Connecticut
Food Protection Program, Epidemiologist 3 (Epidemiologist 3 (Toxic Hazards) (35
Connecticut, Hartford, Connecticut, us, 06112
Introduction
The State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health is hiring! The State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health (DPH) is seeking an enthusiastic and driven individual to join our team as an Epidemiologist 3. This role will support our Environmental Health and Drinking Water Branch's Environmental Health Section Food Protection Program (FPP), which works to reduce the risk of foodborne disease by ensuring reasonable protection from contaminated food and improving the sanitary condition of food establishments. Find out more information on this great opportunity below!
POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:
Program:
Food Protection Program Location:
Hartford, CT Work Schedule:
Full-time, first shift, 35 hours per week Please note: This position will have an opportunity to telework a portion of each week in accordance with State policies. A flex schedule may be permitted following the successful completion of a working test period. WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU:
Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page! The opportunity to work for a Forbes top company: 'Forbes' State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule. Professional growth and development opportunities. A healthy work/life balance to all employees. WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING:
Assisting in promulgating new and updating existing regulations. Developing and providing training and education to local food inspectors to include comprehensive field standardizations. Reviewing training and certification materials for local food inspectors. Serving as technical advisor to local health officials, industry, other government agencies, media, and the public on a wide range of food safety issues including inspections and enforcement. Investigating and/or assisting local health departments in investigating foodborne disease outbreaks and ensuring that adequate controls are implemented to reduce the risk of additional illness. Coordinating with the DPH Epidemiology Program and Laboratory to ensure that timely and adequate environmental investigations are conducted during foodborne outbreaks. Collaborating with stakeholders such as the CDC, FDA, and other State of Connecticut agencies to respond to foodborne illness, injury, or suspected intentional contamination cases. Working alongside other Connecticut State agencies and FDA to issue recall notifications to local partners and the media. Reviewing and approving special food-related processes and variances. Developing and implementing training labeling training for local health partners and stakeholders. MORE ABOUT THE AGENCY AND FACILITIES:
The Mission of the Department of Public Health (DPH) is to protect and improve the health and safety of the people of Connecticut by: Assuring the conditions in which people can be healthy; Preventing disease, injury, and disability; Promoting the equal enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health, which is a human right and a priority of the state. DPH accomplishes this through the implementation of its Strategic Plan which outlines the actions that DPH is taking to accomplish its Mission. The Food Protection Program's overall mission is to reduce the risk of foodborne disease by ensuring reasonable protection from contaminated food and improving the sanitary condition of food establishments. This is accomplished by enforcement of regulations, training and education, technical consultation, special investigations, and food safety promotion. SELECTION PLAN
FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING: Please read or watch our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Please Note: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other. TO APPLY
The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting. In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified. PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
In the Department of Public Health Toxic Hazards Program of the Preventable Diseases Division, this class is accountable for performing the most complex tasks as a specialist investigating and assessing the health risks of toxic hazards in the environment and preparing quantitative and qualitative risk assessments. EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
Supervises and is responsible for routine epidemiologic investigations. Assumes lead responsibility for carrying out complex or non-routine investigations. Develops and implements strategies for containment and control measures among identified high-risk groups. Writes outbreak investigation and other technical and analytical reports. Collaborates in writing standard protocols for disease investigation, intervention, and control. Develops questionnaires and other research instruments. Analyzes surveillance and outbreak data for trends and risk factors. Designs and implements workshops and training sessions and conducts in-service training. Prepares news releases relative to disease problems. Uses other statewide data banks to complement disease surveillance data. Assists with preparation of budgets, grants, and contracts. Participates in development of program goals and objectives. Represents department at functions for health promotion and disease prevention. Speaks before professional and lay groups. Participates in performance evaluations of assigned staff. Carries out related duties including those of Epidemiologist 1 and 2 levels as assigned. May establish and maintain a working network with federal and state agencies, local health departments, hospitals, and professional and lay groups to promote and facilitate disease surveillance, intervention, and control. KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY
Considerable knowledge of occupational/environmental epidemiology and/or toxicology; relevant disease processes which affect humans and animals; epidemiological methods; Considerable interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; statistical skills including familiarity with mainframe and/or personal computer applications and interpretation of data; Considerable ability to perform complex epidemiological investigations; carry out all aspects of data collection, analysis, and interpretation of epidemiological data independently; Supervisory ability. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE
Eight (8) years of experience conducting epidemiological investigations in a responsible technical or professional capacity. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE
Two (2) years of the General Experience must have involved the full range of tasks in designing and conducting epidemiologic occupational/environmental investigations including interviewing and performing trend analyses at the level of an Epidemiologist 2. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED
College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree. A Master's degree in bacteriology, biochemistry, biostatistics, environmental science, health physics, industrial hygiene, physiology, public health, or toxicology may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience. A Doctorate in a related discipline such as medicine, public health, or a behavioral or natural science may be substituted for one additional year of the General Experience. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
CT Food Inspector certification OR equivalent regulatory experience conducting risk-based inspections at retail food establishments. Experience conducting foodborne outbreak investigations, including interviewing, sampling, utilizing the CDC National Environmental Assessment Reporting System, and assessing control measures. Experience managing competing priorities while working with food safety partners on foodborne outbreak investigations and other food safety matters. Experience developing training and presenting to diverse audiences. Experience developing guidance and providing technical assistance to local health officials and industry on regulatory food safety issues. Experience reviewing HACCP Plans related to special processes and variances. Experience developing written standard operating procedures related to a regulatory food protection program. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Incumbents in this class must be willing to be immunized for communicable diseases as necessary and appropriate. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel. Conclusion
AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.
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Program:
Food Protection Program Location:
Hartford, CT Work Schedule:
Full-time, first shift, 35 hours per week Please note: This position will have an opportunity to telework a portion of each week in accordance with State policies. A flex schedule may be permitted following the successful completion of a working test period. WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU:
Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page! The opportunity to work for a Forbes top company: 'Forbes' State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule. Professional growth and development opportunities. A healthy work/life balance to all employees. WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING:
Assisting in promulgating new and updating existing regulations. Developing and providing training and education to local food inspectors to include comprehensive field standardizations. Reviewing training and certification materials for local food inspectors. Serving as technical advisor to local health officials, industry, other government agencies, media, and the public on a wide range of food safety issues including inspections and enforcement. Investigating and/or assisting local health departments in investigating foodborne disease outbreaks and ensuring that adequate controls are implemented to reduce the risk of additional illness. Coordinating with the DPH Epidemiology Program and Laboratory to ensure that timely and adequate environmental investigations are conducted during foodborne outbreaks. Collaborating with stakeholders such as the CDC, FDA, and other State of Connecticut agencies to respond to foodborne illness, injury, or suspected intentional contamination cases. Working alongside other Connecticut State agencies and FDA to issue recall notifications to local partners and the media. Reviewing and approving special food-related processes and variances. Developing and implementing training labeling training for local health partners and stakeholders. MORE ABOUT THE AGENCY AND FACILITIES:
The Mission of the Department of Public Health (DPH) is to protect and improve the health and safety of the people of Connecticut by: Assuring the conditions in which people can be healthy; Preventing disease, injury, and disability; Promoting the equal enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health, which is a human right and a priority of the state. DPH accomplishes this through the implementation of its Strategic Plan which outlines the actions that DPH is taking to accomplish its Mission. The Food Protection Program's overall mission is to reduce the risk of foodborne disease by ensuring reasonable protection from contaminated food and improving the sanitary condition of food establishments. This is accomplished by enforcement of regulations, training and education, technical consultation, special investigations, and food safety promotion. SELECTION PLAN
FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING: Please read or watch our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Please Note: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other. TO APPLY
The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting. In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified. PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
In the Department of Public Health Toxic Hazards Program of the Preventable Diseases Division, this class is accountable for performing the most complex tasks as a specialist investigating and assessing the health risks of toxic hazards in the environment and preparing quantitative and qualitative risk assessments. EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
Supervises and is responsible for routine epidemiologic investigations. Assumes lead responsibility for carrying out complex or non-routine investigations. Develops and implements strategies for containment and control measures among identified high-risk groups. Writes outbreak investigation and other technical and analytical reports. Collaborates in writing standard protocols for disease investigation, intervention, and control. Develops questionnaires and other research instruments. Analyzes surveillance and outbreak data for trends and risk factors. Designs and implements workshops and training sessions and conducts in-service training. Prepares news releases relative to disease problems. Uses other statewide data banks to complement disease surveillance data. Assists with preparation of budgets, grants, and contracts. Participates in development of program goals and objectives. Represents department at functions for health promotion and disease prevention. Speaks before professional and lay groups. Participates in performance evaluations of assigned staff. Carries out related duties including those of Epidemiologist 1 and 2 levels as assigned. May establish and maintain a working network with federal and state agencies, local health departments, hospitals, and professional and lay groups to promote and facilitate disease surveillance, intervention, and control. KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY
Considerable knowledge of occupational/environmental epidemiology and/or toxicology; relevant disease processes which affect humans and animals; epidemiological methods; Considerable interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; statistical skills including familiarity with mainframe and/or personal computer applications and interpretation of data; Considerable ability to perform complex epidemiological investigations; carry out all aspects of data collection, analysis, and interpretation of epidemiological data independently; Supervisory ability. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE
Eight (8) years of experience conducting epidemiological investigations in a responsible technical or professional capacity. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE
Two (2) years of the General Experience must have involved the full range of tasks in designing and conducting epidemiologic occupational/environmental investigations including interviewing and performing trend analyses at the level of an Epidemiologist 2. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED
College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree. A Master's degree in bacteriology, biochemistry, biostatistics, environmental science, health physics, industrial hygiene, physiology, public health, or toxicology may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience. A Doctorate in a related discipline such as medicine, public health, or a behavioral or natural science may be substituted for one additional year of the General Experience. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
CT Food Inspector certification OR equivalent regulatory experience conducting risk-based inspections at retail food establishments. Experience conducting foodborne outbreak investigations, including interviewing, sampling, utilizing the CDC National Environmental Assessment Reporting System, and assessing control measures. Experience managing competing priorities while working with food safety partners on foodborne outbreak investigations and other food safety matters. Experience developing training and presenting to diverse audiences. Experience developing guidance and providing technical assistance to local health officials and industry on regulatory food safety issues. Experience reviewing HACCP Plans related to special processes and variances. Experience developing written standard operating procedures related to a regulatory food protection program. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Incumbents in this class must be willing to be immunized for communicable diseases as necessary and appropriate. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel. Conclusion
AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.
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