Wastewater Epidemiologist II - 61111116

Salary: $61,914.00 - $103,200.00 Annually
Location : Lexington County, SC
Job Type: Temporary Grant - Full-Time
Job Number: 194992
Agency: Department of Public Health
Division: Health Promotion and Services
Opening Date: 11/06/2026
Closing Date: 11/20/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Class Code:: EB43
Position Number::
Normal Work Schedule:: Monday - Friday (8:30 - 5:00)
Pay Grade: CLN09
Hiring Range - Min.: $61,914.00
Hiring Range - Max.: $103,200.00

Under limited supervision of the Unit Manager for the Surveillance and Epidemiology Practice (SEP) Unit in the Communicable Disease Epidemiology Section (CDES), the Wastewater Epidemiologist II serves as the lead epidemiologist and data analyst for South Carolina's wastewater-based epidemiology program and must be able to function with a high degree of independence and discretionary judgment. This position is responsible for professional, scientific, and epidemiological assessments of considerable difficulty. Responsibilities entail developing the program to include expanding surveillance through additional sites and methods leading to increased actionable data and resources. The Employee will provide support to CDES and the South Carolina Public Health Laboratory (PHL) for surveillance and response activities related to communicable diseases. Employee will support programs and services in Central Office and at the service area level. This Employee will supervise both the Wastewater Team's Epidemiologist I and Program Coordinator II positions.

• Serve as lead epidemiologist and data analyst for South Carolina's wastewater-based epidemiology program, bringing expertise in modeling, forecasting and data visualization. Designing, implementing and evaluating Wastewater Program surveillance activities.

• Responsible for the analysis and dissemination of wastewater data, including accompanying sequence data, in dashboards to drive public health action by the agency, participating wastewater treatment facilities, local partners (cities and counties) and the public.

• Work with PHL staff to develop tools for quality control, and data validation.

• Provide supervision and direction for wastewater epidemiologist I and wastewater program coordinator.

• Communications with CDC and North Carolina Wastewater Center of Excellence to expand water-based epidemiology resources.

• Participates in the CDES on-call rotation and in outbreak response activities to public health service areas and central office response coordination.
  Participates in the development of CDES policies guidance documents and other resources.

• Performs other related duties and special projects as assigned, including required travel if requested, and responds as directed during emergencies which may occur outside normal work hours, and travel if requested.

Agency standard working hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Flexibility in work hours may be required, including evenings and weekends. Limited overnight travel may also be necessary. Must possess a valid driver's license. Work will occur in an office environment, either in a DPH building or via teleworking. During times of emergency response (i.e. hurricane sheltering) participation may be required.

Minimum and Additional Requirements
State Minimum Requirements: Master's degree in public health, epidemiology, biostatistics, or a closely related field and relevant working experience. A Doctoral degree in epidemiology, or advanced training in applied epidemiology, such as the Public Health Prevention Specialist Program at the CDC may substitute for experience.

Agency Additional Requirements: Knowledge of methods of epidemiological design, data collection, data analysis, and presentation of information. Knowledge of advanced descriptive statistical methods. Ability to present information in written and oral form. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
Any equivalent combination of education and/or experience that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered in meeting the minimum qualifications, subject to approval by the DPH Chief Human Resources Officer, or their delegate.
Applicants indicating college credit or degree(s) on the application may upload an unofficial copy of the transcript as an attachment to the application. Please note that the agency will require an official, certified copy of the transcript or diploma prior to hiring. Institutions of Higher Learning must be recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Preferred Qualifications
Previous experience with wastewater surveillance. Statistical Analysis System (SAS), R Certification, and/or Python Certification or similar Analysis Systems. Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Associate Certification (PL-300). ArcGIS Certification
Additional Comments

The South Carolina Department of Public Health offers an exceptional benefits package for Temporary Grant positions that includes:

• 15 days Annual (Vacation) Leave per year
• 15 days Sick Leave per year
• 13 Paid Holidays
• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouse, and children. Click here for additional information.
• S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available (S.C. Deferred Compensation)
• Retirement benefit choices*
• State Retirement Plan? (SCRS)
• State Optional Retirement Program? (State ORP)

*Enrollment in one of the listed plans is required for all FTE employees; please refer to the contribution section of hyperlinked retirement sites for the current contribution rate of gross pay.

HYBRID WORK: The option to work partially remote or adjusted work hours may be available after 12 months of employment for approved positions.
Benefits for State Employees
The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.

Insurance Benefits
Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.

Retirement Benefits
State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.

Workplace Benefits
State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.

Note: The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.
01

Employment Authorization and Visa Sponsorship Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and must maintain valid work authorization throughout the duration of their employment. This agency does not sponsor employment-based visas, including but not limited to H-1B visas, nor does it provide sponsorship for permanent residency or other employment-based immigration benefits now or in the future. Individuals who are authorized to work in the United States under Optional Practical Training (OPT) through a valid F-1 student visa may apply, provided they possess current employment authorization and do not require employer sponsorship to continue working in the United States at any point during employment. All offers of employment are contingent upon verification of identity and eligibility to work in the United States in accordance with federal law. This agency complies with all applicable federal employment eligibility verification requirements. By submitting this application, I certify that I am legally authorized to work in the United States and will not require employer sponsorship for a work visa now or at any time during employment.

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have a Master's degree in public health, epidemiology, biostatistics, or a closely related field and relevant working experience. A Doctoral degree in epidemiology, or advanced training in applied epidemiology, such as the Public Health Prevention Specialist Program at the CDC may substitute for experience?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have knowledge of methods of epidemiological design, data collection, data analysis, and presentation of information?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you have knowledge of advanced descriptive statistical methods?

• Yes
• No

05

Do you have the ability to present information in written and oral form?

• Yes
• No

06

Do you have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others?

• Yes
• No

07

Do you have previous experience with wastewater surveillance?

• Yes
• No

08

Do you have knowledge of Statistical Analysis System (SAS), R Certification, and/or Python Certification or similar Analysis Systems?

• Yes
• No

09

Do you know how to operate Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Associate Certification (PL-300)?

• Yes
• No

10

Do you have an ArcGIS Certification?

• Yes
• No

11

Have you conducted analysis and reported out findings on wastewater data during your academic or professional experiences?

• Yes
• No

12

If yes, please include your targets and describe your analysis, the statistical tools you used and method of reporting.
13

Have you had supervisory experience?

• Yes
• No

14

Have you designed and led a team implementing wastewater surveillance activities from start to finish including its evaluation?

• Yes
• No

15

If yes, please describe the project and your role.
16

Which of the following best describes your relevant work experience?

• No relevant experience
• 1 - 2 Years
• 3 - 5 Years
• 5+ Years
• Equivalent combination of education and experience

17

Are you willing to accept a salary between $61,914 and $82,000?

• Yes
• No

18

Are you currently working for or have ever worked for South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) or South Carolina Department of Public Health (SCDPH)?

• Yes
• No

19

Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. The application and not an attached resume will be reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for