This position is designated as Hybrid (In-Office and Remote)

For more information, visit the link below:
https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/program-areas/careers/08%2012%202025%20Epi%202%20job%20ad.pdf

 

Background Check: This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you may be required to provide information about your criminal history in order to be considered for this position.

Who we are and what we do:

Who we are and how we impact Tennessee: TDH incorporates our values into the work we do each day to achieve our mission, live our vision and address our strategic priorities. 

Mission: Protect, promote, and improve the health and well-being of all people in Tennessee. 

Vision: Healthy People Healthy Communities Healthy Tennessee 

Our Values: Trust Compassion Service Excellence 

Strategic Priorities: Prevention Access Efficiency Engagement Equity Workforce Excellence Innovation

Job Overview:

The Tennessee Department of Health's (TDH) Environmental Epidemiology Program (EEP) is recruiting an environmental scientist to our small, diverse team to investigate potentially hazardous sites statewide. This Epidemiologist 2 will prepare health risk assessments and health education materials under our cooperative agreement with the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). The incumbent will scrutinize air, water, soil, and soil gas data to make conclusions and recommendations to protect public health. As a member of our TDH EEP team, the incumbent will work independently and cooperatively with other environmental scientists within our central office in downtown Nashville. This is a hybrid work position requiring at least two in-office days per week.

Key Responsibilities:

Related to environmental health risk assessment, this Epidemiologist 2 will: 

• Eliminate environmental hazards from communities by investigating waste sites, spills, or other environmental public health concerns. 
• Provide technical expertise about potential health risks from chemical exposure. 
• Write scientifically accurate public health consultations and assessments providing conclusions, recommendations, and a public health action plan. 
• Prepare responses to environmental consultants seeking information about properties in Tennessee for Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessments. 
• Engage with communities at meetings organized by our program, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, and/or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 
• Become a statewide environmental health risk assessment subject matter expert and stay abreast of emerging environmental concerns. 
• Maintain OSHA HAZWOPER training to make site visits and to assist with incident command operations for events with an environmental public health response. 

Related to environmental health education, this Epidemiologist 2 will: 

• Interact with people at public meetings and public availability sessions about hazardous sites to understand and respond to their health concerns. 
• Prepare fact sheets and webpages to explain complex sites and environmental health topics in plain language. 
• Prepare presentations, exhibits, posters, and other educational materials to help the public understand potential health risks from hazardous sites. 
• Protect the health of young children by screening places of early learning and education as part of our Choose Safe Places (CSP) program. 
• Respond to questions from the public about environmental issues in their homes by telephone, email and maintaining our Healthy Homes Website.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education and Experience: The minimum qualifications for this level will be a master's degree in geology, hydrogeology, environmental science, environmental epidemiology, environmental public health, or toxicology. 

OR 

Substitution of Experience for Education: A bachelor's degree in an environmental health science, geological science, hydrogeology, environmental science, or toxicology field with five years' work experience in the chosen field. 

OR 

Substitution of Education for Experience: A doctorate degree in an environmental health science, geological science, toxicology, or environmental science field.

Degrees must be from an accredited college or university. A transcript evaluation is required for degrees earned outside of the United States. Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. Work visa sponsorship is not available for this position. A background check may be performed. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

1. A well-matched candidate will have a master's degree with a minimum of 3-years of work experience as an environmental consultant, state or federal environmental program regulator, environmental risk assessor, toxicologist, or have been involved in similar work. 
2. Experience in public health, emergency preparedness, data analysis, or geographic information systems is desirable but not required. 
3. A good candidate would be a well-organized, detail-oriented problem solver with strong written and verbal communication skills. 
4. They would be flexible with project work, able to complete complex projects, and interact professionally in-person with coworkers, other government agencies, and the public. 
5. This position requires competence in the use of MS Office computer software. 
6. Knowledge of ATSDR's PHAST and ArcGIS Pro would be an advantage but not required.