Working Title: Influenza Surveillance Supervisor

Job Class: Epidemiologist Supervisor

Agency: Health Department

• Job ID : 77766

• Location : St. Paul

• Telework Eligible : Yes

• Full/Part Time : Full-Time

• Regular/Temporary : Limited

• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers

• Date Posted : mm/dd/yyyy

• Closing Date : mm/dd/yyyy

• Hiring Agency : Health Department

• Division/Unit : Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention & Control Division / Vaccine Preventable Diseases Unit

• Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift / 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

• Days of Work : Monday - Friday

• Travel Required : Yes - Up to 25%

• Salary Range: $35.98 - $51.83 / hourly; $75,126 - $108,221 / annually

• Classified Status : Unclassified

• Bargaining Unit/Union : 216 - Middle Management Association/MMA

• End Date : 06/06/2025

• FLSA Status : Exempt - Executive

• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

This position exists to direct the work of the Influenza Surveillance Unit within the Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control (IDEPC) Division, Vaccine Preventable Disease Section. The incumbent will apply state-of-the-art technical expertise in epidemiologic methods and public health strategies to maintain and enhance statewide surveillance systems for influenza and other respiratory diseases. The Influenza Surveillance Unit collaborates closely with other units in the Emerging Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Response (EIDER) Section as well as other Sections within the Division, and colleagues in district offices from other MDH divisions.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Supervise epidemiologists and other staff in the unit by providing and developing effective workplans with staff, maintaining workloads across staff, maintaining a positive and inclusive work environment, and resolving conflict when needed.

• Provide guidance for influenza prevention activities.

• Oversee surveillance activities for case-based and sentinel surveillance activities.

• Direct outbreak investigations.

• Oversee, coordinate, and conduct special studies.

• Maintain and collaborate with national and local partners on grant related activities.

This position may have the option of teleworking based on the business needs and manager discretion. Commuting to the St. Paul office and other MDH office locations across the state may be required. Reimbursement for authorized business travel expenses is provided according to bargaining unit guidelines.

This position is eligible for telework to applicants who reside in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota or South Dakota. Position locations will be determined by the top candidate and will be based out one of the following MDH district office locations: St. Paul, St. Cloud, Duluth, Rochester, Marshall, Mankato, Bemidji, Fergus Falls.

This is a temporary position with an anticipated end date of June 6, 2025.

Minimum Qualifications

The following minimum qualifications must be clearly demonstrated on the applicant’s resume/application to be considered for this position.

Master’s Degree in Public Health, Microbiology, Epidemiology, or closely related public health field.

AND

Successful completion of a minimum of four (4) graduate quarter credits or three (3) semester credits in each of the following areas:

Epidemiology

Biostatistics

AND

Two (2) years of experience as a lead epidemiologist, which includes responsibility for designing and conducting a variety of investigations of acute and/or chronic disease and/or environmental epidemiology that demonstrates the following:

• Demonstrated experience in an emergency response situation that involved multiple partners.

• Demonstrated experience writing and preparing grants, contract proposals and reports.

• Demonstrated experience leading and designing workplans for a team.

Minimum qualifications to be assessed at the time of interview:

• Knowledge and understanding of vaccines and vaccine preventable diseases

• Knowledge, understanding, and experience conducting influenza and novel influenza surveillance

• Experience maintaining a study specific database and a disease surveillance system.

• Experience maintaining a surveillance system involving multiple internal and external partnerships.

• Experience working with statistical software (SAS, STATA, R, or EPI-INFO)

• Experience in responding to media requests, public meetings, orally or in writing and be skilled at risk communication, with the ability to respond nimbly during interviews, public meetings, and other spontaneous settings..

Preferred Qualifications

• Working knowledge of state and local public and individual health problems and programs.

• Familiarity with data management and the ability to provide guidance and direction to data entry personnel and others assisting with the collection, entry, editing, cleaning, and preliminary analysis of data.

• An understanding and familiarity with the Minnesota Electronic Disease Surveillance System (MEDSS).

• Data collection and analysis expertise along with strong written communication skills for preparing annual summaries, support for grant proposals, and results in manuscripts to be submitted for publication.

• Knowledge of computer software applications including office software (word, excel and PowerPoint); database management software (Access, Oracle, REDCap).

• Ability to troubleshoot new software and unfamiliar file types. Experience developing and implementing strategic plans and workplans.

Additional Requirements

• This position requires successful completion of a background check and employment reference check.

• This position does not require a valid driver's license, but it does demand travel, which the candidate will be responsible for meeting.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us . Please indicate what assistance is needed.