Public Health Epidemiologist I

Our mission at the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) is to improve the quality of life of Delaware citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. We prioritize personal and family independence by assisting individuals and families in a variety of life areas. We offer numerous career opportunities and are dedicated to attracting and retaining highly talented individuals who are ready to make a difference in their community today.

The primary responsibilities of this position include conducting epidemiologic investigations and studies to identify and respond to public health problems associated with chronic diseases. This role involves working with program data, epidemiologic databases, and surveillance systems, and requires strong experience with program evaluation, disease registries, statistical packages, data visualization tools, and mapping packages. It also includes participation in the Office of Epidemiology on-call rotation and serving as a State Health Operations Center responder.

Identifies public health problems pertinent to the population and determines feasibility and approach for the study.

Collects, analyzes and interprets data using statistical techniques to identify outbreaks, determine changes in trends and probable causes of epidemiologic problems; uses existing epidemiologic databases to analyze and interpret public health issues.

Maintains surveillance systems used to monitor disease trends.

Makes recommendations for continuation or changes to operations, programs, services, policies or procedures based on findings to promote and protect public health.

Possession of a Bachelors degree or higher in Life, Physical, Health Science or a related field.

Six months experience in using epidemiological methods to identify, study and control the incidence and distribution of communicable, chronic or environmental diseases or other public health problems.

Six months experience in designing, conducting, and analyzing epidemiologic studies such as developing and testing a hypothesis by selecting cases and controls, determining information needed, data sources, sampling and collection methods.

Six months experience in designing and using surveillance systems to monitor public health problems.

Six months experience in inferential statistics such as correlation, t-tests, f-tests or analysis of variance.

Six months experience in preparing statistical summaries and scientific reports.

Six months experience in providing epidemiologic direction, guidance and assistance to state and federal agencies or public and private organizations to control public health problems affecting a population.

Six months experience in managing budgets, grants or contracts.

To learn more about the comprehensive benefit package please visit our website at

We strongly encourage and seek out a workforce representative of Delaware including race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.

#