STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
HUMAN RESOURCES
CLASSIFICATION: ASSISTANT STATE EPIDEMIOLOGIST
Class Code: 0543-23
Date Established: 01-28-82
Occupational Code: 7-4-3
Date of Last Revision: 12-28-01
BASIC PURPOSE: To plan and design disease surveillance
activities and to investigate disease outbreaks to obtain research findings
regarding the causes of disease.
CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
·
Plans and conducts
epidemiologic research studies or surveys to identify and report the causes of
chronic disease.
·
Investigates and
reviews information regarding chronic diseases to determine whether clusters of
illness may represent a public health problem.
·
Responds to requests
from private citizens, health care providers, or school personnel by
investigating problems and recommending control measures for chronic diseases.
·
Initiates
epidemiological investigations or surveys and presents relevant public health
information.
·
Researches
epidemiological data and assists with editing the New Hampshire Communicable
Disease Report.
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DISTINGUISHING FACTORS:
Skill: Requires skill in developing formats
and procedures for special applications OR in investigating and reviewing the
use of equipment and data for a specialized function.
Knowledge: Requires logical or scientific
expertise to resolve problems of a specialized or professional nature in a wide
range of applications.
Impact: Requires responsibility for achieving
direct service objectives by assessing agency service needs and making
preliminary recommendations for the development of alternative short-term
program policies or procedures.
Errors at this level result in incomplete assessments or misleading
recommendations causing a disruption of agency programs or policies.
Supervision: Requires direct supervision of other
employees doing related or similar work, including scheduling work,
recommending leave, reviewing work for accuracy, performance appraisal, or
interviewing applicants for position vacancies.
Working Conditions: Requires performing regular job
functions in a controlled environment with minimal exposure to disagreeable job
elements and little risk of hazard to physical or mental health.
Physical Demands: Requires light work, including
continuous walking or operating simple equipment for extended periods of time
as well as occasional strenuous activities such as reaching or bending.
Communication: Requires summarizing data, preparing
reports and making recommendations based on findings which contribute to
solving problems and achieving work objectives. This level also requires presenting information for use by
administrative-level managers in making decisions.
Complexity: Requires evaluating a combination of
wide-ranging job functions to determine work procedures, to solve problems, and
to reach conclusions by applying analytical, technical, or scientific thinking. This level also requires planning
policies and long-term strategies, drawing conclusions based on available
criteria, and evaluating the effectiveness of program objectives.
Independent Action: Requires objective assessment in
analyzing and developing new work methods and procedures subject to periodic
review and in making decisions according to established technical, professional
or administrative standards.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: Master's degree from a recognized
college or university with major study in epidemiology, public health,
chemistry, or laboratory science.
Additional years of formal education may not be substituted for the work
experience required by this class specification.
Experience: Two years' experience in the field of
public health, laboratory science or other health related investigational
work. Each additional year of
approved work experience may be substituted for one year of required formal
education at the graduate level only.
License/Certification: Eligibility for New Hampshire Driver's
License.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
For appointment
consideration, Assistant State Epidemiologist requires that applicants
successfully participate in a structured interview measuring possession of
knowledges, skills and abilities identified as necessary for satisfactory job
performance by this class specification.
The structured interview is developed and administered, according to
Division of Personnel guidelines, by representatives of the state agency in
which the vacancy exists.
RECOMMENDED WORK TRAITS: Thorough knowledge of the principles
and methods used in public health investigation work. Knowledge of the causes of communicable disease, how they
are spread and their control.
Knowledge of interviewing techniques used in disease control. Knowledge
of public health laws, rules and regulations as they apply to communicable
disease problems. Knowledge of the
relationship between environmental exposures and public health problems. Ability to organize work, analyze
problems and develop solutions.
Ability to perform statistical research and draw valid conclusions. Ability to establish and maintain
effective working relationships with professional and medical personnel and
with the public. Must be willing
to maintain appearance appropriate to assigned duties and responsibilities as
determined by the agency appointing authority.
DISCLAIMER STATEMENT: This class specification is descriptive
of general duties and is not intended to list every specific function of this
class title.
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