TAHC - Temporary, Program Specialist, Ectoparasite Response - Pleasanton

Summary

Job Description

This is a full¿time, temporary position currently funded through August 31, 2027. Continuation beyond this date is dependent on the availability of permanent funding.

General Description: Performs highly complex (seniorlevel) consultative services, technical assistance, research, and field work as it relates to ectoparasite response (i.e. New World Screwworm) and the prevention and control of vectorborne diseases. Work involves serving as an epidemiological expert for the New World Screwworm emergency response, conductingrapid epidemiological investigations, analyzing outbreak patterns and transmission dynamics, supporting surveillance system design and implementation, providing evidencebased recommendations for containment and eradication strategies, supporting similar foreign ectoparasite (Cattle Fever Tick etc.) regulatory work, and communicating complex epidemiological findings to agency management, livestock producers, and stakeholders. Works under limited supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. May travel up to 25% for ectoparasite needs and training.

Essential Duties:
¿ Coordinates with staff on conducting epidemiological field investigations for suspected and confirmed screwworm cases, including case identification, contact tracing, exposure assessment, and transmission pathway analysis.
¿ Collaborates with staff to design and implement surveillance systems for ongoing monitoring of new world screwworms, including data management strategies.
¿ Conducts statistical and epidemiological analyses to identify and document spread, assess risk factors, and generate models for geographic progression.
¿ Prepares detailed epidemiological reports and situation assessments for executive leadership, veterinarians, and external partners as needed, including disease timeline, transmission networks, and case summaries.
¿ Evaluates effectiveness of control measures and response interventions through epidemiological analysis of case trends, outcomes, and surveillance data.
¿ Develops and modifies surveillance and response protocols based on realtime epidemiological findings and evolving outbreak scenarios.
¿ Collaborates with laboratory partners to ensure appropriate specimen collection, transport, and diagnostic support for outbreak investigations.
¿ Provides advice and guidance regarding epidemiological information to emergency coordinators regarding quarantine zones, movement restrictions, and containment area determination.
¿ Monitors and maintains epidemiological databases and information systems for recording case details, geographic location, animal demographics, clinical findings, and investigation outcomes
¿ Participates in national and international disease surveillance information sharing networks and reporting systems
¿ Reviews epidemiology operations for communicating data and information to executive leadership, veterinarians, and external partners, etc.
¿ May assists with containment and eradication activities, including sterile insect technique (SIT) coordination, quarantine enforcement, and movement restrictions for emergency management.
¿ Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

¿ Master¿s Degree, PhD, MD, OR DVM in Public Health, Veterinary Epidemiology or Entomology with a Certificate in Public Health, Science or related field OR equivalent certification in Public Health (CPH) by National Board of Public Health Examiners.

¿ Three (3) years¿ experience in the field of epidemiology, veterinary disease surveillance, and/or veterinary regulatory/foreign animal or vector borne disease control and prevention.
¿ Experience investigating infectious disease outbreaks in livestock or wildlife populations.

Education and experience may be substituted for one another on a yearforyear basis.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws related to the program area; public administration techniques; training and marketing techniques; and program management processes and techniques. Skill in identifying measures or indicators of program performance and in the use of a computer and applicable software. Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts; to devise solutions to problems; to market programs; to prepare reports; to develop, evaluate, and interpret policies and procedures; and to communicate effectively. Knowledge of management techniques; statistical analysis processes; budget processes; and research techniques. Ability to provide guidance to others.

Other Requirements: Must have a valid Texas driver¿s license and safe driving record. Employment of selected candidate is contingent upon the receipt of an acceptable criminal background check and an acceptable moving violation record from the Texas Department of Public Safety. Must have reliable transportation. Mileage reimbursed at current allowance rate.

At time of hire, selected applicants must show proof of eligibility to work in the U.S. in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act. Proof of eligibility to work in the U.S. will be confirmed using EVerify. All males who are age 18 through 25 and required to register with the Selective Service must present proof of registration or exemption from registration upon hire.

IMPORTANT: The TAHC is an emergency response agency. This position plays a key role in the agency¿s emergency management activities. As a first responder, this position is subject to participate in rotating temporary duty assignments away from the regular designated headquarters for up to two weeks at a time. This duty may involve working in adverse conditions; may require irregular working hours and overtime; and, may include duties other than those specified in the standard position description.

How to Apply: To submit your application for employment, select Apply Online. Create and/or Login to your online applicant profile and electronically submit your State of Texas Application for Employment. All applications must contain complete work experience, including job title, dates, employer, supervisor's contact information and a description of duties performed. If this information is not submitted, your application may be rejected and be considered incomplete. Resumes do not take the place of this required information, however, may serve as supplemental information.

Veterans, Reservist or Guardsmen with an MOS or additional duties that fall in the fields related to the minimum requirements may meet the minimum qualifications for this position and are highly encouraged to apply. Additional Military Crosswalk information can be accessed at: Texas State Auditor's Office Job Descriptions

An Equal Opportunity Employer

The Texas Animal Health Commission is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation or disability in employment or in the provision of services. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, any requests for reasonable accommodation needed during the application process should be communicated by the applicant to our Human Resources Department (512) 7190700. For a telecommunications relay service for the hearing impaired, please dial 711.

Job Description

Job Description

This is a full¿time, temporary position currently funded through August 31, 2027. Continuation beyond this date is dependent on the availability of permanent funding.

General Description: Performs highly complex (seniorlevel) consultative services, technical assistance, research, and field work as it relates to ectoparasite response (i.e. New World Screwworm) and the prevention and control of vectorborne diseases. Work involves serving as an epidemiological expert for the New World Screwworm emergency response, conductingrapid epidemiological investigations, analyzing outbreak patterns and transmission dynamics, supporting surveillance system design and implementation, providing evidencebased recommendations for containment and eradication strategies, supporting similar foreign ectoparasite (Cattle Fever Tick etc.) regulatory work, and communicating complex epidemiological findings to agency management, livestock producers, and stakeholders. Works under limited supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. May travel up to 25% for ectoparasite needs and training.

Essential Duties:
¿ Coordinates with staff on conducting epidemiological field investigations for suspected and confirmed screwworm cases, including case identification, contact tracing, exposure assessment, and transmission pathway analysis.
¿ Collaborates with staff to design and implement surveillance systems for ongoing monitoring of new world screwworms, including data management strategies.
¿ Conducts statistical and epidemiological analyses to identify and document spread, assess risk factors, and generate models for geographic progression.
¿ Prepares detailed epidemiological reports and situation assessments for executive leadership, veterinarians, and external partners as needed, including disease timeline, transmission networks, and case summaries.
¿ Evaluates effectiveness of control measures and response interventions through epidemiological analysis of case trends, outcomes, and surveillance data.
¿ Develops and modifies surveillance and response protocols based on realtime epidemiological findings and evolving outbreak scenarios.
¿ Collaborates with laboratory partners to ensure appropriate specimen collection, transport, and diagnostic support for outbreak investigations.
¿ Provides advice and guidance regarding epidemiological information to emergency coordinators regarding quarantine zones, movement restrictions, and containment area determination.
¿ Monitors and maintains epidemiological databases and information systems for recording case details, geographic location, animal demographics, clinical findings, and investigation outcomes
¿ Participates in national and international disease surveillance information sharing networks and reporting systems
¿ Reviews epidemiology operations for communicating data and information to executive leadership, veterinarians, and external partners, etc.
¿ May assists with containment and eradication activities, including sterile insect technique (SIT) coordination, quarantine enforcement, and movement restrictions for emergency management.
¿ Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

¿ Master¿s Degree, PhD, MD, OR DVM in Public Health, Veterinary Epidemiology or Entomology with a Certificate in Public Health, Science or related field OR equivalent certification in Public Health (CPH) by National Board of Public Health Examiners.

¿ Three (3) years¿ experience in the field of epidemiology, veterinary disease surveillance, and/or veterinary regulatory/foreign animal or vector borne disease control and prevention.
¿ Experience investigating infectious disease outbreaks in livestock or wildlife populations.

Education and experience may be substituted for one another on a yearforyear basis.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws related to the program area; public administration techniques; training and marketing techniques; and program management processes and techniques. Skill in identifying measures or indicators of program performance and in the use of a computer and applicable software. Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts; to devise solutions to problems; to market programs; to prepare reports; to develop, evaluate, and interpret policies and procedures; and to communicate effectively. Knowledge of management techniques; statistical analysis processes; budget processes; and research techniques. Ability to provide guidance to others.

Other Requirements: Must have a valid Texas driver¿s license and safe driving record. Employment of selected candidate is contingent upon the receipt of an acceptable criminal background check and an acceptable moving violation record from the Texas Department of Public Safety. Must have reliable transportation. Mileage reimbursed at current allowance rate.

At time of hire, selected applicants must show proof of eligibility to work in the U.S. in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act. Proof of eligibility to work in the U.S. will be confirmed using EVerify. All males who are age 18 through 25 and required to register with the Selective Service must present proof of registration or exemption from registration upon hire.

IMPORTANT: The TAHC is an emergency response agency. This position plays a key role in the agency¿s emergency management activities. As a first responder, this position is subject to participate in rotating temporary duty assignments away from the regular designated headquarters for up to two weeks at a time. This duty may involve working in adverse conditions; may require irregular working hours and overtime; and, may include duties other than those specified in the standard position description.

How to Apply: To submit your application for employment, select Apply Online. Create and/or Login to your online applicant profile and electronically submit your State of Texas Application for Employment. All applications must contain complete work experience, including job title, dates, employer, supervisor's contact information and a description of duties performed. If this information is not submitted, your application may be rejected and be considered incomplete. Resumes do not take the place of this required information, however, may serve as supplemental information.

Veterans, Reservist or Guardsmen with an MOS or additional duties that fall in the fields related to the minimum requirements may meet the minimum qualifications for this position and are highly encouraged to apply. Additional Military Crosswalk information can be accessed at: Texas State Auditor's Office Job Descriptions

An Equal Opportunity Employer

The Texas Animal Health Commission is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation or disability in employment or in the provision of services. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, any requests for reasonable accommodation needed during the application process should be communicated by the applicant to our Human Resources Department (512) 7190700. For a telecommunications relay service for the hearing impaired, please dial 711.