Oral Health Epidemiologist

DSHS is committed to hiring skilled and dedicated individuals who share a passion for public health to pursue our vision of A Healthy Texas. If you are looking to make an impact and tackle new challenges, we encourage you to consider a career with us. Employee Benefits: DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS). To learn more about all the benefits available to you as a DSHS employee and other DSHS opportunities for early career pathways, visit the DSHS Careers Page. Review our Top 10 Tips for Success when Applying to State of Texas Jobs. Functional Title: Oral Health Epidemiologist Job Title: Epidemiologist III Agency: Dept of State Health Services Department: M&CH Epidemiology Posting Number: 17607 Closing Date: 06/18/2026 Posting Audience: Internal and External Occupational Category: Computer and Mathematical Salary Range: $5,098.66 - $6,701.75 Pay Frequency: MonthlySalary Group: TEXAS-B-23 Shift: Day Additional Shift: Telework: Not Eligible for Telework Travel: Up to 10% Regular/Temporary: Regular Full Time/Part Time: Full time FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt Facility Location: Job Location City: AUSTIN Job Location Address: 1100 W 49TH ST (RDM) Other Locations: MOS Codes: 230X,43EX,43HX,43TX,4E0X1,61G,HM,SEI12 Brief Job Description: The Epidemiologist III performs advanced (senior-level) research and epidemiological work in the Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology (MCHE) Unit within the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Section within the Community Health Improvement Division. Reports to the Epidemiology Branch Director under minimal supervision and considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement. Serves as a lead investigator for MCH surveillance and analytics to inform Title V MCH Block Grant programs with a primary focus on the Oral Health Improvement Program. Proposes, designs, and conducts complex epidemiologic studies with large data sets, small data sets, and complex sample survey data to monitor the oral health of children, adolescents, pregnant women, and other populations. Uses specialized software, such as SAS, Python, SQL, Tableau, and ArcGIS, to analyze and display data for presentations, reports, publications, and other products. Utilizes advanced statistical software and techniques to automate and simplify routine data tasks. Develops and maintains complex, detailed scientific protocols and operational manuals on all projects. Identifies opportunities for the use and distribution of program data to internal and external stakeholders. Essential Job Functions (EJFs): Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned. 30% Serves as a lead investigator for MCH surveillance and analytics to inform Title V MCH Block Grant programs with a primary focus on the Oral Health Improvement Program. Designs, develops, and implements advanced epidemiologic investigations following new or standardized scientific polices/protocols, coordinating studies, collecting, analyzing and evaluating data, and communicating results. This includes developing surveys, needs assessments, and interview guides, and collecting data with those newly developed tools. Identifies opportunities to integrate the use of regional and local information into program data collection and analysis. 25% Proposes, designs, and conducts complex epidemiologic studies with large data sets (e.g., birth and death records), small data sets (e.g., Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System), and complex sample survey data (e.g., Texas School Physical Activity and Nutrition Study) to monitor the oral health of children, adolescents, pregnant women, and other populations. Uses specialized software, such as SAS, Python, SQL, Tableau, and ArcGIS, to analyze and display data for presentations, reports, publications, and other products. Utilizes advanced statistical software and techniques to automate and simplify routine data tasks. 20% Consults with health professionals, researchers, and other epidemiologists within DSHS to define and solve specific problems and assure quality control across methods, procedures, and statistical analyses. Develops and maintains complex, detailed scientific protocols and operational manuals on all projects. 20% Develops and directs grant-funded projects, generates scientific publications, public health reports, and presentations of completed work to agency/program management and/or scientific conferences. Supports data quality and improvement efforts throughout the MCH Section. Identifies opportunities for the use and distribution of program data to internal and external stakeholders. 5% Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery, Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation, and/or serving on the State Medical Operations Center (SMOC) team. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Knowledge of epidemiology and related biostatistics principles and methods. Knowledge of statistical concepts, research methods and planning, and their applications to public health surveillance, epidemiology, and research. Knowledge of oral health and MCH epidemiology. Knowledge of laws and rules applicable to confidentiality and the management of protected health information. Knowledge of computer software package applications, including statistical packages and programs (such as SAS, SAS Macros, Python, SAS Viya, and SQL), Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access), and Tableau. Skills in good coordination, communication, and writing. Skills in developing technical standard operating procedures and data management plans. Strong project management skills to organize major project activities into a logical sequence with a reasonable and achievable set of deadlines. Skills in advanced SAS programming logic and scripting for statistical analysis of large data sets (100,000 records or more). Skills in using statistical measurement techniques, research design and implementation, and problem-solving methods and techniques. Skill in identifying problems, evaluating alternatives, and negotiating and implementing solutions to data and research problems. Strong technical writing skills to communicate projects and research clearly and succinctly to a variety of audiences. Ability to work independently and show initiative. Ability to gather information from a variety of sources and synthesize and translate detailed information into simpler terms. Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely orally and in writing. Ability to assess the reliability, validity, and appropriateness of proposed data collection methods and epidemiologic designs. Ability to plan, organize, and conduct assigned phases of complex research projects. Ability to conduct advanced statistical analyses with SAS. Ability to analyze larger data sets and complex sample survey data. Ability to interpret complex statistical analysis, charts, and tables. Ability to formulate reasonable hypothesis and structure research designs to account for variables. Ability to develop and effectively deliver training and technical assistance about research and data methods, procedures or DSHS policies. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and work with others as part of a team. Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria: Graduation from an accredited college or university and graduate education resulting in the receipt of a Master’s degree in epidemiology, public health, human development, social science, or related field. Experience and education may be substituted for one another on a year-to-year basis. Experience in primary data collection. Experience with complex sample survey data collection preferred. Experience in survey data analysis. Experience analyzing complex sample survey data preferred. Experience in SAS programming language. Additional Information: Applicants selected for an interview will be required to provide two samples:

1. A writing sample as first author; and
2. A SAS statistical program sample (in PDF, Word, or similar file format) with examples of coding, data cleaning, data manipulation, and data analysis.

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans: Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified for this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at ADA Accommodations: In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), DSHS will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring process for individuals with a qualifying disability. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the interview process, please notify the person who contacts you to schedule the interview. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at View phone number on click.appcast.io or via email at View email address on click.appcast.io. Salary Information, Pre-employment Checks, and Work Eligibility: The salary offered will follow DSHS starting salary guidelines. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds. Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks. DSHS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 form