PUBLIC HEALTH EPIDEMIOLOGIST 

 DEFINITION:

 Under the direction of the Health Officer or other supervisory offical
 in a local health department, plans, organizes and implements an
 epidemiological public health program; provides consultation and
 advice to health care providers, infection control professionals and
 others; may supervise staff involved in investigative activities; does
 other related work.

 NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative
 purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform
 all duties listed in this job specification.  Conversely, all duties
 performed on the job may not be listed.

 EXAMPLES OF WORK:

 Plans, coordinates and supervises the epidemiological investigations
 and activities of the health department.

 Obtains data for epidemiological investigations.

 Prepares reports and maintains files of each case of a disease related
 to an outbreak investigation.

 Obtains laboratory reports, copies of hospital charts and other
 medical records; conducts interviews with patients, family
 representatives, and medical personnel to obtain information for
 epidemiological investigations.

 Evaluates surveillance of routinely reported data to detect clusters
 of disease cases that may signify an outbreak or epidemic.

 Conducts periodic surveillance of hospital emergency department
 admissions.

 Determines the need to collect samples; arranges for the
 transportation of samples to the appropriate laboratory when required.

 Participates in the planning, development, and evaluation of policies
 and programs related to epidemiology.

 May develop, evaluate and monitor public health department emergency
 response and community preparedness plans.

 Evaluates the communicable disease surveillance reporting system;
 develops revisions as required.

 Confers with government officials, infection control professionals,
 industry representatives and the public to promote public health
 programs.

 Provides assignments, training and instructions to assigned staff and
 supervises their work performance.

 Attends conferences and meetings to keep current with new developments
 in the field of epidemiology.

 Prepares reports of investigative activities containing findings,
 conclusions and recommendations.

 Establishes and maintains records and files.

 Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or 
 manual recording and information systems used by the agency,
 office or related units.

 REQUIREMENTS:

      EDUCATION:

      Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master
 of Science with a major concentration in epidemiology or biostatistics, 
 or a Master of Public Health with a major concentration in epidemiology 
 or biostatistics.

      EXPERIENCE:

      Two (2) years of experience as an epidemiologist in a health-
 related field.

      LICENSE:

      Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license in New
 Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee
 mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the
 position.

 KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

 Knowledge of public health practices and epidemiological research
 methods.

 Knowledge of epidemiological study procedures and their application 
 in monitoring public health.

 Knowledge of statistical analysis methods and their application.

 Knowledge of viral diseases and the testing measures used to
 investigate these diseases.

 Ability to plan, develop and conduct epidemiological surveys and
 studies.

 Ability to analyze and evaluate survey data.

 Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships
 with colleagues, physicians, hospital administrators, laboratory
 personnel and others.

 Ability to identify and utilize appropriate epidemiological study
 procedures and relevant statistical evaluation methods.

 Ability to provide assignments and instruction to staff and supervise
 their performance.

 Ability to prepare reports containing findings, conclusions and
 recommendations.

 Ability to establish and maintain records and files.

 Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual
 recording and information systems used by the agency, office or
 related units.

 Ability to read, write, speak, understand or communicate in English
 sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign
 Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of
 communication.

 Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as
 they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable
 accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation
 cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship,
 such persons may not be eligible.
 
This job specification is applicable to the following title code:
Job
Spec
Code
Variant
State,
Local or
Common
Class of
Service
Work
Week
State
Class
Code
Local
Class
Code
Salary
Range
Note
01745
L
C
  
N/A
27
-

This job specification is for local government use only.
Salary range is only applicable to state government.
Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions.

3/26/2003