Intern - Office of Epidemiology, Surveillance & Emerging Diseases

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.

Position Overview:
The Office of Epidemiology, Surveillance & Emerging Diseases (OESED) at Harris County Public Health focuses on disease data collection, disease investigations, data analysis and interpretation, education and guidance for healthcare providers and community partners, and needed resources in the community to decrease transmission of any high incidence disease or a new emerging disease posing a threat to Harris County.

As part of the practicum experience, the intern will work closely with their preceptor and epidemiology staff to gain insight into the functions of the Epidemiology, Surveillance, and Emerging Diseases teams: Communicable & Emerging Diseases, Non-Communicable Diseases, Reporting & Informatics, and Program Support. The intern will support various operations of the OESED teams, including contributing to data analysis, health and disease report development, case investigations, liaison outreach events, and programmatic support. Additional activities may be involved, based on the specific practicum project and needs of the OESED team.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Understand and perform the principles & methods of notifiable disease surveillance at the local, state, and national level
• Apply epidemiological concepts to analyze & interpret communicable disease surveillance data
• Understand the epidemiologic factors and investigation guidelines associated with a communicable disease of interest
• Utilize and develop additional skills in using statistical tools such as Microsoft Excel, Stata, and/or Epi Info
• Assist in developing Harris County surveillance and health outcome reports
• Provide support with other surveillance activities, as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Education & Experience:

• Candidates pursuing a graduate degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Statistics, Informatics, or other related fields
• Proficient with MS Office Suite (word, Excel, PowerPoint & Outlook)
• Basic data analysis

• Strong organizational skills
• Able to work independently and/or with a team
• Self-motivated and able to follow instructions
• Possess critical thinking skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent research and reporting skills

• Understands the organizational mission
• Understands ethics and public good; is concerned with public trust
• Demonstrates respect for the opinions and beliefs of others

• Contributes to an inclusive workplace where equity, diversity, inclusion, and individual differences are valued and leveraged to achieve the vision and mission
• Demonstrates a sense of responsibility for the success of the group
•  Collaborates with others to improve quality and address needs

• Ability to adapt to change

• Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect
• Behaves in an honest, fair, and ethical manner
• Assesses and recognizes own strengths and weaknesses
• Uses sound judgment
• Self-motivated
• Organizes and maintains work environment to allow for maximum productivity

• Communicates clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing

N/A

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

• This is a part-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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Harris County Public Health: Office of Epidemiology, Surveillance & Emerging Diseases - 1111 Fannin St. Houston, Texas. 77002.