Temporary Field Epidemiologist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $6,585.00 - $12,920.00 Monthly
Location : New Orleans, LA
Job Type: Classified
Job Number: OPH/PTT/225133
Department: LDH-Office of Public Health
Opening Date: 08/21/2026
Closing Date: 9/20/2026 11:59 PM Central
About this Job
The mission of the Louisiana Department of Health is to protect and promote health and to ensure access to medical, preventive, and rehabilitative services for all residents of the State of Louisiana.
Learn more about Louisiana Department of Health
The Louisiana Department of Health's Office of Public Health is seeking an experienced, mission-driven leader to serve as Director of the Bureau of Infectious Diseases. In this role, the incumbent will lead Louisiana's fight against infectious disease, overseeing a budget of more than $150 million and a team of over 400 staff across critical programs including STI, HIV, tuberculosis, immunizations, infectious disease epidemiology and environmental epidemiology. The incumbent will drive statewide policy development, coordinate emergency response efforts, and champion innovative public health strategies in partnership with federal, state, and community stakeholders. This is an opportunity to lead high-impact, statewide public health work that protects the health of millions of Louisianans.
Minimum Qualifications
Eight years of experience in developing, managing, or evaluating health or social service programs; or in public health, public relations, social services, health services, health regulation, or administrative services; OR
Six years of full-time work experience in any field plus five years of experience in developing, managing, or evaluating health or social service programs; or in public health, public relations, social services, health services, health regulation, or administrative services; OR
A bachelor's degree plus five years of experience in developing, managing, or evaluating health or social service programs; or in public health, public relations, social services, health services, health regulation, or administrative services; OR
An advanced degree or a Juris Doctorate plus four years of experience in developing, managing, or evaluating health or social service programs; or in public health, public relations, social services, health services, health regulation, or administrative services.
EXPERIENCE SUBSTITUTION:
Every 30 semester hours earned from an accredited college or university will be credited as one year of experience towards the six years of full-time work experience in any field. The maximum substitution allowed is 120 semester hours which substitutes for a maximum of four years of experience in any field.
Job Specification
The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.
Job Duties and Other Information
Job Duties:

• Lead and manage 21 infectious disease programs with over 400 staff, including direct supervision of the State Epidemiologist and key program managers across HIV/STD/Hepatitis, TB, Immunization, Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Environmental Epidemiology.
• Develop and implement comprehensive statewide policies, long-range plans, and protocols that ensure compliance with medical standards and state and federal regulations.
• Coordinate and collaborate with internal OPH bureaus, state agencies, and community partners to maximize program reach, resolve issues, and strengthen public health responses.
• Oversee emergency response activities related to infectious diseases, including pandemic outbreaks, directing statewide preparedness and crisis management efforts.
• Provide expert advice to senior leadership on communicable disease trends, program effectiveness, and strategic priorities, including support for legislative testimony and policy development.
• Manage a budget of more than $150 million, allocating resources effectively across programs, approving financial adjustments, and ensuring fiscal accountability aligned with program goals.

Position-Specific Details:
Location: Office of Public Health / Bureau of Infectious Diseases / Orleans Parish
Appointment Type: This position may be filled as aProbationary, a Promotional, or a Job appointment (temporary appointment that may last up to 48 months)
Cost Center: 3262107645
Position Number(s): 50513305
How To Apply:
No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.
To apply for this vacancy, click on the "Apply" link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.
* Information to support your eligibility for the position must be included in the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education). Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.
For information on how to check your application status and understand status updates, please click HERE
Contact Information:
Paul Tran
LA Department of Health (LDH)
Division of Human Resources
PO Box 4818
Baton Rouge, LA 70821225-342-6477
This organization participates in E-verify, and for more information on E-verify, please contact DHS at 1-888-464-4218.
LDH supports Louisiana's commitment to being a State as a Model Employer (SAME) by promoting the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.
Information on the Louisiana Works, Louisiana Rehabilitation Services is available here.
LDH is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to recruit a highly productive and diverse workforce and will provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and prospective employees. Employment decisions shall be based strictly on merit and without regard to religious or political beliefs, sex, race, or any other non-merit factor.
Louisiana State Government represents a wide variety of career options and offers an outstanding opportunity to make a difference through public service. With an array of career opportunities in every major metropolitan center and in many rural areas, state employment provides an outstanding option to begin or continue your career.
As a state employee, you will earn competitive pay, choose from a variety of benefits, and have access to a great professional development program:
Insurance Coverage More information can be found at
Parental Leave - Up to six weeks paid parental leave
More information can be found at
Holidays and Leave - State employees receive the following paid holidays each year:

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,
• Mardi Gras,
• Good Friday,
• Memorial Day,
• Independence Day,
• Labor Day,
• Veteran's Day,
• Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

***** Additional holidays may be proclaimed by the Governor
State employees earn sick and annual leave which can be accumulated and saved for future use. Your accrual rate increases as your years of service increase.
Retirement- State of Louisiana employees are eligible to participate in various retirement systems (based on the type of appointment and agency for which an employee works). These retirement systems provide retirement allowances and other benefits for state officers and employees and their beneficiaries. State retirement systems may include (but are not limited to):

• Louisiana State Employees Retirement System (). LASERS has provided this video to give you more detailed information about their system
• Teacher's Retirement System of Louisiana (),
• Louisiana School Employees Retirement System (), among others

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