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Epidemiologists

SOC 19-1041.00Job Zone 5 · Extensive Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers the full scope of epidemiological practice — from entry-level data collection and field surveillance to executive leadership of national public health programs — within government agencies, academic research institutions, and healthcare systems.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Infectious disease surveillance data — collect and enter under direct supervision using established database systems in a public health agency setting.
  2. Peer-reviewed epidemiological literature — read and summarize to support senior investigators conducting disease investigations.
  3. Basic descriptive statistics — apply to calculate incidence and prevalence rates under guidance in a research or government health department context.
  4. Disease transmission modes and risk factors — recognize and document following standard protocols during field outbreak investigations.
  5. Standardized health status questionnaires — administer and review for completeness under supervision during community-based epidemiological studies.
  6. Incident reports for infectious diseases — prepare and submit to local and state health agencies following established reporting requirements.
  7. Geographic information system software — operate at a basic level to map disease occurrence data under the direction of a senior epidemiologist.
  8. Oral and written findings on disease patterns — present to internal teams using agency-approved templates and slide preparation tools.
  9. Study protocols — assist in reviewing and organizing background materials to support the design of human or animal disease investigations.
  10. Public health educational materials on communicable diseases — distribute and explain to community members or healthcare staff under supervisor guidance.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Epidemiological study data — analyze independently using analytical or scientific software to identify disease trends across a defined population.
  2. Disease outbreak investigations — conduct with reduced oversight, applying established case-definition criteria and risk-factor assessment methods in field settings.
  3. Surveillance system outputs — monitor routinely and produce periodic reports for state or local health agencies on notifiable infectious conditions.
  4. Health status questionnaires and sample selection criteria — review and refine in collaboration with study teams to ensure methodological rigor.
  5. Statistical models for disease incidence and risk — build and interpret using spreadsheet and data mining tools to inform public health program planning.
  6. Research findings on disease etiology — communicate to health practitioners and agency stakeholders through written briefs and oral presentations.
  7. Scientific manuscripts — draft for submission to peer-reviewed professional journals, incorporating feedback from senior epidemiologists and co-authors.
  8. Healthcare worker training sessions on infection prevention — develop and facilitate using evidence-based curricula within hospital or community health contexts.
  9. Systems analysis techniques — apply to evaluate the effectiveness of existing surveillance programs and identify gaps in data collection.
  10. GIS-based disease maps — produce and interpret to support spatial analysis of outbreak patterns across regional health jurisdictions.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Complex multi-variable epidemiological studies — design and direct autonomously, overseeing protocol development, sample selection, and statistical analysis plans.
  2. Non-routine or novel disease outbreaks — investigate end-to-end, determining causative agents, transmission pathways, and evidence-based containment strategies in dynamic field environments.
  3. Public health surveillance systems — manage and evaluate for accuracy, completeness, and timeliness across statewide or national data networks.
  4. Research evidence on disease prevention and treatment efficacy — synthesize and communicate to policy makers, translating complex findings into actionable public health recommendations.
  5. Study design and biostatistical methodologies — provide expert consultation on across interdisciplinary research teams addressing human and animal disease questions.
  6. Peer-reviewed journal articles on epidemiological findings — author as lead contributor, navigating the full submission and peer-review process for high-impact publications.
  7. Public health program performance — evaluate using systems evaluation frameworks, identifying outcome gaps and recommending data-driven improvements to agency leadership.
  8. Risk communication strategies — develop and deliver for diverse audiences including the general public, clinicians, and legislators during active disease events.
  9. Inductive and deductive reasoning — apply to synthesize disparate biological, behavioral, and environmental data into coherent disease etiology hypotheses.
  10. Advanced data mining and analytical software — employ to detect aberrant signals in large epidemiological datasets and guide hypothesis-driven follow-up investigations.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Organizational epidemiological research agendas — set and champion at the institutional or governmental level, aligning study priorities with emerging public health threats.
  2. Multi-agency public health programs — oversee at executive scale, integrating surveillance, health care planning, and population-level interventions across complex regulatory environments.
  3. National or international disease reporting frameworks — lead the design and governance of, establishing standards that guide state, federal, and global health agency partners.
  4. Junior and mid-level epidemiologists — mentor and develop through structured coaching, peer review of publications, and leadership opportunities on major investigations.
  5. Cross-sector partnerships — forge between public health agencies, academic institutions, and healthcare systems to coordinate large-scale disease prevention and response initiatives.
  6. Strategic risk communication policies — author and disseminate to synchronize messaging across government, media, and community stakeholders during high-consequence outbreak events.
  7. Cutting-edge epidemiological methodologies — evaluate, adopt, and disseminate across the field, influencing best practice standards through professional publications and policy guidance.
  8. Resource allocation and workforce planning — direct for epidemiological operations, making high-stakes judgments that shape organizational capacity to respond to novel disease threats.
  9. Legislative and regulatory bodies — advise on evidence-based public health policy, translating complex epidemiological science into actionable frameworks for disease control and prevention.
  10. Systems-level evaluation of national surveillance infrastructure — lead, identifying systemic vulnerabilities and driving transformational improvements to protect population health at scale.

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Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

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Sources:Pathsmith™ Durable SkillsPathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
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Show O*NET source anchors65 anchors · skillscrosswalk.com

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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Chronic Disease Epidemiologist · Clinical Epidemiologist · Clinical Lab Scientist (Clinical Laboratory Scientist) · Clinical Researcher · Communicable Diseases Specialist · Environmental Epidemiologist · Epidemiologist · Epidemiologist Researcher · Epidemiology Analyst · Epidemiology Investigator · Epidemiology Research Doctor · Histopathologist
RAPIDS apprenticeships
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O*NET skills
Critical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingReading ComprehensionJudgment and Decision MakingActive ListeningWritingSpeakingScienceSystems AnalysisSystems EvaluationActive LearningSocial PerceptivenessMathematicsCoordinationMonitoringLearning StrategiesTime ManagementInstructingService OrientationPersuasionManagement of Personnel ResourcesOperations Analysis
Knowledge domains
MathematicsBiologyMedicine and DentistryEnglish LanguageComputers and ElectronicsCommunications and MediaEducation and TrainingSociology and AnthropologyAdministration and Management
Abilities
Written ComprehensionInductive ReasoningOral ComprehensionOral ExpressionWritten ExpressionProblem SensitivityDeductive ReasoningFluency of IdeasSpeech ClarityCategory Flexibility
Work styles
Attention to DetailIntellectual CuriosityDependabilityIntegrityCautiousnessAdaptability
Technology
Data base user interface and query softwareAnalytical or scientific softwareData mining softwareGeographic information systemMap creation softwareWeb page creation and editing softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail softwarePresentation software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Communicate research findings on various types of diseases to health practitioners, policy makers, and the public.
  2. Oversee public health programs, including statistical analysis, health care planning, surveillance systems, and public health improvement.
  3. Investigate diseases or parasites to determine cause and risk factors, progress, life cycle, or mode of transmission.
  4. Educate healthcare workers, patients, and the public about infectious and communicable diseases, including disease transmission and prevention.
  5. Monitor and report incidents of infectious diseases to local and state health agencies.
  6. Plan and direct studies to investigate human or animal disease, preventive methods, and treatments for disease.
  7. Provide expertise in the design, management and evaluation of study protocols and health status questionnaires, sample selection, and analysis.
  8. Write articles for publication in professional journals.
CIP education codes
26.040126.050926.130926.131151.140151.2202

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me®, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.