VBD Surveillance Data Analysis Intern

Pay Grade:

Intern Click HERE for Video Who We Are. We protect lives. The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is the lead agency entrusted by the people of Georgia to protect lives and promote healthy lifestyles in communities throughout the state. We are committed to preventing disease, injury, and disability; promoting health and well-being; and preparing for and responding to disasters. What We Offer. As a member of the DPH team, you will join a group of passionate individuals dedicated to serving Georgians. Regardless of your role, you will contribute to protecting lives while enjoying a wide range of benefits. Make a Professional Impact

• Build your career where it matters and protect lives in the community where you live, work, and play. Enjoy Workplace Flexibility
• Experience flexibility in how you work so you can be your best self for you and the people of Georgia. Work with a Dynamic and Diverse Team
• Collaborate with employees who share ideas and leverage collective strengths. Achieve Career Longevity
• Take advantage of opportunities for learning and development that support a long-term career. Take Part in a Hands-on Working Culture
• Work in a unique culture of active engagement and problem-solving, no matter your role. Feel Pride in Where you Work
• Be part of making an impact in public health alongside dedicated people just like yourself.

Eligibility:

Agnes Scott College•

Bevier Summer Public Health Internship Recipients Commitment:

8 weeks

Location:

Remote / Hybrid (Atlanta, GA preferred)

Compensation:

Paid for through the Bevier internship program About the Program The Georgia Department of Public Health's Vectorborne Disease Epidemiology Program conducts statewide surveillance of tick-borne and other vector-borne diseases, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ehrlichiosis, and Anaplasmosis. This internship contributes directly to Georgia's public health disease surveillance infrastructure. Position Summary The VBD Surveillance Data Analysis Intern will support epidemiological analyses of tick-borne disease surveillance data in Georgia. Under the supervision of a Vectorborne Disease Epidemiologist II, the intern will conduct a descriptive analysis of cases closed as Deleted or Suspect status—sometimes referred to as lost-to-follow-up (LTFU). This work will contribute to ongoing efforts to assess data quality and completeness in Georgia's disease surveillance system. The intern will work with de-identified case-level data provided in CSV format and will produce descriptive summaries, visualizations, and a written report suitable for inclusion in the program's annual summary. Key Responsibilities Conduct descriptive analyses of tick-borne disease cases closed as Deleted or Suspect status across eight reportable diseases Calculate frequencies, proportions, and temporal trends by disease, year, county, and demographic variables Create clean, labeled visualizations and tables suitable for public health reporting Draft a written methods and findings summary in plain language Document analysis steps to support reproducibility Participate in regular check-ins with the supervising epidemiologist Diseases Covered The analysis will span the following eight reportable tick-borne diseases: Anaplasma Phagocytophilum Ehrlichia Lyme Disease Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Required Qualifications Current enrollment at Agnes Scott College's Bevier Summer Public Health Internship Program Ability to work independently and meet deadlines with limited supervision Strong written communication skills Preferred Qualifications Coursework or experience in public health, epidemiology, or a related field Familiarity with disease surveillance concepts Experience writing literature reviews or research summaries Interest in pursuing graduate study in public health or a related discipline Experience with data analysis using Excel Ability to create charts, tables, or summary visualizations Learning Outcomes By the end of this internship, students will be able to: Describe the structure and purpose of a public health disease surveillance system Apply basic epidemiological methods to analyze surveillance data and identify trends Produce clear data visualizations and written summaries for a public health audience Articulate challenges related to data completeness and lost-to-follow-up in notifiable disease reporting Demonstrate professional skills including documentation, communication, and project management Supervision and Structure The intern will report directly to the Vectorborne Disease Epidemiologist II. Check-ins will be scheduled regularly and will taper in frequency as the intern becomes more independent. The intern will not have access to GDPH surveillance systems and will work exclusively with de-identified data provided in CSV format. The DPH Commissioner and agency leaders encourage all employees to engage in regular wellness activities and to make lifestyle choices that promote health and well-being. The use of physical activity breaks during the workday is authorized to support this philosophy and help employees meet their wellness goals. A maximum of 30 minutes of physical activity may be allocated per workday, typically in the form of two 15-minute breaks or one 30-minute break. Employment Information State of Georgia employees are subject to the rules of the State Personnel Board regarding salary. DPH accepts educational credentials recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and/or the US Department of Education (DOE) as valid. DPH will contact educational institutions to verify degrees, diplomas, licensures, and other relevant credentials. The candidate selected for this position may be subject to pre-employment drug screening and a criminal background check. Relocation assistance is not provided. In the event of an identified emergency, you may be required, as a term and condition of DPH employment, to assist in meeting the emergency responsibilities of the department. ADA Statement DPH is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for the application or interview process, email DPH-HR@dph.ga.gov . DPH is an Equal Opportunity Employer ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information on application status by phone or e-mail. All qualified applicants will be considered, but may not receive an interview. DPH will contact selected applicants to proceed with the application process. Applicants who are not selected will not receive notification. This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified.

BENEFITS

Standard Benefits for Full-Time Salaried Employees In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a generous benefits package that includes a flexible schedule, training opportunities, health insurance, employee retirement plan (ERS GSEPS), deferred compensation, 13 paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, paid parental leave, dental, vision, long-term care, and life insurance. Standard Benefits for Part-Time Employees Part-time employees are eligible to participate in the Georgia Defined Contribution Plan and receive paid parental leave.