Epidemiologist, (A246117-1), 210, Autism Surveillance

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Provide support for the operations and collaborations of the Autism Surveillance Division
• Use standardized Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network methodology to conduct surveillance among children in Webb County and future surveillance areas
• Use population-based methods to identify all children with developmental disabilities from the entire population of children in Webb County and future surveillance areas
• Receives information in a timely manner and analyzes data in the database
• Monitor and report on developmental disability trends and characteristics
• Completes Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QAQC) for Public Health Technicians and the Applications Analyst
• Conduct monthly and yearly dissemination of findings from the Autism Surveillance Division through projects or community reports
• Conducts education and exercise trainings 
• Implements surveillance procedures to monitor incidence and other public health trends
• Participates in analyzing, planning, developing, coordinating, and conducting specific epidemiological investigations or studies of developmental disabilities
• Participates in the collection of epidemiological data for the surveillance of developmental disabilities.
• Coordinates with others (hospitals, physicians, clinics, school districts) to assist in the collection of epidemiological data
• Analyzes epidemiological data through the use of appropriate statistical measures
• Create and implement policies at a division-level that control data accuracy
• Assists with coordination and collaboration on the use of epidemiological data with other agencies, other states, and national organizations such as the Center for Disease Control (CDC)
• Creates research initiatives to contribute our findings to the collective knowledge base
• Successfully enters and analyzes data in SAS and REDCap
• Holds meetings with key stake holders
• Assures proper communication with key stakeholders
• Completes all public health trainings and CDC trainings as required
• Reviews weekly or monthly statistical developmental disabilities prevalence reports and special reports as needed
• Assists with the continuation of the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADMM) Network in Webb County and the expansion of surveillance area
• Conducts outreach and education activities, such as workshops, health fairs, summits, and conferences
• Assists with maintaining assigned program budget and yearly continuation reports to our budget officer
• Attends trainings as needed on epidemiology basic principles, developmental disabilities, and statistics
• Accomplishes the objectives and goals of the public program, as it pertains to all aspects of the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network
• Communicates developmental disabilities and other health disparities and recommendations to the public
• Follows all rules of telephone courtesy in all telephone communications
• Will be required to drive a City vehicle for City business use
• Will aid the Laredo Public Health Department Epidemiology division as needed in emergency response activities on a 24/7/365 basis
• Supports epidemiological investigations by the Laredo Public Health Department Epidemiology Division
• Will be required to drive a City vehicle for City business use.
• Performs other related work as required

Knowledge of:

• Knowledge of modern office procedures and methods including computers and applicable software
• Knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation
• Knowledge of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and developmental disabilities
• Knowledge of medical terminology 
• Knowledge of electronic health record (EHR) systems 
• Knowledge of school system record systems
• Knowledge of the basic principles of public health surveillance
• Knowledge of population-based surveillance methods
• Knowledge of principles of epidemiology and emergency respons
• Knowledge of Quality Assurance and Quality Control processes (QAQC)
• Knowledge of statistical analysis software (SAS, SPSS, R, STATA)
• Knowledge of statistical analysis techniques
• Knowledge of REDCap
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Tableau
• Knowledge of managing large datasets
• Knowledge of health informatics and data systems used in public health surveillance

Skills and Abilities:

• Skills in organization and time management 
• Skills in performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature
• Skills in public speaking 
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships 
• Ability to meet schedules and deadlines of the work
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of information and professional boundaries
• Ability to generate clear and concise reports 
• Ability to calculate prevalence rates and other frequency counts 
• Ability to manage and direct public health programs, services, and personnel
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, study group members, parents, and the general public
• Ability to develop surveys, parental consents, and lead focus groups with input from principal investigator
• Ability to disseminate project summary information to the public and recruit suggestions for intervention strategies by the community
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Familiarity with all types of media and ability to perform basic editorial functions including layout, proofreading, editing, and copywriting
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with persons from a variety of backgrounds
• Familiarity with basic medical technology, developmental disabilities, developmental milestones, early childhood topics, and other infectious diseases
• Familiarity with public health data analysis and epidemiological methods related to early childhood development
• Ability to maintain harmonious and effective working relationships with other employees and respond to general public complaints
• Ability to project a positive and professional image of the City of Laredo
• Ability to maintain a valid Texas Driver License and a good driving record
• Required to comply with all City of Laredo's policies and procedures
• Ability to maintain good health and physical condition sufficient to permit the full performance of the duties of the position

WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Office or similar indoor environment, relatively free from unpleasant environmental conditions or hazards.
• Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, a negligible amount of force frequently, and/or constantly having to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

• Street environment (near moving traffic)
• Construction site
• Confined space 
• Warehouse environment
• Other: ______

• Outdoor environment
• Vehicles

• Office or similar indoor environment

• Individuals with known violent backgrounds
• Extreme cold (below 32 degrees)
• Moving mechanical parts
• Fumes or airborne particles
• Toxic or caustic chemicals or substances
• Loud noises (85+ decibels such as heavy trucks, jack hammers, construction)

• Individuals who are hostile or irate 
• Extreme heat (above 100 degrees)

• Communicable diseases

• International travel

• Regional travel
• National travel

• Local travel

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited* college or university in Epidemiology, Biostatistics, or a related field  
• One (1) year of experience in health informatics, data management, quality control and quality assurance (QAQC), project management, early childhood, or related experience
• Three (3) years of experience in health surveillance system, data/statistical analysis, public health emergency preparedness, or related experience
• Six (6) months of experience performing data analysis with statistical analysis software (SAS, SPSS, R, STATA) and developing online databases utilizing REDCap, or similar software, preferred

Valid Texas Driver License. If applicant holds an out-of-state license, a State of Texas Driver License must be obtained prior to employment.