This training is intended to provide learners with several ways that they can utilize CSTE’s Applied Epidemiology Competencies (AECs) for the recruitment and retention of epidemiologists and/or their own professional development. Topics include how to create competency-based job descriptions and interview questions, how to identify necessary additional skills and develop a training plan to acquire them, how to develop career advancement portfolios, and how to use the AECs toolkit materials to accomplish these goals. This training was published in May of 2024. 

Lesson 1: Competency-based Job Descriptions

By the end of the lesson, participants will be able to:

1. Create robust, competency-based job descriptions using CSTE's Applied Epidemiology Competencies (AECs).

Lesson 2: Competency-based Interviews

By the end of the lesson, participants will be able to:

1. Develop interview questions to assess the knowledge, skills, and abilities of interviewees based on CSTE's Applied Epidemiology Competencies (AECs).

Lesson 3: Training Plans, Recruitment, and Retention

By the end of the lesson, participants will be able to:

1. Identify opportunities for staff to build skills identified in their training plan/individual professional development plan (IPDP).

Lesson 4: Career Advancement Portfolios

By the end of the lesson, participants will be able to:

1. Assist staff with developing their career advancement portfolios.
2. Assist in the creation of organizational career development paths.

This training series about the 2023 Applied Epidemiology Competencies (AECs) toolkit materials was supported by Cooperative Agreement number NU38OT000297 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The contents of this training are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the CDC. The training was primarily written by Dr. Julianne L. Baron of Science and Safety Consulting, LLC with support from CSTE staff members Sarah Auer and Dr. Jessica Arrazola.

The Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) acknowledges their members and partners who participated in review and suggested revision to these lessons.

• 3.3 – Communication Skills – Facilitates accessible communication among individuals, groups, and organizations
• 5.1 – Management and Finance Skills – Describes factors that affect the financial and operational health of the organization
• 5.3 – Management and Finance Skills – Manages operational and financial resources for epidemiologic activities
• 5.5 – Management and Finance Skills – Manages human capital 
• 6.2 – Leadership and Systems Thinking Skills – Engages in change management
• 6.3 – Leadership and Systems Thinking Skills – Engages in performance management of self and other team members
• 6.4 – Leadership and Systems Thinking Skills – Manages workforce development
• 7.2 – Policy Development and Program Planning Skills – Evaluates programs, policies, services, laws, and organizational performance

Course Links:

CSTE Learn Course 1: https://learn.cste.org/courses/course/introduction-to-the-applied-epidemiology-competencies-aecs 

CSTE AECs: https://www.cste.org/group/CSTECDCAEC

CSTE Workforce Development: https://www.cste.org/page/webflow-workforce

CSTE Evaluation Tools: