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: Epidemiologist Job Title: Epidemiologist II Agency: Dept of State Health Services Department: TB Branch Posting Number: 17372 Closing Date: 06/11/2026 Posting Audience: Internal and External Occupational Category: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Salary Range: $4,523.16 - $6,000.00 Pay Frequency: MonthlySalary Group: TEXAS-B-21 Shift: Day Additional Shift: Days (First) Telework: Eligible for Telework Travel: Up to 15% Regular/Temporary: Regular Full Time/Part Time: Full time FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt Facility Location: Job Location City: AUSTIN Job Location Address: 201 W HOWARD LN STE 200 Other Locations: MOS Codes: 230X,43EX,43HX,43TX,4E0X1,61G,HM,SEI12 Brief Job Description Under the direction of the Tuberculosis (TB) and Hansen's disease group manager, performs advanced epidemiological work. Work involves conducting assessment of genotyping clusters and contact investigations performed by Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) public health regions (PHRs) and local health departments’ (LHDs) TB programs. Provides guidance to PHRs and LHDs on managing TB outbreaks and complex investigations. Serves as the subject matter expert on investigating TB outbreaks and performing contact investigations. Participates in developing program protocols for conducting contact investigations in high profile settings such as academic institutions, congregate settings and other media-sensitive environments. Receives TB incident reports from PHRs and LHDs and evaluates requests to perform TB screenings in academic institutions, congregate settings and other media sensitive environments. Participates and provides epidemiologic direction in high profile contact investigations. Prepares epidemiologic reports on TB outbreaks, complex and high profile contact investigations. Works to establish epidemiologic linkages based on cluster investigations. Performs social network analysis. Essential Job Functions (EJF) Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in acordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned

• 40%) Contact investigation coordination: Provides guidance to public health regions and local health departments on managing TB outbreaks and complex investigations. Participates in developing and maintaining policies and procedures on contact investigations and TB outbreak management involving academic institutions, congregate settings and other places of employment. Oversees investigations involving congregate settings, places of employment and other media sensitive environments. Supports health service regions and local health departments in evaluating contact investigation efforts. Evaluates contact investigation outcomes. Develops plans to improve contact investigation outcomes. Maintains data profile on confirmed TB outbreaks, investigations involving media sensitive environments and other places of employment to include congregate settings and academic institutions. Prepares epidemiologic reports on key contact investigation activities. Serves as a resource on TB infection rates in communities throughout Texas.
• 30%) Genotyping coordination: Routinely monitors TB genotyping information management systems (TB GIMS) to identify medium and highly concerning TB clusters. Notifies PHRs and LHDs of medium and highly concerning clusters and provides guidance to PHRs and LHDs to perform cluster investigations. Participates in developing and maintaining policies and procedures on genotyping and TB cluster investigations and management. Evaluates and approves requests to investigate genotyped clusters. Oversees cluster investigations involving congregate settings, places of employment and other media sensitive environments. Supports PHRs and LHDs in evaluating genotyped clusters. Develops resources that facilitate management of genotyped clusters and cluster alerts. Researches epidemiologic linkages based on cluster investigations including identifying false positive AFB culture reports; makes recommendations to determine associations; review results of the investigations and presents case studies for training purposes. Participates in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-directed genotyping conference calls. Serves as a subject matter expert in the development, testing and rollout of the statewide TB case management and surveillance system regarding genotyping.
• 15%) Incident reports and Multi-state/International TB exposures: Reviews TB incident reports submitted by DSHS PHRs and LHD TB programs. Evaluates requests to perform large scale investigations in which 50 or more persons are considered for testing. Coordinates all airline, land or sea exposure notification received through CDC Epi-X; notifies PHRs and LHDs of airline, land or sea exposures received through Epi-X for follow-up and reporting. Assures all notifications are addressed within appropriate time frames including preparing and submitting responses to the requestor.
• 10%) Workforce development: Participates in quarterly new employee orientation seminars. Coordinates genotyping training and assists with contact investigation training. Develops processes to evaluate funded TB programs using genotyping data. Develops resources and reports that facilitate managing contact investigations; quantifies infection rates to guide expanding contact investigations; prepares and guides local TB staff in using social network analysis.
• 5%) Other duties as assigned: 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 or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Licensure, Certification, or Registration Required Valid and current Texas driver's license Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required Knowledge of major functions of public health Knowledge of infectious disease surveillance Knowledge of the principles and methods of epidemiology Knowledge of statistical concepts, research methods, and their applications to public health surveillance and research Knowledge of sampling, survey methods and weighing Knowledge of the health status, socioeconomic and demographic measures used in public health. Knowledge of population, socioeconomic and health outcomes data sources Knowledge of programming logic Knowledge of security and confidentiality as it relates to surveillance Skill in using Microsoft Office products especially Excel and PowerPoint Skill in using graphics presentation software Skill in using statistical software such as SAS and in writing syntax to perform analyses Skill in data management and analysis Skill in both verbal and written communications Skill in graphical presentation of data including charts, tables, and maps Skill in working with sensitive personal health information Ability to manage and query complex databases Ability to plan, conduct and report on epidemiological investigations Ability to use population data for public health planning and evaluation Ability to conduct research projects Ability to organize and prioritize work and meet deadlines Ability to exercise independent judgment and show initiative Ability to communicate effectively with data users, coworkers and stakeholders Ability to maintain effective working relationships Additional Information Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship. The salary offered will follow DSHS starting salary guidelines. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds. Applicants invited to an interview will be administered a skills test as part of the interview process. Must be willing to travel at least 15% of the time. Must be willing to work outside the normal work schedule if needed. To be considered for an interview, applicants must demonstrate a clear match to all initial criteria in the EMPLOYMENT HISTORY and SUMMARY OF EXPERIENCE SECTIONS of the application. Resumes will not be considered. Initial Screening Criteria Master's Degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in epidemiology, public health or closely related field. A Master's degree in epidemiology is preferred. At least one year's work experience in epidemiologic investigations 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