Epidemiology, Environmental and Occupational Health

N.J. Dept. of Health and Senior Services

P.O. Box 369

Trenton, N.J. 08625

New Jersey Department of Health & Senior Services

Communicable Disease Service

Vaccine Preventable Disease Program

H1N1 - Public Health Epidemiologist

(Special Services - Hourly Paid Position)

Purpose: To provide assistance to the full-time Influenza Surveillance Coordinator to monitor influenza and H1N1 disease activities as they evolve, and to assist in the interpretation of epidemiologic and clinical data.

Job Duties:

· Plan and implement epidemiologic investigations related to 2009 H1N1 (swine) influenza and influenza-like illness in New Jersey. This includes developing data collection tools, reviewing case reports, conducting descriptive and analytical studies, responding to outbreaks, and providing guidance to public health partners.

· Provide consultation and technical assistance to local health departments, regional epidemiologists, and surveillance partners.

· Monitor epidemiologic and clinical data collected from cases to identify changes in clinical presentation, illness severity and/or populations/groups at risk.

· Monitor laboratory data associated with specimens collected from all patients meeting epidemiologic and testing criteria.

· Work with the influenza surveillance coordinator to develop written guidance with regard to performing influenza surveillance and testing.

· Work with the influenza surveillance coordinator and data analysts to produce a weekly influenza report.

· May be called on to assist with emergency response activities outside of normal business hours.

Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree including or supplemented by at least six semester hour credits in statistics plus five years of professional experience in public health nursing and/or public health field investigations and administration, three years of which must have been in areas that include varied epidemiologic investigations in a broad range of public health problems. A master’s degree in public health, epidemiology, biometry, or statistics may be substituted for one year of experience. Applicants who possess the six semester hour credits in statistics, but who do not possess the bachelor’s degree, may substitute additional experience on a year-for-year basis. Qualified candidates should possess a valid driver’s license and have own transportation.

Knowledge & Skills:

Knowledge of epidemiologic research methodology, data collection procedures, study design, descriptive and inferential statistics.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of the biomedical sciences and public health.

Knowledge of the objectives and scope and functions of Federal, State and local health laws and regulations that apply to public health.

Knowledge of interviewing and investigating techniques used in the epidemiology of human disease, of the methods and practices for the control of human disease and of the causes and sources of contagion of communicable human disease.

Ability to understand technical and administrative problems and constraints involved in formulating disease control or prevention recommendations.

Ability to evaluate and interpret epidemiologic and statistical data.

Basic knowledge of Microsoft office products (word, excel, access) SAS, SAS enterprise guide

$30.72 - $35.03 per hour commensurate with experience - NO BENEFITS

Send resume and cover letter to: Patricia DeCarlo, Epidemiology, Environmental and Occupational Health, N.J. Dept. of Health and Senior Services, P.O. Box 369, Trenton, N.J. 08625 or email: psteeoh@doh.state.nj.us

EOE