Epidemiologist (217261)
Job Title: Epidemiologist
Job ID: 217261
Location: Shawnee County
Job Posting Closes: July 13, 2025
Kansas Department of Health and Environment:
Our agency is led by Secretary Janet Stanek, who was appointed by Gov. Kelly in Dec 2021. KDHE is comprised of three divisions: Public Health, Environment, and Health Care Finance (which includes the State’s Medicaid program, KanCare). We are the only agency in the nation to have these three entities under onea roof which allows us to take a holistic approach to improving and protecting the health and well-being of all Kansans.
Verification of identity and employment eligibility to work in the United States is required by federal law. For a list of acceptable documents that establish these criteria, please refer to the federal Form I-9. KDHE does not provide sponsorships for this position.
E-Verify: Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For additional information regarding E-Verify, please click here. For additional information regarding Immigrant and Employee Rights (IER) please click here.
About the Position
- Who can apply: Anyone (External)
- Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified
- Full-Time/Part-Time: Part-Time
- Regular/Temporary: Temporary
- Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm (Flexible schedules available)
- Eligible to Receive Benefits: No
- Veterans' Preference Eligible: Yes
- Sponsorship: KDHE does not provide sponsorship for this position.
Compensation:
- Hourly Pay Range: $27.51 - $31.04
* Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.
Employment Benefits
- Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage
- Sick & Vacation leave
- Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave
- Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)
- Fitness Centers in select locations
- Employee discounts with the STAR Program
- Retirement and deferred compensation programs
Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information…
Position Summary & Responsibilities
The position (K0246789)
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has an Epidemiologist opening in Topeka. This position is temporary, lasting from July to December of 2025. The incumbent in this role will coordinate the response and detection for healthcare-associated infections (HAI) and Antimicrobial Resistance (AR) infections.
Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:
Conduct public health case investigations of targeted MDROs and provide healthcare facilities and local health departments with technical assistance and consultation on HAI and AR cases, any related outbreaks, or any infection control breaches within healthcare facilities. Conducts infection prevention and control (IPC) assessments, via onsite and remote/video conferencing, and creates follow-up assessments to ensure prevention measures are implemented successfully to stop the transmission of HAI and/or AR pathogens. Coordinates with healthcare facilities, the Laboratory/Epidemiology Coordinator, the Kansas Health and Environmental Laboratories, and Antibiotic Resistance Laboratory Network for testing of clinical and environmental specimens to contain the spread of targeted infections. Assists with the development and implementation of special studies and projects, including process and outcome measures, to assess the burden of HAI and AR infections. Collaborates with internal and external partners such as regional/LHD to increase capacity for HAI/AR investigation and response. Assists healthcare facilities/providers with conducting patient notifications, if indicated, and coordinate patient testing, if indicated.
Enters and monitors data on reportable cases, outbreak related cases and cases related to infection control breach investigations in disease surveillance system. Utilize National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) to identify trends and suspected outbreaks of targeted HAI and AR organisms. Ensures completeness, accuracy, and timeliness of data collection. Develop and implement epidemiologic studies using healthcare-associated infections (HAI) and antimicrobial resistance (AR) data. Prepares reports of these studies in both written and oral formats for local health departments, internal and external partners.
Qualifications
Education:
- Master’s degree in public health or other master program related to public health and epidemiology.
Licensing & Certification:
- Valid Driver's License - Incumbent is required to have and maintain a valid driver's license when operating a state vehicle, a private vehicle, or a rental vehicle for the benefit of the State.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in public health or other master program related to public health and epidemiology.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Knowledge of infectious disease related concepts (e.g. incubation period or infectious period).
- Formal training with statistical analysis software (e.g. SAS).
- Experience or training in concepts for prevention and control of infectious diseases.
- Experience in coordinating with internal and external stakeholders on a response or project.
- Applied epidemiology experience in a public health agency.
- Ability to manipulate data sets and perform epidemiologic studies.
- Ability to communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing.
- Infection control certificate through the Certification Board of infection Control and Epidemiology.
- Proofreading, editing, attention to detail.
- Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access.
Post-Offer, Pre-employment Requirements:
- Current CBIC certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC) - if not current can recertify within 2 years of starting the position or certify for the first time within 5 years of starting the position.
Recruiter Contact Information
- Name: Ashley Webb
- Email: Ashley.Webb@ks.gov
- Mailing Address: 1000 SW Jackson St. Suite 580 Topeka, KS 66612
- Please include the Job ID number when emailing.
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Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and submit when it is complete.
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Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.
- Email – sent to the Preferred email on the My Contact Information page.
- Notifications – view the Careers> My Job Notifications page.
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