
What you will be doing:

• Create analysis plans and conduct analysis of wastewater data trends using a combination of R, Tableau, and ArcGIS.
• Prepare written reports that summarize trends in wastewater data, case data, outbreak data, hospitalization data, and positivity data to understand when trends are increasing and formulate a possible explanation or plan of action.
• Analyze and summarize other wastewater or clinical disease data characteristics of cases including exposure histories, complications, and strain types of causative organisms.
• Stay up-to-date on current research and create data analysis guidelines for wastewater disease surveillance in accordance with the latest understanding of wastewater-based epidemiology.
• Communicate epidemiologic information by presenting data to public health partners and developing and maintaining written data interpretation guidelines for use by local public health agencies, wastewater utility partners, and the general public.
• Attends and presents Wastewater Surveillance data analytic trainings.
• Participates in CDC wastewater data analytic work group calls and webinars.
• Create tables and data visualizations to summarize Wastewater Surveillance data for internal and external partners.
• Contribute epidemiological skills to the CDPHE Wastewater Surveillance Team in data review to interpret trends in Wastewater Surveillance data and relay information to Local Public Health Agency (LPHA) partners and other entities to support an appropriate public health response.
• Participate in responding to questions from the public and colleagues about wastewater data analysis and interpretation.
• Works collaboratively with staff at the local public health agencies, CDC and other states.
• Attends and presents Wastewater Surveillance data analytic trainings.
• Promote ethical conduct and cultural sensitivity in epidemiological practice.
• Analyze results from sampling plans and provide written and verbal reports to the Communicable Disease Branch and partners.
• Coordinate with other state and federal partners working on Wastewater Surveillance efforts for pathogens of public health significance.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
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: Your resume will not be accepted to qualify for the minimum qualifications. Part time work will be pro-rated.
Option 1
Six (6) years of experience in Communicable Disease surveillance and epidemiology, community health education, or community outreach communicating public health and experience using R for data manipulation and analysis.
Option 2
Two (2) years of experience in Communicable Disease surveillance and epidemiology, community health education, or community outreach communicating public health and experience using R for data manipulation and analysis AND bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in epidemiology, biology, chemistry, nursing, public health, environmental health or other closely related field.
Option 3 Advanced EducationAn advanced degree (Master's or Doctorate) from an accredited college or university in epidemiology, biology, chemistry, nursing, public health, environmental health or other closely related field.
NOTE: Click on the link here to submit a complete application that documents your work history giving details of your qualifications, including how your experience aligns with the minimum and preferred qualifications for this position when listing your work history.
****A COPY OF YOUR TRANSCRIPT MUST BE ATTACH AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION****
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Must be willing to:

• A pre-employment background check.
• 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.
• Travel for conferences, on site trainings, outbreak investigations and may require some overnight stays.

Preferred Qualifications and Essential Competencies

• Relevant years of state of Colorado service.
• Experience in waterborne disease surveillance, case investigation, and outbreak response.
• Knowledge of data systems, sources, transfer methods, and data management practices.
• Experience with data analysis and presentation of findings in a written and oral format to a variety of audiences.
• Experience in developing programmatic and process-oriented protocols or documentation.
• Experience coordinating a response with partner agencies outside of public health.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience gathering relevant information; identifying and analyzing problems; and using critical thinking and problem solving skills to arrive at conclusions.

APPEAL RIGHTSIf 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 (), 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 ; 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 under Rules
Supplemental Information
Application packet must include:

1. A complete application that documents your work history giving details of your qualifications, including how your experience aligns with the minimum and preferred qualifications when listing your work history.
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 the information you submit in your application materials and preferred qualifications 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 , 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.
CDPHE IS A TOBACCO FREE CAMPUS
The State of Colorado offers permanent employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, as well as a comprehensive leave program. Please click the following link for detailed information:
Please note that each agency's contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.
01
If you are a previous or current state of Colorado employee and know your Employee Identification Number (EID) please provide that below.
02
Did you attach a copy of your transcripts? (an unofficial copy accepted)

• Yes
• No

03
Did you attach a cover letter?

• Yes
• No

04
If you are a veteran, did you attach a copy of your DD214?

• Yes
• No

05
Do you have prior experience analyzing and summarizing public health data? If yes, please describe the type of analysis and/or data summary created.
06
Describe your level of experience with the following software products: SAS, R, Tableau, and ArcGIS. Include an example of the type of project you conducted using each software product.
07
Describe a time you worked with data that was incomplete, inaccurate, or contradictory? Please include the steps you took to improve and analyze the data to answer key questions.
08
Describe a time when you worked with diverse stakeholders to accomplish a goal related to data analysis or merging complex datasets for analysis.
09
Describe a time when you used data analytics to support public health decision-making; please provide details about the analysis, results, and how the implications informed public health planning or actions.
Required Question