HAI Epidemiologist

Agency

Dept of Health and Human Services

Division

Public Health

Job Classification Title

Publ Hlth Epidemiologist (NS)

Position Number

65025051

Grade

MH15

About Us

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.

Description of Work

The Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Epidemiologist collects, analyzes, and interprets surveillance data to investigate the causes of negative health outcomes, including infectious diseases, injuries, and antimicrobial‑resistant pathogens. This position designs and conducts epidemiologic analyses, prepares routine and specialized reports, and supports evidence‑based interventions that reduce risk and prevent adverse health outcomes.

The HAI Epidemiologist provides consultation to clinicians, infection prevention professionals, local health departments, and partner organizations regarding disease identification, reporting, and control strategies.

The HAI Epidemiologist contributes to outbreak investigations, public health response activities, and the development of policies and plans that strengthen disease‑prevention capacity statewide.


Key Duties Include:
- Collects and analyzes surveillance data for health care‑associated and antimicrobial‑resistant pathogens using systems such as the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) and the North Carolina Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NC EDSS).

- Designs epidemiologic analyses based on scientific questions, data characteristics, and public health needs.

- Generates routine and ad‑hoc epidemiologic reports for internal and external partners using statistical and analytic software.

- Provides consultation and technical assistance to clinicians, infection control professionals, local health departments, and partner organizations regarding disease identification, reporting, and prevention.

- Conducts epidemiologic investigations, including outbreak detection, case investigations, trend analysis, and interpretation of statistical data.

- Assists partners with gap analysis, identification of mitigation strategies, and implementation of evidence‑based interventions to reduce health care‑associated infections.

- Participates in public health responses to emerging or high‑consequence infectious diseases and supports coordination across state and local partners.

- Conducts literature reviews and applies relevant scientific findings to inform program activities, disease‑control recommendations, and public health planning.

- Develops and contributes to epidemiologic policies, procedures, and prevention plans that support disease‑control programs and statewide public health initiatives.

- Provides training, technical assistance, and consultation in epidemiologic principles, disease surveillance, and infection‑prevention practices.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Grade Range: $61,177.00 - $91,767.00

Recruitment Range: $61,177.00 - $74,000.00

Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement. 
 
The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)/ Management Preferences are not required. Applicants who possess the following skills are preferred: 

• Proven experience in health care‑associated infections and antimicrobial‑resistant pathogens, including interpreting surveillance findings and applying evidence‑based practices for prevention and control.

• Thorough, demonstrated expertise in infection prevention, including assessment of facility‑level gaps, evaluation of mitigation strategies, and consultation with partners responsible for infection control activities.

• Intermediate-level proficiency using statistical software such as SAS or R to conduct epidemiologic analyses, develop analytic plans, interpret statistical outputs, and prepare data reports for internal and external partners.

• Demonstrated experience conducting surveillance‑based case investigations and outbreak investigations, including data collection, analytic design, results interpretation, and communication of findings for public health response.

• Advanced skill in managing and analyzing surveillance data from systems such as the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) and the North Carolina Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NC EDSS), including extracting datasets, cleaning data, producing routine reports, and conducting trend analysis.

The Posting Will Close At 11:59 P.M. The Night Before The End Date

The Position Is Time-Limited, Concluding On July 31, 2029 - Extension Subject To Funding

This Position Is 100% Federally Funded

This Position Is Eligible For A Hybrid Work Option

Physical Requirements:

• Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and other sedentary criteria are met.

• Work Requires visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing; viewing a computer monitor; extensive reading; visual inspections involving small defects, small parts, and/or operation of machines (including inspection); using measurement devices; and/or assembly or fabrication of parts at distances close to the eyes.

• This position requires: crouching, standing, walking, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.

About the NC Division of Public Health (DPH):
The NC Division of Public Health works to promote and contribute to the highest possible level of health for the people of North Carolina. Our entire statewide system of public health has dedicated professionals who carry out our mission every day through a wide range of essential and activities touching the lives of everyone in our state.

About the Communicable Disease Branch:
The Communicable Disease Branch strives to protect and improve the health of people in North Carolina through disease detection, tracking, investigation, control, education, prevention and care activities to reduce morbidity and mortality resulting from communicable diseases that are a significant threat to the public. The Communicable Disease Branch works with the public, local health departments and other public health agencies, healthcare professionals, educators, businesses, communities and healthcare facilities to ensure that North Carolina is prepared to respond to any communicable disease situation that affects the people who live, work and visit here.

Compensation and Benefits: 

The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees. Visit the website for State Benefits. 

Supplemental Contact Information: 

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer that embraces an Employment First philosophy, which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws, and Executive Orders.  We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job.  For more information about DHHS:  https://www.ncdhhs.gov/. 

DHHS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals.  Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position. 

In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order 303, our agency supports second-chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated or justice-involved.  We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for which they may be qualified. 

               

Application Process 

Be sure to complete the application in its entirety.   Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application. 

• Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information. 

• Answers to Supplemental Questions are not a substitute for providing all relevant information within the body of your application. To receive credit for the supplemental questions, you must provide supporting information within the "Work Experience" section of the application to support your answers. 

• If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the closing date will be accepted.  Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM on the closing date. 

• Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check. All candidates selected for positions considered "Positions of Trust" will be subject to a criminal background check. 

• Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account.  Upon the closing date, applications are "Under Review" and will be screened by Human Resources for qualified applicants. The hiring process may take several weeks. 

• Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.  Transcripts and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application. The State of North Carolina/Office of State Human Resources uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent. 

• For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at https://www.naces.org/members. 

Degree/College Credit Verification 

Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts, degree evaluations, and cover letters may be uploaded with your application. 

Veterans’ and National Guard Preference 

• Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications. 

• Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application, if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing.  

• Applicants who are former members of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application. 

ADA Accommodations 

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DHHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, DHHS will ensure that people with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided with reasonable accommodation.  If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below. 

CONTACT INFORMATION  

If there are any questions about this posting, please contact Talent Acquisition at talentacquisition@dhhs.nc.gov. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application. 

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Master's degree in Epidemiology or closely related health field from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of related experience

OR

An equivalent combination of education and experience.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

Recruiter:

Tresha Walker

Email:

talentacquisition@dhhs.nc.gov