State Public Health Epidemiologist

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Department of Human Services (DHS) merged on July 1, 2022, to form one agency, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). We are seeking a State Public Health Epidemiologist.

Serve as State Epidemiologist for the Department of Health and Human Services. Provide 24/7 epidemiological expertise on both infectious and non-infectious health issues. Support and advise the Medical Director and Director in coordinating public health efforts with other state agencies and across state lines and with federal agencies to improve the health of Iowans. Advise state leadership during emergencies to assist in public health preparedness and response and serve as a lead point of contact when executing a state emergency response.

Provide oversight and management of all public health epidemiology needs for the HHS, Public Health Division. Direct the disease investigation and surveillance activities performed by the Public Health Division. Direct the epidemiology priorities for the Public Health Division. Provide the Medical Director and Health and Human Services Director (Director) with regular updates on the trends and key epidemiological issues facing public health for the state of Iowa. Engage in the assessment of programmatic alignment between DHS and IDPH.

Assess public health trends, risk factors for health events, effectiveness of prevention and control efforts, and implement appropriate modifications to improve the health of Iowans. Advise the Medical Director and HHS Director on public health quarantine and isolation orders to protect Iowans from communicable disease threats. Plays a central role in determining the dissemination strategy for public health data in support of the HHS Director and Medical Director in accordance with legal statute. Consult with the public, local public health officials, and healthcare professionals on epidemiological issues.

Serve as the epidemiology liaison for the state with key national partners including the CDC and the state voting member of CSTE. Represent the agency on task forces, committees, at conferences, and other entities as appropriate/directed by the Medical Director and Director. Serve as part of the agency’s leadership team, performing other duties as assigned by the Medical Director and Director, including other duties as assigned in an emergency or disaster.

Benefits: We have a great total compensation package, including:

• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Sick Leave
• Vacation Leave
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System (IPERS)
• Retirement Investors Club (RIC) (Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan)
• Paid Holidays (9 days/year)

For additional information on benefits, please visit the Iowa Department of Administrative Services website at https://das.iowa.gov/human-resources/employee-and-retiree-benefits.

Director's Statement: HHS values those with “lived experience” and encourages adults who were fostered as youth, foster parents, and/or parents who were in the DHS system to apply. Minorities, women, persons with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply (Hearing and Speech Impaired – Relay Iowa 1-800-735-2942 TDD).

E-Verify Statement: Our agency uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.

This is a non-merit position with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Candidates must follow the instructions in the "To Apply" section. Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services - Human Resources Enterprise.

Selectives

185 Epidemiology

6 months’ experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both in epidemiology, which involves:

• The surveillance for respiratory diseases, vector-born diseases, enteric diseases, antimicrobial-resistant agents, or other infectious or non-infectious diseases
• The development of protocols and procedures for data collection and analysis, ongoing analysis of data using a variety of databases and statistical analysis programs
• The development and dissemination of written reports, graphs, tables, etc.

AND

535 Public Health

6 months’ experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both related to improving, maintaining, and protecting the general condition of health within society, either on a personal, institutional, organizational, or community basis. Experience may be gained from direct provision of health care or from other ancillary programs and support mechanisms such as government public health departments.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Applicants must meet all of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a doctorate degree in public health, epidemiology, philosophy, medicine, or veterinary medicine; and
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a graduate degree in public health with a focus on epidemiology; and
• Either of the following (a or b): a. Completion of Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) or equivalent training; or b. Six years of experience in applied epidemiology in an infectious, noninfectious, or chronic diseases; environmental poisonings or conditions; injury prevention; or a substance use related epidemiology program.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.