Working Title: Birth Defect Epidemiologist Senior - Epidemiologist Senior
Job Class: Epidemiologist Senior
Agency: Health Department
Job ID : 96409
Location : St. Paul
Telework Eligible : Yes
Full/Part Time : Full-Time
Regular/Temporary : Temporary Unclassified - Anticipated to end 04/30/2028
Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers
Date Posted : 08/19/2026
Closing Date : 09/01/2026
Hiring Agency : Health Department
Division/Unit : Child and Family Health Division / Birth Defects Monitoring and Analysis Unit
Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift / 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Days of Work : Monday - Friday
Travel Required : Yes - Up to 25% of the time
Salary Range: $35.30 - $52.35 / hourly; $73,706 - $109,306 / annually
Classified Status : Unclassified
Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - MN Association of Professional Employees/MAPE
End Date : April 30, 2028
FLSA Status : Exempt - Professional
Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : No
The work you'll do is more than just a job.
At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.
The Birth Defects Epidemiologist Senior is located in the Birth Defects Monitoring and Analysis (BDMA) unit, which resides in the Children and Youth with Special Health Needs (CYSHN) section, within the division of Child and Family Health (CFH).
The Birth Defects Epidemiologist Senior provides necessary epidemiological capacity for the development, implementation, and maintenance of the Birth Defects Information System. In working closely with the Birth Defects Epidemiologist Principal the Birth Defects Epidemiologist Senior will develop and implement plans for data collection, data linkage, quality control and evaluation for the birth defects surveillance system, including database management, interoperability, reporting, and related projects. This position will provide analysis of birth defects data and synthesizing results into written reports, published papers and presentations ensure translation into meaningful action. Finally, this position also assists other section epidemiologists with analytical support for targeting intervention, prevention, and services for communities, patients, and their families.
This position is temporary in nature and could be ended at any time. The anticipated end date is April 30, 2028.
In accordance with HR/LR Policy #1422 Telework, this position is eligible for up to 50% telework for applicants who live in Minnesota or in a bordering state within 50 miles of the assigned work location. Candidates residing outside of Minnesota further than 50 miles of the assigned work location at the time of application must be able to relocate to Minnesota within 30 days of their start date. The telework policy may exempt employees who live more than 50 miles from their primary work location from the 50% in-office requirement, depending on job requirements, helping the State of Minnesota access top talent across the state.
Minimum Qualifications
Four (4) years of experience in pregnancy related risk and protective factors, conditions, and birth outcomes, including birth defects or another closely related Maternal and Child Health field as it relates to designing and conducting epidemiologic investigations and/or surveillance. Experience must include the following:
Experience in designing, maintaining, and evaluating public health surveillance systems, including the establishment of quality assurance/quality control programs, and evaluation of such programs, using the CDC's Guidelines for Evaluating Public Health Surveillance Systems or similar tools.
Experience writing and preparing grants, contract proposals and reports.
Experience using statistical programming such as R, SAS, Stata or another closely related program.
Degree Equivalencies
A related degree may substitute for experience as follows: Doctorate or JD may substitute for two (2) years of experience. A master's degree may substitute for eighteen (18) months of experience. A bachelor's degree may substitute for one (1) year of experience. An associate's degree may substitute for six (6) months of experience.
Preferred Qualifications
Knowledge of and experience in basic visual analytics such as Tableau or Power BI; and geographic analysis/GIS and mapping.
Working knowledge of the general nature and objectives of Maternal and Child Health public health and Title V programs.
Thorough knowledge of Minnesota Department of Health functions, policies, and procedures.
Knowledge, skill and experience in establishing culturally competent public health programs and working with diverse populations.
Knowledge of vital records, administrative datasets, and Electronic Health Records (EHR) including data elements and reporting needs; newborn screening and public health genomics; and conducting epidemiological investigations of pediatric chronic diseases and their short- and long-term treatment/intervention outcomes.
Additional Requirements
This employment does not require a valid driver's license, but it does demand travel, which the candidate will be responsible for meeting.
This position requires successful completion of a background check and employment reference check.
MDH does not participate in the federal E-Verify program and is unable to sponsor applicants for work visas, including F-1 STEM OPT extensions, and cannot complete Form I-9 or any other documentation requiring employer participation in E-Verify. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.
Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us . Please indicate what assistance is needed.
