Job description
Agency Department of Health Work unit Surveillance and Response Unit
Job title Epidemiologist and Surveillance Officer, Diphtheria Designation Professional 3
Job type Full time Duration Fixed for 12 months
Salary $117,625 - $131,735 Location Darwin
Position number 70262604 RTF 354359 Closing 27/08/2026
Contact officer Dr Bhavi Ravindran at [email protected]
About the agency http://www.health.nt.gov.au/
Apply online https://jobs.nt.gov.au/Home/JobDetails?rtfId=354359
APPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE A ONE-PAGE SUMMARY ABOUT YOU, A DETAILED RESUME AND COPIES OF YOUR
TERTIARY QUALIFICATIONS.
Information for applicants – inclusion and diversity and Special Measures recruitment plans
The NTPS values diversity. The NTPS encourages people from all diversity groups to apply for vacancies and accommodates
people with disability by making reasonable workplace adjustments. If you require an adjustment for the recruitment process or
job, please discuss this with the contact officer. For more information about applying for this position and the merit process, go
to the OCPE website.
Aboriginal applicants will be granted priority consideration for this vacancy. For more information on Special Measures plans, go
to the OCPE website.
Primary objective
Undertake Vaccine Preventable Disease surveillance, with a focus on diphtheria in the Northern Territory (NT); including the
preparation of surveillance reports, provision of statistical support and advice to the Surveillance and Response Unit and relevant
stakeholders, and the conduct of/contribution to relevant epidemiological research activities.
Key duties and responsibilities
1. Responsible for conducting surveillance, monitoring and analysing trends in relation to diphtheria and for producing timely,
regular and ad hoc surveillance reports for publication.
2. Conduct, in collaboration with other team members, real-time analysis of outbreak surveillance data and provide surveillance
updates and epidemiological reports and other statistical reports as required.
3. Provide technical guidance, support and monitor data systems for the Surveillance and Response Unit.
4. In consultation with the Section Head, Surveillance and Response, this position will conduct or contribute to research activities
to improve the understanding and monitoring of Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPD) in the NT and to assess the effectiveness
of education, prevention and treatment programs. This position will be particularly focused on the current diphtheria outbreak
in the NT.
5. Contribute to the overall work of the Surveillance and Response Unit by providing input to outbreak control activities and to
professional development activities where relevant.
6. Maintain relationships with local and national pathology laboratories, general practitioners and other health professionals to
provide VPD epidemiology information and support.
7. Contribute to the overall work of the surveillance section of the Centre for Disease Control where relevant and participate in
discussions around surveillance directions.
8. Follow defined service quality standards, work health and safety policies and procedures relating to the work being undertaken
in order to ensure high quality, safe services and workplaces.
Selection criteria
Essential
1. Tertiary qualification in public health or similar area.
2. Postgraduate qualifications, preferably in Public Health or Epidemiology with experience in epidemiological research.
3. Experience in database management/data analysis using complex programs e.g. Business Objects, STATA, PowerBI, R, Redcap.
4. Experience in disease surveillance and statistical analysis of surveillance data as well as interpreting epidemiological data to
inform policy and program directions.
5. Demonstrated high level oral and written communication skills, including report writing and project development skills.
6. Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
7. Experience working under pressure and acting responsively to meet deadlines.
Desirable
1. Understanding of Vaccine Preventable Disease issues particulars as they relate to the Northern Territory.
2. Current Driving license, and the ability and willingness to travel.
Further information
Positions may be subject to pre-employment checks such as immunisation requirements, working with children clearance notice
and criminal history checks. A criminal history will not exclude an applicant from this position unless it is a relevant criminal history.
For immunisation requirements - Category A (direct contact with blood or body substances) or Category B (indirect contact with
blood or body substances), check with contact person for requirements.
