Epidemiologist

Kings County is seeking to fill one current vacancy for Epidemiologist in the Public Health Department.
Future vacancies for this position may be filled from the eligible list to be established.
The typical life of the eligible list is six months.
For additional information regarding the benefits of working in Kings County, please click here.
DEFINITION Under general direction, coordinates, oversees, leads, and participates in the work of staff performing public health data extraction, analysis, and data software oversight; plans, coordinates, and performs analysis and reporting of public health data including communicable diseases, chronic diseases, injuries, and exposure to hazardous materials; conducts epidemiological investigations to determine the probable cause of disease outbreaks and administers the County’s epidemiological program; prepares comprehensive surveillance programs and studies to determine patterns of disease and the health condition of County residents and/or targeted populations; provides complex staff assistance to management staff in areas of expertise; and performs related duties as assigned.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED Receives general direction from assigned management personnel.
Exercises technical and functional direction over and provides training to lower-level staff.
Exercises no direct supervision over staff.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS This classification exercises independent judgment on diverse and specialized disease investigation and education functions with significant accountability and ongoing decision-making responsibilities associated with the work.
Incumbents are responsible for coordinating, overseeing, leading, and participating in the work of assigned staff and providing support to management staff in a variety of areas.
This class is distinguished from program manager classifications in that the latter have full management authority in planning, organizing, and directing the full scope of services within an assigned program.
DUTY SAMPLE Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
Plans, conducts, and evaluates epidemiologic studies to determine patterns of disease in the community; conducts and coordinates field investigations of outbreaks of disease and/or environmental hazards; conducts surveillance activities to identify and monitor disease trends within assigned geographical areas and/or targeted populations.
Provides lead direction, training, counsel, and work review to assigned staff; organizes and assigns work, sets priorities, and evaluates performance; serves as a resource to staff.
Monitors activities of the work unit; identifies opportunities for improving service delivery and procedures; provides recommendations concerning process changes; reviews with appropriate management staff; implements improvements.
Coordinates assigned services and operations with those of other divisions and outside agencies.
Participates in the development of goals, objectives, policies, and procedures for assigned services and programs; recommends and implements policies and procedures including standard operating procedures for assigned operations.
Participates in annual budget preparation; identifies resource needs; prepares detailed cost estimates with appropriate justifications; monitors expenditures.
Provides staff assistance to management; prepares and presents staff reports and other written materials; directs the establishment and maintenance of reports, records, databases, and files; ensures the proper documentation of operations and activities.
Answers questions and provides information to the public; investigates and responds to complaints and inquiries from citizens, other departments, and agencies; recommends corrective actions to resolve issues.
Develops procedures, protocols, data collection instruments, and data management tools to conduct epidemiological or chronic disease research and surveillance activities.
Assesses risks of communicable disease outbreaks and/or environmental hazards.
Serves as a subject matter and technical expert on epidemiology; provides complex staff support to management staff on epidemiological studies, trends, and patterns; makes recommendations for disease controls procedures and prevention strategies.
Prepares and maintains reports and statistical information to present to the state department of public health and other outside local, state, and federal agencies; serves as the departmental and County liaison with outside public health agencies on disease prevention, detection, and control.
Oversees and directs the development of educational material for community outreach and education related to communicable diseases and environmental health risks.
Represents the County in meetings with members of other public and private organizations, community groups, contractors, developers, and the public.
Performs related duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS **Minimum requirements must be met by the closing date** Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.
A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be: EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE Education: Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in biology, nursing, public health, business administration, or a closely related field.
Experience: Two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in communicable disease control; planning, conducting, and evaluating epidemiologic studies; or analyzing public health statistics.
(Substitution: Equivalent to a master's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in epidemiology, biostatistics, or a closely related field may be substituted for required experience.
) LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS Licenses: Possession of a valid California driver's license issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles at the time of appointment.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS Qualify for security clearance through a background investigation and fingerprint check.
Ability to work irregular hours including evenings and weekends as necessary, and travel within and outside the County.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES Knowledge of: Principles and practices of leadership.
Principles of providing functional direction and training.
Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
Basic principles and practices of budget administration and monitoring.
Principles, practices, methods, and techniques of researching analyzing public health data and epidemiological trends.
Principles and practices of epidemiology including the development, protocols, and parameters of epidemiological studies.
Techniques of developing scientific reports and presenting technical data to a variety of audiences.
Applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, and procedures relevant to assigned areas of responsibility.
Principles and procedures of record keeping.
County and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff.
Techniques of effective oral and written communication; proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Current equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.
Ability to: Plan, organize, and coordinate the work of assigned staff.
Effectively provide staff leadership and work direction.
Assist in developing and implementing goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
Identify problems, research, and analyze relevant information, and develop and present recommendations and justification for solutions.
Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
Design and conduct complex public health studies.
Identify trends and patterns in communicable diseases and develop sound evidence-based recommendations.
Respond to complaints or inquiries from citizens, staff, and outside organizations.
Prepare clear, effective, and accurate reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
Maintain accurate logs, records, and written records of work performed.
Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, and to operate a motor vehicle and visit various County sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.
Standing in and walking between work areas is frequently required.
Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment.
Positions in this classification frequently bend, stoop, kneel, and reach to perform assigned duties, as well as push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.
Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 10 pounds.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels and controlled temperature conditions.
Employees may work outdoors and are occasionally exposed to loud noise levels and cold and/or hot temperatures.
Incumbents may be exposed to blood and bodily fluids in the performance of their assigned duties.
Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
DISASTER SERVICE WORKERS All Kings County employees are designated "Disaster Service Workers" through state and local laws (CA Government Code Sec.
3100-3109 and Emergency Services Chapter 6-8 via adoption of local Ordinance No.
361 § 1, 2-25-75).
As Disaster Service Workers, all County employees are expected to remain at work, or to report for work as soon as practicable, following a significant emergency or disaster.
A detailed job specification is available by clicking here.
SELECTION PROCESS: **EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER** All completed applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed.
Depending upon the number of applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, the examination process may include a screening committee (pass/fail) and/or written examination (pass/fail) and/or an oral examination (100%) which may include a written practical component to determine placement on the eligible list.