Position Title:     State Epidemiologist
State Classification/Title/Salary Group:    1622 / Director IV / B29
Monthly Salary:    $7,699.16 - $9,333/ month plus state benefits
Position Location:    Central Office, 2105 Kramer Lane, Austin, Texas 78758
Job Requisition #: 00017379             FLSA Status: Exempt

Veterans, Reservist or Guardsmen with an MOS or additional duties that fall in the fields of 68T – Animal Care Specialist, 64A -Field Veterinary Service, 64C – Veterinary Laboratory Animal Medicine, 64D – Veterinary Pathology, 64F – Veterinary Clinical Medicine, 00B – General Officer, 641X – LDO Administration, 01 – General Command and Staff, 800. – General Officer, 90G0 – General Officer or other related fields pertaining to the minimum experience requirements may meet the minimum qualifications for this position and are highly encouraged to apply. Additional Military Crosswalk information can be accessed at: http://www.hr.sao.state.tx.us/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_ProgramManagement.pdf

General Description:
The State Epidemiologist reports to the Executive Director and is responsible for the overall administration of the agency’s epidemiology functions, including advising on trends in disease control and eradication efforts; monitoring surveillance methods; oversight and participation in epidemiological investigations; classification procedures; and, general epidemiological support for field personnel. The State Epidemiologist will travel as needed, and will occasionally be required to work more than the standard 40-hour workweek, with some work hours and days outside the standard Monday through Friday schedule (the additional time is compensated on an hour-for-hour basis, up to 160 hours maximum accrual, in compensatory time).

Essential Job Functions:
• Administers the operation of the agency’s epidemiological support program, providing consultation and related services in collaboration with the field epidemiologists, veterinarians and animal health inspectors conducting animal health program activities throughout the state.
• Supervises and manages the work performance of field epidemiologists
• Coordinates the agency’s epidemiological activities with the USDA support epidemiologists across the state.
• Assists agency personnel in developing and achieving surveillance, herd management, educational, and diagnostic evaluation objectives.
• Makes recommendations on diagnostic methods, procedures and techniques.
• Generates epidemiological and statistical reports on specific diseases, using contemporary statistical methods and software.
• Coordinates and participates in projects and initiatives involving cooperating state and federal agencies as well as state, regional and national regulatory, producer and industry interest groups.
• Provides input and recommendations to agency staff, commissioners, and industry leadership on emerging and re-emerging livestock disease issues, including recommendations regarding implementation and operations of control and eradication methods.
• Participates in strategic planning and budgeting processes, and provides performance and project reports.
• Creates and delivers education and training on disease control and eradication programs to practitioners, industry groups, animal health organizations, and other related entities.
• Receives, reviews and acts on requests to conduct field trials, or to distribute and use veterinary biologics within the state.
• Participates in local, regional, national and international animal health and industry meetings, conferences and symposia as assigned or requested.
• Performs special projects and other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from an accredited college or university required;
• Texas veterinary license required.
• Advanced degree in epidemiology or specific training in epidemiology through the USDA or other TAHC-approved sources preferred.
• Experience in state or federal animal health programs preferred.

Note: This position will be required to attain Designated Epidemiologist status in a variety of state/federal programs such as Brucellosis, Tuberculosis, Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies, etc. if these designations are available.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:  Knowledge of research methods, principles, techniques and philosophy of disease management; of statistical concepts, methods, and their application to research analysis; of measurement and evaluation; and, of principles and methods of epidemiology and biostatistics related to infectious diseases; Must have proven skills in supervising staff and in management of program work and special projects; Must have strong skills in oral and written communication, including the ability to create and present technical information in an understandable manner to individuals at all levels of knowledge and experience in the field of animal agriculture and regulatory veterinary medicine; Must have skills in the use of personal computer software for various reporting and analysis responsibilities and electronic communication; Ability to demonstrate leadership and to function as an effective team member; must be able to establish and maintain productive working relationships with staff and others, and to represent the agency with professionalism; Must be able to be “on call” and to change established work hours and days, sometimes on short notice, in order to meet workload requirements.

Other: Up to 20% travel required, some overnight.

The TAHC is an emergency response agency. The State Epidemiologist position plays a key role in the agency’s emergency management activities. As a first responder, this position is subject to participate in rotating temporary duty assignments away from the regular designated headquarters for up to two weeks at a time. This duty may involve working in adverse conditions; may require irregular working hours and overtime; and, may include duties other than those specified in the standard position description.

Other:
Must have a valid Texas driver’s license and safe driving record.
Applicants may be subject to a driving record and criminal background check. Employment of selected candidate is contingent upon the receipt of an acceptable criminal background check and an acceptable moving violation record from the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Note: Must have reliable transportation. Mileage reimbursed at current allowance rate.

The Texas Animal Health Commission is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation or disability in employment or in the provision of services. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, any requests for reasonable accommodation needed during the application process should be communicated by the applicant to our Human Resources Department (512) 719-0700. For a telecommunications relay service for the hearing impaired, please dial 711. At time of hire, selected applicants must show proof of eligibility to work in the U.S. in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act. Proof of eligibility to work in the U.S. will be confirmed using E-Verify. All males who are age 18 through 25 and required to register with the Selective Service must present proof of registration or exemption from registration upon hire.
An Equal Opportunity Employer