Epidemiologist I (#MDAB01)
$52,894.00 Yearly Min / $66,118.00 Yearly Mid / $79,342.00 Yearly Max

Epidemiologist II (#MDAB02)
$59,894.00 Yearly Min / $74,867.00 Yearly Mid / $89,840.00 Yearly Max

Epidemiologist III (#MDAB03)
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$67,818.00 Yearly Min / $84,773.00 Yearly Mid / $101,728.00 Yearly Max

Epidemiologist IV (#MDAB04)
$76,791.00 Yearly Min / $95,989.00 Yearly Mid / $115,187.00 Yearly Max

This class series uses four levels in the Health and Human Services occupational group, Health and Safety occupational series and describes epidemiological work used in defining and explaining the interrelationships of factors that determine disease frequency and distribution in the State of Delaware and health effects related to exposure to diverse hazardous substances.
 
Note: This career ladder series incorporates levels I and II. The I level is to provide entry for hiring new employees into the class series but does not preclude hiring new employees at higher levels. Employees may be promoted through the career ladder in accordance with minimum qualifications and promotional standards. Promotional standards, a selection document under separate cover, sets forth the criteria that defines and describes the requirements that must be met at each level. Advancement of employees through the career ladder is dependent on an agency's/department's operational needs and distribution of work. 
 
The Epidemiologist III & IV levels, although not part of the career ladder, provides competitive opportunity for movement of employees.

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class.  Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here. 

• Conducts epidemiologic investigations, descriptive studies or analytic studies. 

• Identifies public health problems pertinent to the population and determines feasibility and approach for the study.
   
• Collects, analyzes and interprets data using statistical techniques to identify outbreaks, determine changes in trends and probable causes of epidemiologic problems; uses existing epidemiologic databases to analyze and interpret public health issues.
   
• Maintains surveillance systems used to monitor disease trends.
   
• Makes recommendations for continuation or changes to operations, programs, services, policies or procedures based on findings to promote and protect public health.
   
• May participate on internal and external committees and workgroups related to areas of expertise.

Epidemiologist I
 
This is the first level of epidemiologic work responsible for performing the full range of Essential Functions. 

• Works under the supervision of an administrative or technical supervisor. 
• Performs routine, standard epidemiologic work assignments; assists in more complex assignments. 
• Implements disease control protocols for reported public health diseases or problems. Assists in preparing statistical summaries and detailed scientific reports.
• May assist with writing grants and contracts.
• Contacts include providing scientific and technical assistance to members of local, state and federal agencies, industry, health care providers, communities and others interested or concerned with agency programs and projects.  

Epidemiologist II
 
This is the second level of epidemiologic work responsible for planning, organizing and conducting complex epidemiologic investigations and studies. 

• Conducts a broad and complex range of investigative, analytical and epidemiologic activities related to the surveillance, detection and prevention of diseases.
• Develops and designs methods of collecting, analyzing and disseminating data.
• Conducts epidemiologic outbreak investigations; performs on-site review of facilities and procedures; interviews patients, healthcare providers and others involved.
• Performs statistical analysis of complex data from a variety of disciplines to draw conclusions and recommend corrective actions.
• Designs and implements surveillance systems used to monitor disease trends.
• Designs and manipulates epidemiologic databases to analyze and interpret health problems.
• Develops disease control protocols for reported public health diseases or problems.
• Prepares, presents and publishes technical reports and findings for a variety of audiences including professionals and the public.
• Seeks outside funding sources and has primary responsibility for developing, monitoring and controlling budgets, grants, or contracts within set policies and procedures.
• May provide technical guidance to lower level staff.
• Contacts include providing expert scientific and technical direction, guidance and assistance to local, state and federal agencies, industry, health care providers, communities and the public.

Epidemiologist III 

This is the supervisory level of epidemiology work responsible for managing and directing an epidemiology program unit and performing advanced analytic work.

• Reports to an administrative supervisor.
• Supervision is exercised over two or more merit full time Epidemiologist positions per the Merit Rules. The elements of supervision include planning, assigning, reviewing and evaluating performance, training and recommending hire, termination and discipline.
• Provides technical guidance to staff.
• Develops, implements and monitors organizational performance measures to ensure program effectiveness and recommend improvements.
• Oversees the design and development of surveillance systems, data collection methods and instruments; develops methods for descriptive and comprehensive analyses of surveillance data for multiple purposes.
• Reviews and shares epidemiologic database content to develop and maintain partnerships for sharing and the use of data.
• Develops and evaluates methods of training for health care providers and local staff on appropriate methods of controlling diseases.
• Oversees the development, monitoring and control of budgets, grants, and contracts within set policies and procedures.

Epidemiologist IV
 
This is the expert level responsible for conducting the most complex or specialized epidemiologic investigations and studies requiring creative and innovative application of advanced epidemiologic, scientific and technical methods.

• Reports to a Public Health Administrator II or higher level and performs work with minimal supervision.
• Provides technical guidance and direction for all epidemiologic program areas across the division.
• Performs advanced and specialized epidemiologic work including extensive applied research in a specific field such as chronic disease, infectious disease, maternal and child health, environmental health, injury clusters, trend analysis, or geographic distribution of disease.
• Directs State program planning efforts with respect to surveillance and other epidemiologic data collection and evaluation.
• Serves as a recognized scientific expert on epidemiologic issues.
• Prepares, presents, and publishes technical reports and findings for the public, scientific community, and for legal documentation.
• Develops policies, procedures and plans for epidemiologic programs.

The intent of the listed knowledge, skills and abilities is to give a general indication of the core requirements for all positions in the class series; therefore, the KSA's listed are not exhaustive or necessarily inclusive of the requirements of every position in the class.Knowledge of the principles and practices of epidemiology.

• Knowledge of methods and techniques used in conducting epidemiological investigations and studies.
• Knowledge of epidemiological data collection procedures.
• Knowledge of communicable, chronic, or environmental diseases and their causes.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and procedures of grants, contracts or budget management.
• Knowledge of bio-statistics.
• Knowledge of diagnostic and laboratory survey techniques.
• Skill in analyzing, interpreting and evaluating epidemiological and statistical data.
• Skill in identifying disease outbreaks and trends using data collection and existing epidemiologic databases.
• Skill in identifying causes and sources of contagious or environmentally induced diseases.
• Ability to apply methods and procedures used in the control of contagious or environmentally induced diseases.
• Ability to recommend and evaluate effectiveness of disease control measures.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with State and federal environmental agencies, community representatives, and the media.
• Ability to communicate effectively.

In addition to the above knowledge, skills and abilities, the Epidemiologist II requires:

• Knowledge of medical jurisprudence including public health laws and regulations involving multiple disciplines and agencies.
• Skill in the methods and techniques of advanced statistical analysis, study and design.
• Skill in interviewing methods and techniques.
• Skill in planning, organizing and conducting complex epidemiological investigations and studies.
• Skill in developing and designing methods of collecting, analyzing and disseminating data.
• Skill in analyzing, interpreting, and evaluating complex scientific information.
• Skill in designing and implementing surveillance systems.
• Skill in designing and manipulating epidemiologic databases to analyze and interpret health problems.
• Skill in the principles, practices, and procedures of grants, contracts or budget management.
• Ability to mediate complex and conflicting priorities to resolve community concerns.
• Ability to communicate complex issues to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to work with scientists and technical staff from a diverse and multidisciplinary background.

In addition to the above knowledge, skills and abilities, the Epidemiologist III requires:

• Knowledge of State and regional public health policies, procedures and objectives.
• Skill in supervisory methods and techniques.
• Skill in managing, directing and overseeing a program unit with multiple segments to accomplish division goals and objectives.
• Skill in program development, evaluation, design and monitoring functions.
• Skill in developing long range plans and objectives for epidemiologic program services.
• Skill in developing laboratory processes that will maximize accuracy of results.
• Skill in overseeing the design and development of surveillance systems.
• Skill developing community partnerships to support epidemiologic investigations and studies.
• Skill in ensuring work is in compliance with state and federal laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures.
• Skill in conducting interviews to collect data for epidemiologic investigations and studies.
• Ability to provide technical advice to program staff, public health staff and the community.
• Ability to establish relationships with groups of special concern such as disadvantaged groups, minorities, or groups subject to health disparities.
• Ability to analyze complex federal reports and determine implications on the State/Department.

In addition to the above knowledge, skills and abilities, the Epidemiologist IV requires:

• Knowledge of international laws, rules and regulations applicable to public health programs.
• Knowledge of national socio-economic factors impacting public health issues.
• Skill in applying and integrating advanced epidemiologic theories, concepts, principles, and processes for assignments of a diverse and complex nature.
• Skill in performing and developing innovative and sophisticated methods, techniques, and procedures of research and analysis.
• Skill in analyzing and evaluating complex public health problems, trends and concerns to determine and implement course of action.
• Skill in presenting epidemiologic findings to both the scientific community and the public; translating findings into scientific publications.
• Skill in providing expert guidance to staff, Division Directors and other administrative management on epidemiologic investigations and studies.
• Skill in creating and implementing new interventions and control measures in response to epidemiologic findings.
• Skill in developing policies and procedures.
• Ability to assess the impact of public health issues on epidemiologic programs.
• Ability to design and implement previously untried programs and methods.

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Epidemiologist IV
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

1. Possession of a Masters degree or higher in Life, Physical, Health Science or related field.
2. Possession of scientific prominence or recognition with publication in a scientific or trade journal.
3. Three years experience in designing and implementing epidemiologic research methods for communicable, chronic or environmental diseases or other public health problems.
4. Three years experience in designing, conducting, and analyzing epidemiologic studies such as developing and testing a hypothesis by selecting cases and controls, determining information needed, data sources, sampling and collection methods.
5. Three years experience in designing and using surveillance systems to monitor public health problems.
6. Six months experience in inferential statistics such as correlation, t-tests, f-tests or analysis of variance.
7. Three years experience in providing epidemiologic direction, guidance and assistance to state and federal agencies or public and private organizations to control public health problems affecting a population.
8. Six months experience in managing budgets, grants or contracts.