Population Health Epidemiologist

JOB DETAILS AND QUALIFICATIONS

The Clackamas County Public Health Division is seeking a Population Health Epidemiologist to join our Data Team in the Center for Population Health (CPH).

The Population Health Epidemiologist is responsible for data, research and analysis support for program and policy initiatives within CPH and the division.

They also provide subject-matter expertise and data support for program areas across the tri-county region and among other county divisions and departments.

The Population Epidemiologist position will serve as a data and research consultant to County staff and partners, producing reports and publications using advanced statistical software packages.

They must possess a strong understanding of the social determinants of health and racial health equity, recognizing how their work promotes these concepts.

Required Minimum Qualifications / Transferrable Skills : *

• A Master’s degree by date of hire from an accredited school of Public Health, with an emphasis in epidemiology or biostatistics and additional completed coursework in research methodology, behavioral science, environmental sciences, survey methodology, and / or health services administration.
• A minimum of one (1) year of relevant experience in applied epidemiology and research in a public health environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of social determinants of health and health equity.
• Proficient programming in a statistical software package, either Statistical Analysis System (SAS) or R (Statistical Computing).
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of principle, methods and procedures of epidemiology, biostatistics, and population-based surveillance.
• Skill to establish and maintain cooperative relations with public and private social and health agencies.
• Experience preparing clear and concise reports, presentations, and data visualizations for multiple audiences.

Preferred Special Qualifications / Transferrable Skills : *

• Experience developing and implementing strategic public health surveillance approaches, data collection systems and data dashboards.
• Experience in the area of Climate and Health
• Proficiency in geospatial mapping systems including ArcGIS.
• Experience using data visualization software such as Tableau.
• Knowledge of data equity and data decolonization strategies.
• Knowledge of quantitative and qualitative data collection methods.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including MS Word, MS Excel, and MS Outlook.
• Experience planning, exercising or responding to public health emergencies.
• Skill to translate complex data and present to partners, team members and community members.
• Knowledge of causes, prevention and early detection of communicable and chronic disease.
• Knowledge of existing Oregon Statewide data sources (ORPHEUS, EPIC, ESSENCE etc.) and appropriate proxy data for epidemiological assessment and analysis.
• Knowledge of national population-based databases and surveys.
• Expertise in conducting epidemiological investigations, especially focusing on outbreaks of reportable disease.

Pre-Employment Requirements :

• Must pass post-offer, pre-employment drug test.
• Must pass a criminal history check which may include national or state fingerprint records check
• Driving is required for County business on a regular basis or to accomplish work. Incumbents must possess a valid driver's license, and possess and maintain an acceptable driving record throughout the course of employment.
• For Veterans qualified for Veteran’s Preference : If you believe you have skills that would transfer well to this position and / or special qualifications that relate to this position, please list those skills and / or qualifications in the open-ended question at the end of the application and explain how those skills and / or qualifications relate to this position.

TYPICAL TASKS

Duties may include but are not limited to the following :

• 1. Analyzes reportable disease data; develops plan to respond to and investigate communicable disease outbreaks; travels to outbreak sites as needed;
• provides assistance in the development and implementation of epidemiologic response exercises; compiles, maintains, and provides analysis for health care;

writes health status reports.

2. Conducts disease reporting, surveillance and quality assurance audits; researches community health and intervention needs and available resources;

recommends program changes; recommends design and management of surveillance systems for problems of public health importance.

3. Develops public health risk assessment models; makes recommendations for health policy changes based on findings from local epidemiologic studies and research.

4. Participates in and / or conducts disease outbreak and cluster investigations; participates in the identification of causative agents and environmental conditions contributing to the health issue and identifies corrective actions for morbidity and mortality in an appropriate and timely way;

submits appropriate documentation for human subjects review.

• 5. Acts as project lead when assigned; develops project definitions; estimates time to complete projects; organizes staff and resources;
• trains interviewers, data collectors and data entry operators in support activities for the conduction of investigations, research activities, evaluations and assessments;
• conducts seminars and training in epidemiologic methodology and investigative techniques for health division staff, local practitioners and professional meetings;

promotes cooperative team efforts among staff and with other County departments.

6. Prepares public health information releases in coordination with the health officer and management; provides public health data interpretation to the community and general public.

7. Prepares appropriate grant applications; acts as the principle investigator on grants received and develops opportunities for funded research.

8. Conducts community meetings and needs assessments; participates in statewide meetings; participates as a member of the Division’s team to support and promote efficient tracking and analysis of data;

conducts internal and community meetings.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Thorough Knowledge of : Federal, state and local infectious disease reporting requirements; research methodology and sampling frames;
• general principles of toxicology, microbiology, genetics, and biology; different methodologies for data collections (quantitative and qualitative);

data collection instrument development; analytic techniques to evaluate potential and relative risk.

• Working Knowledge of : Scientific inquiry; epidemiologic study design, including prevalence surveys, case control and cohort studies, and population sampling techniques;
• advanced statistical measurement (linear, multiple and logistic regression, factor analysis and discriminant function analysis, and confidence intervals);
• a variety of software products including word processing, graphics design, spreadsheets, data bases and statistical packages;

principles and practices of project management.

• Skill to : Maintain confidentiality and adhere to the highest of ethical and moral standards in the conduction of a scientific inquiry process;
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of differing perspectives and disciplines in and out of the Division;
• work autonomously with little or no direct supervision in the development and implementation of a project; demonstrate use of sound judgment in determining when to seek additional help;
• confer with community professionals about issues of public health significance; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
• communicate detailed verbal and written presentations; promote effective teamwork; develop, justify and ensure completion of project within budget, time and legal guidelines;

coordinate and review work of assigned project staff.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This position is at low risk for exposure to blood products, human biohazards, laboratory chemicals, toxic materials, or environmental hazards.

There is some risk of exposure to human infectious agents.

WORK SCHEDULE

This position is included in the County’s alternate workweek program, working 40 hours during a standard workweek of Monday through Thursday (Fridays off).

Specific hours of work will be discussed with the candidate selected for this position at the time an offer of employment is extended.

This position is eligible for hybrid on-site / telework subject to the and based on the Department’s business needs. The exact amount of on-site / telework and schedule will be discussed with the hiring manager during time of offer.

Telework locations cannot be located outside of Oregon or Washington. Washington residents must perform 50% of their time on-site at Clackamas County.