Wastewater Epidemiologist

About the position The Wastewater Surveillance Epidemiologist provides coordination of wastewater surveillance activities and support and analysis of wastewater surveillance data as a member of the Infectious Disease Epidemiology Team. This role involves monitoring, cleaning, and analyzing wastewater surveillance disease data, preparing reports, and distributing data in a standardized way. The position also includes participation in federal and regional wastewater workgroups, piloting and refining Maine’s wastewater response protocols, and collaborating with subject matter epidemiologists on various pathogens. Additionally, the role is responsible for education and outreach, serving as a point of contact for Maine CDC wastewater surveillance, managing grant objectives, and contributing to the overall Infectious Disease Epidemiology Program planning and evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate wastewater surveillance activities.
• Support and analyze wastewater surveillance data.
• Monitor, clean, and analyze wastewater surveillance disease data.
• Prepare reports and distribute data in a standardized way.
• Participate in federal and regional wastewater workgroups.
• Pilot and refine Maine’s wastewater response protocols in collaboration with stakeholders.
• Collaborate with subject matter epidemiologists on pathogens in their respective areas (e.g., COVID, influenza, HAI).
• Perform education and outreach activities.
• Serve as a point of contact for Maine CDC wastewater surveillance.
• Manage grant objectives related to wastewater surveillance.
• Participate in and contribute to overall Infectious Disease Epidemiology Program planning and evaluation activities.
• Perform additional duties as reasonably assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Public Health, Information Systems, or related fields (Biology, Community Health, Informatics, Computer Sciences, Biostatistics etc.).
• 4 years of relevant experience.
• Communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Knowledge of Excel and Microsoft Word.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability and willingness to travel.

Nice-to-haves

• Master’s Degree in Public Health, Information Systems, or related field.
• At least two years of relevant work experience.
• Ability to speak and write in multiple languages.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of epidemiology and public health surveillance.
• Knowledge of statistics and statistical software.
• Knowledge of data collection and management.
• Knowledge of coding languages (SAS, R, Python, SQL, Java, etc.).
• Knowledge of health messaging (HL7, FHIR, electronic laboratory reports (ELR), electronic case reports (eCR)).
• Knowledge of surveillance systems including National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NEDSS), Electronic Surveillance System for the Early Notification of Community-Based Epidemics (ESSENCE), Immunization Information System (ImmPact).
• Knowledge of data visualization software (Tableau, ArcGIS, Power BI, etc.).
• Knowledge of infectious diseases, including risk and transmission.
• Knowledge of medical terminology.
• Knowledge of word processing software, email and internet use, spreadsheets or analysis programs.
• Ability to analyze public health data.
• Ability to draw logical inferences from data analysis.
• Ability to pay attention to detail.
• Ability to organize, disseminate, and report public health information.
• Ability to be flexible and reprioritize during the workday.
• Ability to work as a team leader and team member.
• Ability to communicate with local partners.
• Ability to work independently, including being a “self-starter”.
• Ability to facilitate groups.
• Ability to speak publicly.
• Possess an attitude that fosters a respectful, non-threatening workplace environment.