Position Description
If you’re looking to be a part of a collaborative environment where your skills can make an impact, explore our current opportunities in creating a better future for public health.
About Harris County Public Health:Harris County Public Health (HCPH) includes a network of more than 1,100 public health professionals working together to improve health outcomes for the third most populous county in the United States. HCPH provides a multitude of services such as medical and dental services, community programming, and health education for the approximately 2.3 million people in unincorporated Harris County. Through its core values of innovation, engagement, and health equity, HCPH strives to bring meaningful solutions to public health issues while keeping Harris County healthy and vibrant.
Our Values:
HCPH embraces a foundation of progressive work anchored by the department's cornerstone values guiding our work to improve community's health and well-being.
- Transparency- We share information openly and honestly so that staff, partners, and the community understand our actions and the reasons behind them.
- Integrity- Our actions reflect strong ethical principles, ensuring we remain trustworthy, accountable, and consistent with our mission.
- Respect - We foster a supportive environment by valuing diverse perspectives, listening intentionally, and treating people with dignity in every interaction.
- Impact -We focus our efforts on activities that improve health, reduce disparities, and create meaningful, measurable outcomes for the communities we serve.
- Collaboration- We actively partner across teams, disciplines, organizations, and communities to align our efforts toward common goals.
Position Overview:
Under the supervision of the Communicable and Emerging Diseases Supervisor, the Surveillance Epidemiologist applies principles of Epidemiology to disease control activities and surveillance issues related to public health services and preparedness within the jurisdiction of HCPH. These principles will be applied to all notifiable conditions with a focus on Tuberculosis (TB) investigations and surveillance, and will include monitoring disease trends in the county, serving as the subject matter expert during TB case and outbreak investigations, and performing contact investigations. Responsibilities also include prevention and control of diseases related to potential Bioterrorism/Chemical/Radiological agents, and the proper surveillance and reporting of normal disease occurrence and outbreak situations. The Epidemiologist may also contribute to the investigations of chronic/environmental disease conditions as needed, as well as, analysis of disease data in surveillance activities.
Duties & Responsibilities:
Epidemiology Duties
- Conduct epidemiology case and contact investigations for selected communicable diseases or notifiable conditions, with a focus on TB, and other conditions/illnesses of public health significance to ensure readiness for responding to public health threats and emergencies. Ensure data entry of cases/contacts and investigations into the appropriate surveillance data management systems and meet standards outlined by State of Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). Provide 24/7 disease surveillance coverage on a rotating basis with other epidemiologists for after hour calls.
- Provide consultation and make recommendations for control measures and prevention based on public health guidelines. Collect, package, and process specimens in accordance with laboratory guidelines for testing, as needed.
Research, Data Analysis, and Reports
- Participate in research activities which may include the design, preparation, and review of reports from analyses of surveillance data, literature reviews, and other information.
- Perform data analysis of cases/contacts, field investigations, and other data sources for routine surveillance reports, such as TB for Harris County, as well as reports of KPIs. Other reports may include monthly morbidity reports, disease summary reports, TB reports and outbreak investigation summary reports.
Outreach
- Establish and maintain relationships with hospital infection control preventionists, school health care coordinators, nurses, and other partners to promote reporting of Texas notifiable conditions. Initiate active surveillance in daycares, schools, and long-term care facilities etc. when an outbreak occurs. Coordinate with TB clinic for investigations, referrals, and quality assurance.
- Provide information related to epidemiology, surveillance, and other public health issues to diverse audiences and community partners, such as schools. Conduct presentations to healthcare professionals and public constituents on the risk, prevention, and control measures associated with notifiable conditions such as TB, as well as education on PrEP and nPEP.
Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net
This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.
Requirements
Education:
- Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Public Health disciplines such as Epidemiology, biomedical sciences, statistics, or related science degree.
Experience:
- At least one (1) year of experience working in a public health-related area, such as local health department disease investigation, college or university public health project, clinical or public health laboratory, disease surveillance, or statistical project.
Licensure/Certification:
- Valid Driver's License (Texas upon hire) along with a good driving record for regular local travel when needed to attend other local health departments or State, Regional Health department meetings and trainings.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Proficient in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
- Proficient with statistical analysis software (SPSS, STATA, SAS, R, or Epi Info).
- Excellent communication skills (verbal & written).
- Ability to write reports and technical papers.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and foster teamwork in a diverse environment.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality when dealing with sensitive information.
- Ability to work well with public and staff members.
- Use your personal mobile device for our Multifactor Authentication process.
Core Competencies:
- Data Analytics and Assessment Skills: Ability to use data to analyze community health needs and support decisions that improve community health outcomes.
- Communication Skills: This competency focuses on using clear and effective communication to engage audiences, address misinformation, and build trust, supporting informed decisions and stronger public health outcomes.
- Health Advancement Skills: This competency focuses on applying principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion to public health, addressing systemic barriers, and promoting fair access to resources for healthier communities.
- Community Partnership Skills: This competency focuses on collaborating with communities to address the systems and policies affecting health, fostering engagement, shared ownership, and sustainable improvements in well-being.
- Public Health Science Skills: This competency focuses on using public health science and evidence-based approaches to develop and improve policies and programs, ensuring effective delivery of the 10 Essential Public Health Services.
NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.General Information
Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:
- This is a regular, full-time position.
- Days and hours of work are typically Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
- Other days and hours as necessary.
Work Environment:
- This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.
Physical Demands:
- This is a largely sedentary role; however, some duties would require the ability to lift up to 20 pounds and bending & standing for periods at a time.
Work Location:
- Harris County Public Health: Office of Epidemiology, Surveillance & Emerging Diseases - 1111 Fannin St. Houston, Texas. 77002.
Employment is contingent upon passing a background check and drug screen.
Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.
Benefits
HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.
The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions:
Health & Wellness Benefits
- Medical Coverage
- Dental Coverage
- Vision Coverage
- Wellness Plan
- Life Insurance
- Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
- Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
- Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
- One (1) floating holiday per year
- Paid Parental Leave*
- Sick Leave
Retirement Savings Benefit
- 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
The following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions:
- Professional learning & development opportunities
- Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)
- Flexible work schedule*
- METRO RideSponsor Program*
- Participation may vary by County department. The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas.
In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.
For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website:
www.benefitsathctx.com