Communicable Disease Epidemiologist

This employment opportunity will remain open until filled. The Thurston County Public Health and Social Services Department reserves the right to close the recruitment at any time. To ensure consideration for this position, please submit your application as soon as possible.

Thurston County Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) is recruiting for a Communicable Disease Epidemiologist for the Disease Control and Prevention Division to ensure compliance with government standards and regulations regarding disease control.

As an important part of the team, this position will conduct contact tracing and case investigation for diseases of public health importance. The outcome includes providing information, guidance, and recommendations to individuals for decreasing the spread of diseases. This role will participate in the design and management of surveillance systems for diseases, including continuous ongoing surveillance and specialized short-term surveillance.

Epidemiological investigations conducted will identify causative agents or conditions resulting in adverse health conditions. Then corrective actions will be proposed or initiated. This includes the compilation, maintenance, and analysis of health data and reports as well as providing public health information and consultative services to primary medical care providers, child care providers, and the general public.

This position reports to a Senior Epidemiologist.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Bilingual communication skills in English/Spanish or English/Vietnamese
• Knowledge of epidemiological principles and practices, microbiology and pathophysiology
• Possess the technical skill to ensure the quality and accuracy of data
• Experience completing statistical analysis
• Knowledge of public health practices, communicable diseases, and disease control
• Ability to interpret and communicate laws, rules and regulations as they apply to the problems of disease control
• Ability to perform research procedures including biostatistical methodology
• An understanding of patient confidentiality, including the ability to conduct interviews without violating confidentiality
• Excellent and sensitive interpersonal, cultural sensitivity, and interviewing skills that support building and maintaining trust with interviewees.

Perform other work as required or assigned including but not limited to a 24/7 response during public health emergency situations and disease outbreak investigations. Work will be performed largely in an office environment.

• Work-Life Balance
  :
  We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individual’s lifestyle.
• Plan For Your Future
  :
  As a member of our team, you will enjoy great employee benefits, including a retirement plan, pre-tax savings accounts, as well as comprehensive health care and dental/vision care for you and your family. Please visit our
  2023 Thurston County Employee Benefit Plans
  website for more information.
• Paid Leave
  :
  Full-time regular employees earn a minimum of 12 paid vacation days per year in addition to 11 paid holidays.
• Robust Training Program: Employees are encouraged to attend County paid training to help them further their career, learn new skill sets, and stay on top of emerging trends in our industry. We also encourage our staff to participate in professional organizations and attend conferences.
• Flexible Work Schedules: Some of the options employees may take advantage of include alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working.
• Deferred Compensation
  :
  The County offers 3 voluntary deferred compensation plans for employees who would like to set aside additional deferred tax dollars into a retirement savings plan.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA):
  Employees can take advantage of Section 125 flexible spending accounts for out-of-pocket health care and daycare expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness
  :
  This is a federal program which allows full-time public service employees who have made 120 qualifying payments for certain loans, to get their student loans repaid.