California Department of Public Health
Senior Syndromic Surveillance Epidemiologist | Research Scientist III (Epi/Bio),
California Department of Public Health, California, Missouri, United States, 65018
Senior Syndromic Surveillance Epidemiologist | Research Scientist III (Epi/Bio), JC-495390
Join to apply for the
Senior Syndromic Surveillance Epidemiologist | Research Scientist III (Epi/Bio), JC-495390
role at
California Department of Public Health
California Department of Public Health provided pay range This range is provided by California Department of Public Health. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
Base pay range Department Information
At the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the core of our mission to advance the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities. We are genuinely and strongly committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness where we can grow and learn together with a diverse team of employees. In recruiting for team members, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring to us and the work we do.
Department Website:
https://www.cdph.ca.gov
Check out
How to Apply for a Job at CDPH
Benefit information can be found on the
CalHR
website and the
CalPERS
website.
The salary listed in this ad may not include recent adjustments or changes from the fiscal year
New to State candidates will be hired at the minimum salary of the classification or alternate range, as applicable.
Effective July 2025, California’s Personal Leave Program (PLP 2025) reduces employees’ base pay by 3% in exchange for 5 hours of leave credits monthly through June 2027. The posted salary range does not reflect this reduction.
Job Description And Duties THERE IS TWO VACANCIES BEING ADVERTISED ACROSS MULTIPLE COUNTIES. THE INCUMBENT WILL BE HEADQUARTERED IN THE COUNTY NEAREST THE RESIDENCE OF THE SELECTED CANDIDATE. THE COUNTIES ARE: San Bernardino
Incumbents in one of these classifications, where a Master’s Degree is required to meet the minimum qualifications, shall receive an educational pay differential equivalent to 2% of their monthly base pay. Those where a Doctoral Degree is a required to meet the minimum qualifications, shall receive an educational pay differential equivalent to 3% of their monthly base pay. Individuals with both a Master’s and Doctoral Degree will be given the best benefit in relation to salary shall only be eligible for only one amount.
This position supports the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) mission and strategic plan by supporting the implementation, utilization, maintenance, and operation of the statewide California Syndromic Surveillance (CalSyS) program. This program facilitates timely and broad monitoring of population health, ultimately leading to more rapid and targeted disease/illness/injury control and data-driven prevention strategies, as well as increased situational awareness for public health response.
The Research Scientist III (Epidemiology/Biostatistics) (RS III)(EB) serves as a senior-level, public health epidemiologist and subject matter expert specializing in data systems and the application of data to inform public health efforts.
The RS III is responsible for leading and planning analyses of syndromic surveillance data using current methods and best practices in both epidemiology and biostatistics. Additionally, they provide expert guidance on federal, state, and local initiatives that improve the availability, accessibility, and usability of public health Syndromic Surveillance (SyS) data.
The RS III serves as a subject matter expert on data platforms for Office of Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response (OIDPR), the SyS Section, independently managing a variety of highly complex tasks to support CDPH epidemiologic surveillance activities. They collaborate with experts at local, state, and federal levels to oversee the collection, integration, analysis, dissemination, and use of SyS data.
The incumbent is an advisor on epidemiologic training and education for stakeholders and CDPH partners. Additionally, the RS III ensures data privacy while applying scientific methods of study during investigation, analysis, and interpretation phases, while achieving maximum value of surveillance data and information for public health.
In the case of a public health emergency, this position may be asked to redirect to serve rotations in emergency staffing roles aligned with their classification level.
The incumbent works under the general direction of the Research Scientist Supervisor I, Chief of the Epidemiology, Analytics, and Reporting (Epi) Unit within the Syndromic Surveillance (SyS) Section.
Desirable Qualifications In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:
Expertise with epidemiologic studies and public health surveillance
Proficiency with data analysis and statistical software (e.g., SQL, R, SAS, SAS Viya, Python)
Knowledge and implementation of research methods and techniques, including application of statistical methods and models
Expertise in data manipulation and running complex data queries with large data sets
Experience in data governance (e.g., provisioning/requesting data access, implementing, developing, and/or enforcing data use/access/management policies)
Ability to summarize and present complex information (e.g., research findings) clearly for a wide variety of audiences via a variety of methods (e.g., written reports, oral presentations, website content, data dashboards)
Experience with and knowledge of syndromic surveillance and its use within public health contexts
The Supplemental Questionnaire must be no longer than two pages, written using 12-point Arial font, with your name and job control number noted at the top of each page. Answers must be numbered and should reference the desirable qualifications.
Describe how your background, education, and skills make you a good candidate for this position.
Describe your background and experience in conducting epidemiologic studies and/or surveillance activities focused on using data to guide public health response efforts. Describe methods used to disseminate the data for use in a variety of contexts and the different statistical software and programs you have used in this work.
Eligibility Information If you are new to California State Service, you must take and pass the examination for this classification to be eligible for hire. Current state employees without transfer or list eligibility must also complete and pass the examination for this classification to qualify for this position.
Please visit the
CalCareers/Exams
web page to review the
Research Scientist III (Epidemiology/Biostatistics)
exam bulletin.
Telework Information This position may be eligible for telework up to three (3) days per week and is required to report in-person to the designated headquarters office location a minimum of two (2) days per week. The amount of telework permitted is at the discretion of the Department and is subject to change, consistent with CDPH’s Telework Program. All employees who telework are required to be California residents in accordance with Government Code 14200. Candidates who reside outside of the state of California may be interviewed; however, the selected candidate must have a primary residency in the state of California prior to appointment (and continue to maintain California residency) as a condition of employment. Failure to meet this requirement may result in the job offer being rescinded.
Business travel may be required, and reimbursement considers an employee’s designated headquarters office subject to regulations and bargaining unit contract provisions. All commute expenses to the designated headquarters office will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.
The headquarters office location for this position is identified in the attached duty statement.
Final Filing Date: 10/31/2025
Job Code #: JC-495390
Position #(s): 580-465-5594-909
Classification: RESEARCH SCIENTIST III (EPIDEMIOLOGY/BIOSTATISTICS)
$8,045.00 - $10,364.00
# of Positions: 2
Work Location: United States
Telework: Hybrid
Job Type: Permanent, Full Time
Should you have any questions regarding the application process, our Recruitment Team is ready to help you at Apply@cdph.ca.gov or (916) 445-0983.
Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Research, Science, and Other
Industries
Public Health
Inferred from the description for this job
Medical insurance
Vision insurance
Pension plan
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Senior Syndromic Surveillance Epidemiologist | Research Scientist III (Epi/Bio), JC-495390
role at
California Department of Public Health
California Department of Public Health provided pay range This range is provided by California Department of Public Health. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
Base pay range Department Information
At the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the core of our mission to advance the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities. We are genuinely and strongly committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness where we can grow and learn together with a diverse team of employees. In recruiting for team members, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring to us and the work we do.
Department Website:
https://www.cdph.ca.gov
Check out
How to Apply for a Job at CDPH
Benefit information can be found on the
CalHR
website and the
CalPERS
website.
The salary listed in this ad may not include recent adjustments or changes from the fiscal year
New to State candidates will be hired at the minimum salary of the classification or alternate range, as applicable.
Effective July 2025, California’s Personal Leave Program (PLP 2025) reduces employees’ base pay by 3% in exchange for 5 hours of leave credits monthly through June 2027. The posted salary range does not reflect this reduction.
Job Description And Duties THERE IS TWO VACANCIES BEING ADVERTISED ACROSS MULTIPLE COUNTIES. THE INCUMBENT WILL BE HEADQUARTERED IN THE COUNTY NEAREST THE RESIDENCE OF THE SELECTED CANDIDATE. THE COUNTIES ARE: San Bernardino
Incumbents in one of these classifications, where a Master’s Degree is required to meet the minimum qualifications, shall receive an educational pay differential equivalent to 2% of their monthly base pay. Those where a Doctoral Degree is a required to meet the minimum qualifications, shall receive an educational pay differential equivalent to 3% of their monthly base pay. Individuals with both a Master’s and Doctoral Degree will be given the best benefit in relation to salary shall only be eligible for only one amount.
This position supports the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) mission and strategic plan by supporting the implementation, utilization, maintenance, and operation of the statewide California Syndromic Surveillance (CalSyS) program. This program facilitates timely and broad monitoring of population health, ultimately leading to more rapid and targeted disease/illness/injury control and data-driven prevention strategies, as well as increased situational awareness for public health response.
The Research Scientist III (Epidemiology/Biostatistics) (RS III)(EB) serves as a senior-level, public health epidemiologist and subject matter expert specializing in data systems and the application of data to inform public health efforts.
The RS III is responsible for leading and planning analyses of syndromic surveillance data using current methods and best practices in both epidemiology and biostatistics. Additionally, they provide expert guidance on federal, state, and local initiatives that improve the availability, accessibility, and usability of public health Syndromic Surveillance (SyS) data.
The RS III serves as a subject matter expert on data platforms for Office of Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response (OIDPR), the SyS Section, independently managing a variety of highly complex tasks to support CDPH epidemiologic surveillance activities. They collaborate with experts at local, state, and federal levels to oversee the collection, integration, analysis, dissemination, and use of SyS data.
The incumbent is an advisor on epidemiologic training and education for stakeholders and CDPH partners. Additionally, the RS III ensures data privacy while applying scientific methods of study during investigation, analysis, and interpretation phases, while achieving maximum value of surveillance data and information for public health.
In the case of a public health emergency, this position may be asked to redirect to serve rotations in emergency staffing roles aligned with their classification level.
The incumbent works under the general direction of the Research Scientist Supervisor I, Chief of the Epidemiology, Analytics, and Reporting (Epi) Unit within the Syndromic Surveillance (SyS) Section.
Desirable Qualifications In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:
Expertise with epidemiologic studies and public health surveillance
Proficiency with data analysis and statistical software (e.g., SQL, R, SAS, SAS Viya, Python)
Knowledge and implementation of research methods and techniques, including application of statistical methods and models
Expertise in data manipulation and running complex data queries with large data sets
Experience in data governance (e.g., provisioning/requesting data access, implementing, developing, and/or enforcing data use/access/management policies)
Ability to summarize and present complex information (e.g., research findings) clearly for a wide variety of audiences via a variety of methods (e.g., written reports, oral presentations, website content, data dashboards)
Experience with and knowledge of syndromic surveillance and its use within public health contexts
The Supplemental Questionnaire must be no longer than two pages, written using 12-point Arial font, with your name and job control number noted at the top of each page. Answers must be numbered and should reference the desirable qualifications.
Describe how your background, education, and skills make you a good candidate for this position.
Describe your background and experience in conducting epidemiologic studies and/or surveillance activities focused on using data to guide public health response efforts. Describe methods used to disseminate the data for use in a variety of contexts and the different statistical software and programs you have used in this work.
Eligibility Information If you are new to California State Service, you must take and pass the examination for this classification to be eligible for hire. Current state employees without transfer or list eligibility must also complete and pass the examination for this classification to qualify for this position.
Please visit the
CalCareers/Exams
web page to review the
Research Scientist III (Epidemiology/Biostatistics)
exam bulletin.
Telework Information This position may be eligible for telework up to three (3) days per week and is required to report in-person to the designated headquarters office location a minimum of two (2) days per week. The amount of telework permitted is at the discretion of the Department and is subject to change, consistent with CDPH’s Telework Program. All employees who telework are required to be California residents in accordance with Government Code 14200. Candidates who reside outside of the state of California may be interviewed; however, the selected candidate must have a primary residency in the state of California prior to appointment (and continue to maintain California residency) as a condition of employment. Failure to meet this requirement may result in the job offer being rescinded.
Business travel may be required, and reimbursement considers an employee’s designated headquarters office subject to regulations and bargaining unit contract provisions. All commute expenses to the designated headquarters office will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.
The headquarters office location for this position is identified in the attached duty statement.
Final Filing Date: 10/31/2025
Job Code #: JC-495390
Position #(s): 580-465-5594-909
Classification: RESEARCH SCIENTIST III (EPIDEMIOLOGY/BIOSTATISTICS)
$8,045.00 - $10,364.00
# of Positions: 2
Work Location: United States
Telework: Hybrid
Job Type: Permanent, Full Time
Should you have any questions regarding the application process, our Recruitment Team is ready to help you at Apply@cdph.ca.gov or (916) 445-0983.
Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Research, Science, and Other
Industries
Public Health
Inferred from the description for this job
Medical insurance
Vision insurance
Pension plan
#J-18808-Ljbffr