Epidemiologist

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is hiring a full-time Epidemiologist to support local health departments in eastern Kansas. Responsibilities include investigating infectious disease cases, data analysis, and public health training. The position allows for exclusive remote work within Kansas, with possible travel for outbreak investigations. The job offers benefits such as medical coverage, paid leave, and retirement programs. Applications are open until April 28, 2025.
Job Posting

Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy

Job Posting closes:April 28, 2025

Required documents uploaded by:April 28, 2025

Kansas Department of Health and Environment:

Our agency is led by Secretary Janet Stanek, who was appointed by Gov. Kelly in Dec 2021. KDHE is comprised of three divisions: Public Health, Environment, and Health Care Finance (which includes the State’s Medicaid program, KanCare). We are the only agency in the nation to have these three entities under one roof which allows us to take a holistic approach to improving and protecting the health and well-being of all Kansans.

About The Position

Who can apply: Anyone (External)

Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified

Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm (Flexible schedules available)

Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes

Veterans' Preference Eligible: Yes

Compensation:
• Hourly Pay Range:$27.51 - $31.04
• Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.

Employment Benefits

Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage

Sick & Vacation leave

Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave

Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)

Fitness Centers in select locations

Employee discounts with the STAR Program

Retirement And Deferred Compensation Programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information…

Position Summary & Responsibilities

Position Summary:

The position (K0242797)

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has an Epidemiologist opening. The Bureau of Epidemiology and Public Health Informatics is seeking a field epidemiologist within our Infectious Disease and Epidemiology Response Section to provide epidemiological support for local health departments (LHDs) in eastern Kansas pertaining to investigation of complex or unusual infectious disease cases and large or complicated outbreaks, reporting and surveillance for reportable diseases, data analysis, and public health training and education. This position is permitted to work exclusively remote and is not required to reside within eastern Kansas but required to reside within the state of Kansas. Travel may be required to assist local health departments in significant case or outbreak investigations.

Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:
• Participate in the epidemiologist on-call rotation providing 24-hour technical assistance to the general public, local health departments, and healthcare professionals.
• Provide technical assistance to LHDs for investigation of complex or unusual infectious disease cases and outbreaks, including providing guidance on how to conduct investigations.
• Enhance the recognition, reporting and investigation of outbreaks and actively support LHD management of outbreaks. For large outbreaks this may include engaging appropriate partners and stakeholders, development and strengthening of collaborations, and development of targeted communication messages for specific groups.
• Provide information and updates to LHDs on infectious disease guidance through webinars and/or written communications.
• Provide training and education for LHD staff on disease surveillance, reporting, and prevention and control through in-person meetings, webinars, or recorded trainings.
• Serve as a liaison between KDHE and LHDs to enhance information sharing and situational awareness and foster a collaborative environment between LHDs and local and state stakeholders.
• Engage with LHDs and local health partners through outreach, by sharing local, regional, and state level data, and through public health consultation and education as needed.
• Organize regular regional meetings with LHDs, field epidemiologists, public health nurses, and KDHE program staff to sustain communication and provide educational and training opportunities.
• Conduct annual individual county needs assessments and utilize results to identify further areas for field epi support and training.
• Provide data analysis support to LHDs by responding to requests for surveillance data. Field epis will generate specific surveillance reports for individual counties and the region on a regular and as needed basis to assist in identifying trends in infectious diseases to inform public health action.

Qualifications
• Education:
• Masters of Public Health or other Master's program related to public health and epidemiology.
• Licensing & Certification:
• Valid Driver's License - Incumbent is required to have and maintain a valid driver's license when operating a state vehicle, a private vehicle, or a rental vehicle for the benefit of the State.
• Minimum Qualifications:
• Masters of Public Health or other Master's program related to public health and epidemiology.
• Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience in applied epidemiology or statistical analysis.
• Experience or training in infectious disease surveillance; specifically, implementation of prevention and control measures.
• Ability to conduct comprehensive analyses on disease surveillance data using SAS (preferred) or other statistical packages.
• Proofreading, editing, attention to detail.
• Ability to establish and maintain relationships with colleagues and outside partners.
• Ability to communicate effectively with others.
• Familiarity of an electronic disease surveillance system.

Recruiter Contact Information

Name: Ashley Webb

Email: Ashley.Webb@ks.gov

Mailing Address:1000 SW Jackson St. Suite 580 Topeka, KS 66612

Job Application Process
• First Sign in or register as a New User.
• Complete or update your contact information on the Careers> My Contact Information page. *This information is included on all your job applications.
• Upload required documents listed below for the Careers> My Job Applications page. *This information is included on all your job applications.
• Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and Submit when it is complete.
• Manage your draft and submitted applications on the Careers> My Job Applications page.
• Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.
• Email – sent to the Preferred email on the My Contact Information page
• Notifications – view the Careers> My Job Notifications page

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov : “How to Apply for a Job – Instructions” and “How to Search for a Job – Instructions"

Required Documents For This Application To Be Complete

Upload these on the Careers - My Job Applications page

Transcripts

DD214 (if you are claiming Veteran’s Preference)

Upload these on the Attachments step in your Job Application
• Resume
• Cover Letter

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov : “How, What, & Where do I Upload Documents”

How To Claim Veterans Preference

Veterans' Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran’s Preference

How To Claim Disability Hiring Preference

Applicants that have physical, cognitive and/or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions. If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position. The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference

PLEASE NOTE: The documentation verifying a person's eligibility for use of this preference should not be sent along with other application materials to the hiring agency but should be sent directly to OPS. These documents should be sent either by fax to (785)296-7712, scanned and emailed to Gustavo.Victoriano@ks.gov, or can be mailed/delivered in person to:

ATTN: Disability Hiring Preference Coordinator

Office of Personnel Services

Landon State Office Building

900 SW Jackson, Rm 401

Topeka, KS 66612

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.