Supervisor/Team Lead for Case Investigation and Contact Tracing COVID-19 

Response Template Job Description

Introduction: 

Case investigation and contact tracing is the process of working with a person (patient) who has been diagnosed 

with an infectious disease to identify and provide support to other people (contacts) who have been exposed 

through close contact with the patient. This process is a core disease control measure that has been employed by 

health department personnel for decades and is a key strategy for preventing the spread of COVID-19. The Case 

Investigator and Contact Tracing Supervisor or Team Lead provides direction, support, and supervision 

for a team of staff who conduct disease intervention activities with people (patients) with probable, 

suspected, and laboratory-confirmed diagnoses of COVID-19, AND people (contacts), who may have 

been exposed to the virus, through close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19. 

Position Summary:

The contact tracing supervisor/team lead is an experienced public health professional providing support to a health 

department in the fight against COVID-19. The supervisor or team lead is responsible for the supervision, direction, 

training, and continuous assessment of a case investigation and contact tracing team or unit assigned to their 

designated health jurisdiction. It is preferred that the supervisor or team lead possesses an advanced understanding 

of the principles of case investigation and contact tracing and can guide the team regarding messaging, creative 

problem solving, and other interventions for patients and contacts to interrupt ongoing disease transmission. The 

supervisor or team lead directs the performance of day-to-day disease intervention activities, ensuring that the 

quality and timeliness of work is performed according to established guidelines. 

They conduct quality assurance and performance monitoring, ensuring that team members’ efforts are aligned with 

standard operating procedures for collection of epidemiological data, instructions for quarantine and isolation, and 

linking clients to clinical and social support services. The supervisor or team lead ensures compliance with policies and 

procedures of the health department regarding confidentiality and data security for the handling of sensitive client 

information and protected health information. They collaborate with health department staff and other key partners to 

evaluate program activities, identify best practices and lessons learned and facilitate program enhancements. 

Essential Functions, include but are not limited to: 

• Collaborates with surveillance, epidemiology and clinical staff and other health officials in establishing priorities 

for case investigation and contact tracing, appropriate triage protocols for incoming laboratory and provider 

reports, and evaluation and monitoring of case investigation and contact tracing activities and outcomes.

• Directs the assignment of disease intervention activities, collaborating with surveillance triage staff to 

ensure the equitable assignment of priority cases and contacts for investigation. Monitors progress to 

ensure investigations are completed in a timely manner. Conducts workload assessments and adjusts work 

assignments as necessary. Facilitates inter-jurisdictional coordination of information to ensure the continuity of 

case investigation and contact tracing.

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• Coordinates orientation and training of new 

hires/contractors/volunteers and existing case 

investigation and contact tracing staff. Ensures 

completion of role-specific knowledge and 

skill-based training courses, familiarity and 

proficiency with relevant guidance and scripts 

for interactions with patients and contacts, 

as well as surveillance and data management 

systems. Provides modeling and coaching of 

effective interview techniques and conducts 

dual interviews and interview observations, 

providing timely feedback. Provides guidance 

on expectations for thorough investigation 

and documentation procedures and criteria for 

closure of case and contact follow-up activities. 

• Provides ongoing coaching, and mentorship 

and facilitates training for case investigation and 

contact tracing staff to enhance performance 

and prepare them for increased responsibilities. 

Activities include but are not limited to, 

creative problem solving around complex and 

atypical cases, clarifying proper procedure for 

documentation and closure, resolving challenges 

in locating patients and contacts or persuading 

clients to comply with recommendations for 

medical evaluation, testing, quarantine or isolation. 

Coordinates collaborative learning opportunities 

such as facilitating meetings to discuss lessons 

learned with both successful and poor outcomes 

of case investigations, notification of exposure and 

isolation/quarantine compliance and monitoring. 

• Ensures appropriate documentation of pertinent 

information on COVID-19 case investigation 

and contact tracing forms, data entry into 

health department data/surveillance systems, 

and adherence to protocols for completeness, 

timeliness, and frequency.

• Conduct quality assurance of work activities and 

measure work outcomes through workload and 

skills assessment. Reviews case reports prepared by 

staff to ensure completeness and appropriateness 

of investigations and actions taken. Observes staff 

investigation and interview techniques to ensure 

work procedures and quality standards. Promptly 

discusses findings with employees and offers 

constructive feedback to improve or maximize 

levels of performance. 

• Confers with health jurisdiction management 

team regarding significant events that could 

impact program objectives (for example, potential 

outbreak situations, personnel issues, changes in 

health care facility’s policies/infrastructure, or other 

special circumstances).

• Collaborates in the collection, analysis, and 

evaluation of process and outcome measures related 

to case investigation and contact tracing activities 

and related program objectives. Conducts routine 

report generation and review of performance 

measures. Identifies new and revised work 

procedures with potential for improving operating 

efficiency. Collaborates with other local health 

jurisdictions and other relevant partners to discuss 

barriers and facilitators, make recommendations 

for improvement, jointly develop a plan of action to 

resolve systems issues and improve overall program 

effectiveness. Monitors quality improvement 

activities, providing feedback and training to 

redirect or realign priorities or resources as deemed 

necessary to achieve objectives. 

• Maintains open communication and works 

collaboratively with counterparts or liaisons 

within the health department and its relevant 

partner organizations to maximize opportunities 

for disease intervention and to further other 

mutual goals. Provides documentation (e.g., 

case investigation and contact tracing policies, 

procedures, outcomes) in standard reports and 

participates in regular program meetings and 

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other forums, providing updates on program 

activities, challenges and successes. Collaborates 

in initiatives to enhance the quality of contact 

tracing activities and program outcomes.

• Establishes protocols and procedures for routine 

administrative functions within assignment areas 

(e.g., coordinating schedules, employee time and 

attendance, proper use of equipment). Employs 

best practices in the management of virtual 

workforces and implements appropriate telework 

policies/procedures, including provisions for 

patient confidentiality and data security.

• Ensures adherence with all requisite trainings 

and requirements for maintenance of patient 

confidentiality and collection of information 

in concordance with local data privacy and 

confidentiality standards.

Work Environment and 

Physical Requirements

The position will require responding to public 

health emergencies with rapid turnaround times 

for communication, initiation and completion of 

assignments. The position will require daily use of a 

computer, telephone or cell phone, and access to a 

secure internet connection. This position may require 

moderate physical effort including lifting materials 

and equipment of less than 50 pounds and involves 

viewing a computer screen 50 to 75 percent of the 

time. The position may require both onsite observation 

and coaching of a team of case investigators and 

contact tracing staff in a workplace setting, and work 

from home, while complying with all requirements for 

client confidentiality, records and data security. If there 

is a need to support training and quality assurance of 

case investigation and contact tracing activities in the 

field (in person), the position will require appropriate 

training on infection prevention and control practices, 

and be provided any necessary personal protective 

equipment (PPE) prior to conducting in-person 

activities. The position may require working nonstandard hours (i.e., evenings, weekends). The position 

may require some travel and occasional participation in 

off-site functions. 

Required Qualifications/Skills: 

• High school diploma or General Education 

Development (GED) equivalent with four 

years of direct work experience conducting 

case investigation, contact tracing and other 

communicable disease investigation activities; or,

• Associate degree, with three years of direct 

work experience conducting case investigation, 

contact tracing and other communicable disease 

investigation activities; or,

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited 

college or university, with two years of direct 

work experience conducting case investigation, 

contact tracing and other communicable disease 

investigation activities. 

• Strong leadership, coaching and mentoring skills

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, 

including active listening and emotional intelligence

• Ability to interact in a non-judgmental manner 

with culturally diverse populations and persons 

experiencing a wide range of social conditions

• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills, 

and the ability to use sound judgment when 

responding to client issues and concerns

• Proficiency with MS Office 365 (i.e., outlook, word, 

powerpoint, excel)

• Ability to compile, analyze and present data for 

various audiences

• Ability to read and write in English

• Ability to adapt to changing environments and 

give and receive constructive feedback 

• Ability to identify performance challenges and 

appropriate solutions

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• Ability to use discretion, maintain confidentiality and ethical conduct

• Ability to work effectively with all levels of staff, establishing and maintaining collaborative professional relationships 

• Strong time management skills (e.g., organization, prioritization, multitasking)

• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team

• Proficiency with use of computers (desktop, laptop, tablet)

• Proficiency with use of mobile devices (smartphones, mobile apps) 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Four or more years of direct work experience conducting communicable disease investigation, case 

investigation/contact tracing/partner services 

• Experience in supervising or leading personnel carrying out health education, community outreach, linkage to 

care, or other public health efforts

• Experience in training, mentoring and coaching

• Bilingual skills—fluency in the primary language(s) of the geographic area and communities assigned to support.

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