Wastewater Epidemiologist Team Lead

Position Description

If you’re looking to be a part of a collaborative environment where your skills can make an impact, explore our current opportunities in creating a better future for public health.

About Harris County Public Health:

Harris County Public Health (HCPH) includes a network of more than 1,100 public health professionals working together to improve health outcomes for the third most populous county in the United States. HCPH provides a multitude of services such as medical and dental services, community programming, and health education for the approximately 2.3 million people in unincorporated Harris County. Through its core values of innovation, engagement, and health equity, HCPH strives to bring meaningful solutions to public health issues while keeping Harris County healthy and vibrant.

This is a grant-funded position.

Position Overview:

Under the supervision of the Infectious Disease Epidemiology Senior Manager, the Wastewater Epidemiologist Team Lead will be analyzing surveillance data, identifying disease trends, and translating findings into actionable insights for policymakers, public health leaders, and community partners. The role also includes developing and implementing study protocols, advancing analytic methods, and ensuring alignment with broader public health surveillance systems. The Lead applies principles of Epidemiology to disease control activities and service issues related to notifiable condition surveillance and public health emergencies within the jurisdiction of HCPH, including conditions related to potential bioterrorism, chemical and radiological agents, and natural disasters.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provide communication and updates to partners and DSHS. Draft, review, and manage interlocal agreements specific to HC CAO guidelines. Maintain organized records of all contracts and manage modifications and amendments to meet regulatory changes and client specific revisions, act as a liaison between HCPH and stakeholders to ensure they understand the contracts. Provide guidance pertaining to surveillance and epidemiological activities to the wastewater team.
• Assists with the development of special projects and tracking of progress as it related to the wastewater surveillance program. Ensure steady progress toward meeting deliverable deadlines; identify challenges, unmet needs and work collaboratively with the Sr. Manager and Field Supervisor to develop solutions to advance the goals of the project.
• Review/monitor all data received, conduct analysis, management, interpretation and use information to develop and implement operational plans with direction from the Sr. Manager. Assist in the development and maintenance of the HCPH wastewater dashboard.
• Produce or contribute to special reports.
• Provide support for development of standard operating guides and workflows.
• Maintain a process for evaluation and improvement of projects.
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  
  

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx

If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net

This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Requirements

Education:

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Public Health disciplines such as Epidemiology, biomedical sciences, statistics, or related science degree; and valid Driver’s License (Texas upon hire) along with a good driving record for regular local travel when needed to attend other local health departments or State, Regional Health department meetings and trainings.
  
  
  

Experience:

• At least two (2) years of experience working in a public health-related area, such as local health department disease investigation, college or university public health project, clinical or public health laboratory, disease surveillance, or statistical project. At least one year experience supervising or leading others.
  
  
  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Advanced knowledge of epidemiology, biostatistics, and public health surveillance methods.
• Proficiency in epidemiology software and data management systems (e.g., Power Bi, ArcGIS, R, SAS, Phyton, SPSS, STATA or Epidemiology information).
• Understanding of infectious disease transmission, outbreak investigation, and public health informatics.
• Strong analytical, technical writing, and scientific communication skills.
• Ability to present complex findings to policymakers, public health officials, and community partners.
• Exceptional organizational, leadership, and project management skills.
• Ability to write reports and technical papers.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
  
  
  

Core Competencies:

Organizational Leadership

• Understands the organizational mission.
• Understands ethics and public good; is concerned with public trust.
• Demonstrates respect for the opinions and beliefs of others.
  
  
  

Collaboration

• Contributes to an inclusive workplace where equity, diversity, inclusion, and individual differences are valued and leveraged to achieve the vision and mission.
• Demonstrates a sense of responsibility for the success of the group.
• Collaborates with others to improve quality and address needs.
  
  
  

Innovation:

• Ability to adapt to change
  
  
  

Interpersonal Abilities/Personal Characteristics :

• Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect.
• Behaves in an honest, fair, and ethical manner and models high standards.
• Assesses and recognizes own strengths and weaknesses.
• Uses sound judgment.
• Self-motivated.
• Organizes and maintains work environment to allow for maximum productivity.
  
  
  

Communication :

• Communicates clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
  
  
  

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

Preferences

Experience:

• Experience in program planning, evaluation, or interagency coordination.
  
  
  

General Information

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

• This is a full-time | grant-funded position.
• Days and hours of work are typically Monday through Friday, from 8am to 5 pm.
• Other days and hours as necessary.
• Telework option available after 90 days of consecutive employment.
  
  
  

Work Environment:

• Professional office environment with routine use of computers, phones, and standard office equipment. Occasional travel to field sites, laboratories, or board/community meetings within Harris County.
  
  
  

Physical Demands:

• Primarily sedentary, with occasional lifting (up to 50 lbs.) and extended periods of standing or presenting.
  
  
  

Work Location:

• Harris County Public Health: Office of Epidemiology, Surveillance & Emerging Diseases - 1111 Fannin St. Houston, Texas. 77002.
  
  
  

Employment is contingent upon passing a background check and drug screen.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.