NJ Civil Service Navigator

PUBLIC HEALTH EPIDEMIOLOGIST (Local)

Code: 01745 Local Competitive

Public Health Epidemiologist is a competitive local-government title, the kind you test for: the exam result, not a hiring manager's pick, decides where you land in line.

It expects a master's degree and 2 years of relevant experience.

How to apply

This title is filled by competitive examination.

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Where this title is used

Public Health Epidemiologist is a local service title. It is filled by the counties, municipalities, authorities and other employers that have adopted civil service under Title 11A, not by State departments. Those employers set pay by ordinance or contract rather than from a State salary schedule, which is why most local titles carry no salary range here.

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Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

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.

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.

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, skills 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.

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.