Description
This is a remote/home-based, full-time, permanent position.
Join Our Team as a Wastewater Surveillance Epidemiologist (Epi2 Non-Med)
Make a difference in public health as a Wastewater Surveillance Epidemiologist to support wastewater-based disease surveillance in Washington State. This role is vital to advancing the use of wastewater data to enhance public health monitoring and inform evidence-based practices
Position Overview Reporting to the Epidemiologist 3 in the Office of Environmental Public Health Sciences, this position works closely with the Division of Disease Control and Health Statistics, the Office of Infectious Disease, and the Public Health Laboratory.
Key Responsibilities Include
- Developing guidelines and protocols to integrate wastewater data with other surveillance systems.
- Ensuring wastewater surveillance contributes directly to public health decision-making.
- Supporting Washington’s Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) grant in partnership with the CDC.
This position aligns with the DOH’s mission to protect and improve the health of all people in Washington State and contributes to strategic goals, including reducing communicable disease threats.
About the Office The Office of Environmental Public Health Sciences ensures that environmental public health programs and policies are grounded in robust scientific principles, supporting public health across the state.
If you have experience in epidemiology, a strong foundation in data-driven surveillance, and an interest in advancing innovative public health tools, this position offers an opportunity to make a significant impact.
Location and Flexibility
Enjoy the flexibility of our hybrid work environment, where you can balance working from home, attending conferences in and out of state and visiting local health jurisdictions across Washington. It is anticipated that you’ll be expected to attend conferences or in person events 3-5 times a year.
Required Qualifications (you must meet ONE of the provided options and any additional criteria listed.):
Experience defined below may have been gained through paid or unpaid activities. Please ensure any relevant experience defined below is outlined in your cover letter, resume, and/or applicant profile.
Experience may have been gained concurrently or through additional education.
Option 1 – Seven (7) years of experience analyzing, reporting, and interpreting epidemiological infectious disease data
AND communicating epidemiological concepts in writing on both technical and non-technical levels.
Option 2 – A Batchelor’s degree or higher in Epidemiology, Public Health, Statistics, or a related science which includes 12 graduate quarter hours in epidemiology or research methods, and 12 graduate quarter hours in statistics or biostatistics
AND two (2) or more years of experience in analyzing, reporting, and interpreting epidemiological data
AND two (2) or more years professional experience communicating epidemiological concepts in writing on both technical and non-technical levels.
Option 3 – A Master’s degree or higher in Epidemiology, Public Health, Statistics, or a related science which includes 12 graduate quarter hours in epidemiology or research methods, and 12 graduate quarter hours in statistics or biostatistics
AND One (1) or more years of experience in analyzing, reporting, and interpreting epidemiological data
AND One (1) or more years of experience communicating epidemiological concepts in writing on both technical and non-technical levels.
Preferred Qualifications
- Education or experience in wastewater-based epidemiology
- Use of modern epidemiologic surveillance systems and measures of disease activity (i.e. case definitions and syndromic data)
- Education or experience Microbiology and pathophysiology
- Research procedures including biostatistical methodology
- Computers and programming in database management and statistical software (i.e. R Studio and RED Cap)
Benefits And Lifestyle
We prioritize your work-life balance and offer one of the most competitive benefits packages nationwide, tailored to support your lifestyle. Discover more about "Why DOH" by visiting Work@Health .
We are the Washington State Department of Health (DOH)
At DOH, we safeguard public health in an ever-evolving world. Through collaboration with local health jurisdictions and state, federal, and private partners, our programs, and services impact every Washingtonian and visitor daily. We're driven by Equity, Innovation, and Engagement, as outlined in our Transformational Plan for the future of Washington health.
Conditions Of Employment
This position is covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.
I am prepared, with or without accommodations, to do the following:
- Commit to a full-time 40-hour workweek schedule (flexible work schedule requests must be approved supervisor).
- Communicate through applications such as MS Teams and MS Outlook, and by phone while working remotely.
- Adjust my work schedule occasionally to align with business needs, which may entail working evenings and weekends.
- Perform my job duties either remotely from home or in-person at the designated DOH site location.
- Occasional travel may be necessary, sometimes requiring overnight stays or trips out of state. You must be able to legally drive a vehicle or arrange alternative transportation for state business.
- Engage in emergency response exercises and high-priority assignments as assigned during emergency events.
Application Directions
To apply, click "Apply" and complete the application. Attach your resume, and cover letter.
In your Applicant Profile, include at least three professional references (including a supervisor, a peer, and someone you’ve supervised or led, if applicable). Please do not include private information such as social security number or year of birth.
Do Attach The Following
- Resume
- Cover letter
- DD-214 (if applicable)
Veterans Preference: Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference must attach a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or a signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to their application. Please remove or cover any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers and birth year
Do not include or attach the following – these documents or details will not be reviewed:
- REMOVE personal photos – do not submit any documents containing personal photos.
- Transcripts (unless specifically requested in the Application Directions)
- Certifications or Diplomas
- Projects or Portfolios
- Letters of Recommendation
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: We regard diversity as the foundation of our strength, recognizing that differing insights and abilities enable us to reflect the unique needs of the communities we serve.
DOH is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination based on race/ethnicity/color, creed, sex, pregnancy, age, religion, national origin, marital status, the presence or perception of a disability, veteran’s status, military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, or gender identity.
Questions and Accommodations: If you have questions, need accommodation in the application or selection process, or need information in an alternative format, contact
Andrea Thieme at (360) 918-6601 or andrea.thieme@doh.wa.gov. For general DOH recruitment questions, email the
Talent Acquisition Team at employment@doh.wa.gov . Deaf or hard of hearing contact Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1; individuals outside of Washington State contact Washington Relay Service at 1-800-833-6874.
Technical Support: Reach out to NEOGOV directly at 1-855-524-5627 for technical support and login issues.
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Supplemental Information
This recruitment may be used to fill positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment are filled, the candidate pool may be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.
Only applicants who follow the directions and complete the Application Process in full will have their responses reviewed for consideration.
Experience and education selected, listed, or detailed in the Supplemental Questions must be verifiable on the submitted applicant profile.