Department Information

We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.

Although the full salary range for this position is provided, appointments are typically made at or near the range minimum.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This is a TERM-LIMITED position and funding cannot be guaranteed beyond July 31, 2024. The incumbent in this position must be willing and able to resign on this date or when funds run out, whichever comes first.

Be BOLD.....Make a REAL difference . . . and join us in serving our communities advancing Colorado's health and protecting the places we live, work, learn, and play, to create a healthy and sustainable Colorado where current and future generations thrive.

Our mission… is to advance Colorado's health and protect the places we live, work, learn, and play.
Our vision… is to create a healthy and sustainable Colorado where current and future generations thrive.

In addition to free parking, access to RTD bus lines, Cherry Creek bike path and flexible working arrangements, click the link below to review additional benefits and perks!!! https://cdphe.colorado.gov/careers

Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to: https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/pslfFlow.action#!/pslf/launch

We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.

The referral list generated by this position announcement may be used to fill multiple position vacancies and may be extended.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (DCPHE) serves Coloradans by providing high-quality, cost-effective public health and environmental protection services that promote healthy people in healthy places. Staff members focus on evidence-based best practices in the public health and environmental fields and play a critical role in educating people in Colorado so they can make informed choices. In addition to maintaining and enhancing our core programs, the department continues to identify and respond to emerging issues affecting Colorado's public and environmental health.

Description of Job

The Communicable Disease Branch purpose is to monitor, investigate, and control epidemic and communicable diseases affecting the public health in Colorado, required under Colorado statute, including enteric diseases, invasive bacterial diseases, respiratory diseases, vaccine preventable diseases, zoonotic diseases, healthcare associated infections, foodborne and waterborne diseases.
This position exists to conduct active surveillance for viral respiratory diseases, with a focus on RSV, Influenza, and COVID-19; to investigate cases of communicable diseases and medical conditions of public health importance; to analyze and summarize surveillance data; to write reports; to respond to outbreaks of respiratory disease, to provide information to health care providers and the public on communicable diseases; and to conduct special studies.

Responsibilities of the position include but not limited to:
Surveillance and Special Studies

• Participates in active surveillance for the Colorado Emerging Infections Program (EIP) Viral Respiratory Hospitalization Network (RESP-NET) Program by assuring that in-depth medical record reviews are complete and timely.
• Contribute to the maintenance of databases to track reported cases and completion of record reviews; and assuring the data are reported into a central database.
• Has responsibility for maintenance of databases by designing new queries and reports.
• Creating new tables as appropriate; assuring existing table relationships are appropriate; and maintaining links to other databases.
• Develops EIP surveillance activities by participating in project, program and interdivisional meetings.
• Participating in workgroups and conference calls with other states and federal agencies; and implements new aspects of the activity.
• Participates in the design, conduct and coordination of EIP special studies by participating in multistate workgroups to develop study questionnaires.
• Administering telephone questionnaires to study cases and/or controls; coordinating data collection from participating local health departments; performing data entry or making data available for entry by support staff, and coordinating study conduct and data submission with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Data Analysis & Reports

• Analyzes and summarizes surveillance data and data from special studies.
• Summarizes and disseminates surveillance data through “Hot Topics” web page, other departmental reports, oral presentations, and publication in public health literature, as appropriate.

Outbreak Investigation and Response

• Leads and participates in investigations of clusters or outbreaks of infections related to respiratory disease and invasive bacterial disease (eg, RSV, influenza) by obtaining lab results, medical records information, and healthcare facility information to confirm the infection and the source of the infection.
• Analyzes outbreak data using specialized software including Excel, Access and statistical packages.
• Summarizes and disseminates outbreak data through reports, oral presentations, and publication in public health journals, as appropriate.

Consultation on Public Health

• On assigned days, this position participates in the routine epi-call schedule by answering e-mail questions and telephone calls from health care providers, patients, and the public on a variety of communicable diseases issues that may not be directly related to vaccine preventable diseases but are of public health concern.
• Duties include providing consultation on diagnosis, recommending laboratory testing, treatment, prophylaxis, control measures, and prevention strategies; and triaging complex calls to the attention of the subject matter expert.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Minimum Qualifications:
NOTE: To be considered for this position, your application must clearly demonstrate that you meet one of the following options needed for consideration:

Option 1: Education and Experience
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Biology, Chemistry, Epidemiology, Public Health, or a field of study closely related to the work assignment.
AND
Two (2) years of professional experience in Communicable Disease Control, Communicable Disease Surveillance, and Communicable Disease Epidemiology, or other closely related experience aligned to the work assigned to the position.

OR:

Option 2: Experience ONLY
Six (6) years of professional experience in Communicable Disease Control, Communicable Disease Surveillance, and Communicable Disease Epidemiology, or other closely related experience aligned to the work assigned to the position.

OR:

Option 3: Education ONLY
Master's degree from an accredited institution in Biology, Chemistry, Epidemiology, Public Health, or a field of study closely related to the work assignment.

**This experience must be substantiated within the Work Experience section of your application. "See Resume" will not be accepted. In addition, part-time work will be prorated.**
**A copy of your transcript must be submitted at the time of application (Unofficial transcripts are acceptable).**

Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the minimum requirements, the successful candidate in this position will have the following highly desirable experience and competencies:

• 
  Relevant experience with the State of Colorado.
• Master's Degree in Public Health.
• Experience in Communicable Disease Surveillance and Outbreak Response.
• Data analysis skills and experience using statistical software (e.g. SAS) and databases.
• Specialized experience in working with Respiratory Disease Epidemiology, including Influenza and RSV.
• Excellent written communication skills.

Conditions of Employment:

• Pursuant to CDPHE policy, a background check is required for all positions at CDPHE.
• This is a term-limited position. Funding cannot be guaranteed beyond 07/31/2024. The incumbent in this position must be willing and able to resign on this date or when funds run out, whichever comes first.
• This position requires occasional travel, to attend CDC Influenza/RSV meetings and possibly other conferences, within the State of Colorado with occasional overnight stays.
• Critical Status: Must be available in the event of an emergency, (e.g., bio-terrorist attack, chemical attack, disease outbreak or all hazards) and be required to report to work immediately at the regular or alternate location. During this time, travel restrictions may be in place.
• Critical Status: Must be available in the event of the activation of the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) and be required to report to work immediately at the regular or alternate location. During this time, travel restrictions may be in place.

Appeal Rights:
If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.

An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email (dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us), postmarked in US Mail or hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department’s action.

For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board; go to spb.colorado.gov; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at (303) 866-3300; or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.

Supplemental Information

A complete application packet must include:

• 
  A completed State of Colorado application.
• A cover letter that describes how your experience aligns with the minimum and preferred qualifications of this position. (resume optional)
• If using education to qualify, a copy of your college/university transcripts. Transcripts must be attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application.
• If you are a veteran, a copy of your DD214 attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application.

The Selection Process:

• All applications that are received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications proceed to the next step.
• Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process.

• Part of, or all of, the comparative analysis for this position may be a structured application review, which involves a review of the information you submit in your application materials by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) against the preferred qualifications.

• A top group, up to six candidates, will be invited to schedule an interview with the hiring manager.

E-Verify: CDPHE uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

You must be legally eligible to work in the United States to be appointed to this position. CDPHE does not sponsor non-residents of the United States.

ADAAA Accommodations:
The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, Dan McKenna, at daniel.mckenna@state.co.us or call 303-692-2060, option 5.