Plans, coordinates, conducts, analyzes, interprets, and reports the findings from public health surveillance systems and advanced epidemiologic studies which identify the causes of morbidity and mortality.  Designs and coordinates appropriate preventive health measures based upon investigative results.  Determines which specific public health issues require further epidemiologic studies.  Medical positions provide professional medical consultation in the performance of these duties.

This is the full working-level position in the series.  Incumbents at this level independently propose and direct epidemiological investigations or act as the principal investigator on local, State, and/or Federal health research grants. Positions at this level may supervise or lead lower level epidemiologists or other research staff.

In addition to the typical work for the Epidemiologist 2, this position: 

Independently proposes and supervises epidemiological investigations of human morbidity or mortality; 

Collaborates with a broad spectrum of public health constituents and participants including federal, state, and local public health officials, as well as government officials, private individuals, and senior researchers in academic settings;   

Coordinates local, State and/or Federal health research programs; 

Is principal investigator (PI) on local, State, and/or Federal health research grants; 

Supervises the work of lower level epidemiologists; 

Performs other duties as required.

Knowledge of: modern epidemiologic principles and practices including the symptoms, causes, means of transmission and methods of control of communicable and chronic diseases; microbiology and pathophysiology; basic medical terminology; modern research procedures including biostatistical methodology; computers and programming in database management and statistical software; community organizations and resources related to the field of public health and epidemiology, disease control methods, recent developments in the field of epidemiology, basic management skills. 

Ability to:  apply laws and departmental rules and regulations to problems of disease control; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with governmental, voluntary, and private organizations, and groups concerned with public health services; communicate clearly and concisely orally and in writing on both technical and non-technical levels; prepare grant proposals and budgets, supervise and lead lower level staff; develop grant proposals.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

A Doctoral degree in epidemiology or a Doctoral degree in biostatistics with 12 graduate quarter hours (500 level or above) of epidemiology and two years of experience in epidemiology research and analysis.

OR 

A Doctoral degree in a health science field, with a Master's degree in epidemiology or a Master's degree in public health, including 12 graduate quarter hours (500 level or above) in epidemiology and 12 quarter hours in biostatistics and two years of experience in epidemiology research and analysis. 

OR

A Master's degree in epidemiology, or a Master's degree in public health including 12 graduate quarter hours (500 level or above) in epidemiology and 12 graduate quarter hours in biostatistics, and six years of experience in epidemiology research and analysis. 

OR

A Medical degree with a Master's degree in epidemiology or a Master's degree in public health including 12 graduate quarter hours (500 level or above) in epidemiology and 12 graduate quarter hours in biostatistics and two years of experience in epidemiology research analysis.  Completion of related training or experience such as with the Centers for Disease Control or the National Institute of Health will substitute for MPH degree. 

NOTE:  When an MD is selected, a license to practice medicine in the State of Washington must be obtained.