Surveillance Epidemiologist
Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Houston, TX
Job Type: Regular Full-time
Job Number: 16606
Department: Public Health Services
Division: Office of Epidemiology, Surveillance and Emerging Diseases
Opening Date: 04/30/2026
Closing Date: 5/4/2026 11:59 PM Central
Position Description
If you're looking to be a part of a collaborative environment where your skills can make an impact, explore our current opportunities in creating a better future for public health.
About Harris County Public Health:
Harris County Public Health (HCPH) includes a network of more than 1,100 public health professionals working together to improve health outcomes for the third most populous county in the United States. HCPH provides a multitude of services such as medical and dental services, community programming, and health education for the approximately 2.3 million people in unincorporated Harris County. Through its core values of innovation, engagement, and health equity, HCPH strives to bring meaningful solutions to public health issues while keeping Harris County healthy and vibrant.
Our Values:
HCPH embraces a foundation of progressive work anchored by the department's cornerstone values guiding our work to improve community's health and well-being.
- Transparency- We share information openly and honestly so that staff, partners, and the community understand our actions and the reasons behind them.
- Integrity- Our actions reflect strong ethical principles, ensuring we remain trustworthy, accountable, and consistent with our mission.
- Respect - We foster a supportive environment by valuing diverse perspectives, listening intentionally, and treating people with dignity in every interaction.
- Impact -We focus our efforts on activities that improve health, reduce disparities, and create meaningful, measurable outcomes for the communities we serve.
- Collaboration- We actively partner across teams, disciplines, organizations, and communities to align our efforts toward common goals.
Position Overview:
Under the supervision of the Communicable and Emerging Disease Manager and Supervisor, the Epidemiologist applies principles of Epidemiology to disease control activities within the jurisdiction of HCPH. Of particular focus is the surveillance, investigation, prevention and control of emerging and re-emerging diseases and other notifiable conditions; the proper surveillance and reporting of normal disease occurrence and outbreak situations; contribute to the identification, analysis and report writing of disease conditions.
Duties & Responsibilities:
Epidemiology Duties
- Conduct epidemiology surveillance investigations for emerging and re-emerging disease conditions and conditions of public health significance, including outbreaks, targeted active surveillance, and public health emergencies. Provide consultation and make recommendations for control measures and prevention based on public health guidelines.
- Report case investigations through the surveillance data management system.
- Provide 24/7 disease surveillance coverage on a rotating basis with other epidemiologists.
Research, Data Analysis, and Reports
- Participate in research activities which may include the design, preparation, and review of reports from analyses of surveillance data, literature reviews, and other information. Produce or contribute to special reports and statistical analysis of epidemiological investigations to ensure readiness for responding to emerging and communicable diseases, Bioterrorism, outbreaks of infectious diseases, and other public health threats and emergencies. These may include activities such as monthly morbidity reports, annual reports, and outbreak investigation summary reports.
Outreach
- Establish and maintain relationships with hospital infection control preventionists, school health care coordinators, and nurses to promote reporting of Texas notifiable conditions. Initiate active surveillance in daycares, schools, and long-term care facilities etc. when an outbreak occurs
- Provide educational presentations based on surveillance data and other information tailored to diverse audiences and community partners, such as schools.
Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
[click to reveal website link]
If you need special services or accommodations, please call [click to reveal phone number] or email [click to reveal email address]
This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.
Requirements
Education:
- Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Public Health disciplines such as Epidemiology, biomedical sciences, statistics, or related science degree.
Experience:
- At least one (1) year of experience working in a public health-related area, such as local health department disease investigation, college or university public health project, clinical or public health laboratory, disease surveillance, or statistical project.
Licensure/Certification:
- Valid Driver's License (Texas upon hire) along with a good driving record for regular local travel when needed to attend other local health departments or State, Regional Health department meetings and trainings.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Proficient in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
- Proficient with statistical analysis software (SPSS, STATA, SAS, R, or Epi Info).
- Excellent communication skills (verbal & written).
- Ability to write reports and technical papers.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and foster teamwork in a diverse environment.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality when dealing with sensitive information.
- Ability to work well with public and staff members.
- Use your personal mobile device for our Multifactor Authentication process.
Core Competencies:
- Data Analytics and Assessment Skills: Ability to use data to analyze community health needs and support decisions that improve community health outcomes.
- Communication Skills: This competency focuses on using clear and effective communication to engage audiences, address misinformation, and build trust, supporting informed decisions and stronger public health outcomes.
- Health Advancement Skills: This competency focuses on applying principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion to public health, addressing systemic barriers, and promoting fair access to resources for healthier communities.
- Community Partnership Skills: This competency focuses on collaborating with communities to address the systems and policies affecting health, fostering engagement, shared ownership, and sustainable improvements in well-being.
- Public Health Science Skills: This competency focuses on using public health science and evidence-based approaches to develop and improve policies and programs, ensuring effective delivery of the 10 Essential Public Health Services.
NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.
General Information
Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:
- This is a regular, full-time position.
- Days and hours of work are typically Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
- Other days and hours as necessary.
Work Environment:
- This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.
Physical Demands:
- This is a largely sedentary role; however, some duties would require the ability to lift up to 20 pounds and bending & standing for periods at a time.
Work Location:
- Harris County Public Health: Office of Epidemiology, Surveillance & Emerging Diseases - 1111 Fannin St. Houston, Texas. 77002.
Employment is contingent upon passing a background check and drug screen.
Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.
HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.
The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions:
Health & Wellness Benefits
- Medical Coverage
- Dental Coverage
- Vision Coverage
- Wellness Plan
- Life Insurance
- Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
- Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
- Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
- One (1) floating holiday per year
- Paid Parental Leave*
- Sick Leave
Retirement Savings Benefit
- 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
The following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions:
- Professional learning & development opportunities
- Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)
- Flexible work schedule*
- METRO RideSponsor Program*
* Participation may vary by County department. The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas.
In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.
For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website:
01
Which of the following best describes your highest level of education completed as it relates to this position?
- High School or Equivalent
- Associate's Degree
- Bachelor's Degree
- Master's Degree or higher
- N/A; No Degree
02
If you selected a degree in response to the previous question, which of the following disciplines best relates to your degree most relevant to this position?
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Biomedical Sciences
- Statistics
- Other Related Science Degree
- Non-Related Field
- N/A; No Degree
03
Which of the following best describes your verifiable experience in a public health-related area, such as local health department disease investigation, college or university public health project, clinical or public health laboratory, disease surveillance, or statistical project. (To be considered, the qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history)
- Less than one (1) year.
- One (1) year or more.
- I do not have this experience.
04
Please provide details about your verifiable experience in a public health-related area, such as local health department disease investigation, college or university public health project, clinical or public health laboratory, disease surveillance, or statistical project. Do not use "Please see Resume" or "See Resume" (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history) Please include your (a) role(s), (b) types of organizations, (c) scope of duties and responsibilities If you do not have this experience, please type "None" in the space provided.
05
This role requires a Valid Driver's License (Texas upon hire). Do you have a Valid Driver's License with good driving record?
- I have a valid Texas driver's license good driving record
- I have a valid driver's license with good driving record from another state but can obtain a Texas license upon hire.
- I do not have a valid driver's license.
Required Question