Epidemiologist (Public Service Administrator, Opt.6F)

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Public Health is seeking a highly motivated individual to perform the duties of Epidemiologist. Under direction of the Communicable Disease Section Chief, is responsible for assisting in Outbreak Control; tracks outbreak investigations for completeness, and assures that documentation is submitted by local investigating agencies that will allow for final determination as to source and etiologic agent; applies epidemiologic principles to the design, implementation and evaluation of outbreak investigations; Develops and manages certain grant applications and projects; Interprets, discusses and explains the Division of Infectious Disease CD Section activities and procedures to interested groups.

Benefits Statement

As a State of Illinois Employee, you will receive a robust benefit package that includes the following:

• Flexible and hybrid work schedules are available in many program areas (when available and dependent upon position) 


• Competitive Group Insurance benefits including health, life, dental and vision plans.


• Pension plan through the State Employees Retirement System


• Deferred Compensation Program – voluntary supplemental retirement plan


• Optional pre-tax programs -Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP) & Dependent Care Assistant Plan (DCAP)


• 10-25 days of paid vacation time annually (10 days for first year of state employment)


• 12 paid sick days annually which carryover year to year


• 3 paid personal business days per calendar year (pro-rated dependent on start date)


• 13-14 paid holidays per year


• 12 weeks of paid parental leave


• Employee Assistance Program and/or mental health resources

These are just a few of the many perks available to all State employees. For more information about our benefits please follow this link: https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/benefits/Pages/default.aspx. 

Essential Functions

• Responsible for Vector-Borne Disease (VPD) surveillance and outbreak response.


• Creates and runs analytical reports to monitor cases of disease and identify possible clusters.


• Develops and manages certain grant applications and projects.


• Serves as working supervisor.


• Assists other Central Office staff in interpreting and explaining program policy, including interpretation of the Rules and Regulations for the control of Communicable Diseases to local health department personnel.


• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires possession of a bachelor’s degree in public health, registered nursing, microbiology, sociology, anthropology, veterinary medicine, biology, psychology, chemistry, epidemiology or a related field.


• Requires three (3) years of professional experience in communicable disease or infectious disease surveillance and/or control programs at the local, State or federal level.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in public health with a focus on epidemiology.


• Three (3) years’ experience investigating individual cases of communicable diseases.


• Three (3) years’ experience participating in the investigation of Communicable Disease outbreaks.


• Three (3) years’ experience writing grant applications.


• Three (3) years’ experience with analytical tools including Tableau, GIS, R and SAS.


• Three (3) years’ experience with the Illinois National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (I-NEDSS).

Conditions of Employment

• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties.


• Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license.

About the Agency

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is tasked with the oversight of communities within Illinois to achieve and maintain optimal health and safety. With an annual budget of over $2 billion in state and federal funds, 6 regional offices, 3 laboratories and over 1,200 employees, IDPH is equipped to fulfill its mission of protecting the health and wellness of the people of Illinois through the prevention, health promotion, regulation and control of disease and injury.