Epidemiologist

A member of the multidisciplinary leadership team responsible for carrying out a broad range of epidemiologic activities using research, statistical analysis, health education, and policy development to combat and prevent public health issues. This position will support a broad array of program areas across the Public Health Department including Communicable Disease, Environmental Health, Prevention, Human Services and Assessment and Planning. Incumbent will perform investigative epidemiologic activities related to the surveillance, detection, and prevention of diseases and injuries under the supervision of the Director of Public Health. Work independently or as an experienced team or project member, providing epidemiologic expertise for specific programs or individual epidemiologic analyses. Develop and implement methodology and techniques for epidemiological investigations and public health surveillance systems. Collaborate on community-driven population health needs assessment and identification of health indicators .Make recommendations regarding possible causation of diseases and disease processes, their correlation with other community conditions including social determinates of health.  Analyze diverse data sources to assist with the identification of health indicators to improve policy and implement outcome-based planning and decision making. Work involves providing leadership, consultation, and expertise to all public health division managers, staff and community partners regarding data collection, analysis, and dissemination. 

- Salary upon hire is step 1 through 3 ($40.19 to $43.04 per hour) for an Epidemiologist, dependent upon qualifications.

- Progressive increases are based upon years of service with Skagit County, up to 8 total steps (top step $51.15). The Epidemiologist is range 18 of salary schedule PROTEC Health.

Plan, implement, and analyze epidemiological investigations. Identify and evaluate a wide range of health conditions to recognize public health problems pertinent to the population and to determine feasibility of and approach to epidemiologic investigations. Review existing literature and data, determine methodological techniques and processes, design questionnaires and other data-collection instruments, and use statistical techniques to provide analysis and key findings. 

Lead epidemiology functions for Community Health Assessment and Health Improvement processes.  Access, analyze, interpret and communicate community specific information about health outcomes, upstream determinants, and health disparities.   Utilize tools to monitor and evaluate population health impact. Investigate relationships between exposures and health outcomes using robust methodologies. Explore how social factors influence health disparities, healthcare access, and outcomes.

Design, manage, and use surveillance systems for diseases and health outcomes of public health importance. Identify program surveillance data needs, design instruments for the collection of surveillance information and data and implement new or revise existing surveillance systems. Generate descriptive and statistical analyses of surveillance data for a variety of audiences. Report key findings and perform evaluations of surveillance systems

Conduct disease outbreak and other communicable disease investigations and implement their control measures. Evaluate the causes, occurrence, transmission, distribution, and control of diseases in populations. Analyze outbreak data utilizing epidemiological and statistical methods. Assist with onsite review of facilities and procedures; interviewing patients, health-care providers, and others involved; and collect data from local agencies or other health entities. Plan and initiate active surveillance as needed.

Design, manipulate, and use databases for analysis of health problems to assess the potential public health impact. Ensure the integrity and accuracy of collected data, following ethical guidelines and privacy regulations when handling sensitive health information.

Disseminate data and key findings through statistical and narrative reports, data visualizations, summaries, presentations or other means to local, regional, and state-level entities and stakeholders.

Design qualitative tools and utilize statistical analysisto draw conclusions about the health of populations.  Findings influence public health policies, interventions, and healthcare practices, aiming to improve overall population health and reduce the impact of diseases on communities.

Establish and maintain relationships with local (health care providers, hospital infection control practitioners, school nurses, etc.), regional, and state-level entities to promote disease reporting and collaborative epidemiological investigations and program development. Provide recommendations, guidelines and presentations to schools, childcare centers, nursing homes, hospitals, health care providers, other community agencies and the general public about public health topics and population-based prevention and intervention strategies.

Provide leadership, consultation, and expertise to all public health division managers and staff regarding data collection and analysis. Apply program and epidemiologic expertise to complex public health issues, with an understanding of the appropriate cultural/social/political framework, as well as the ethical/legal issues related to epidemiologic data collection, dissemination, and use. Train internal staff on methodology of data management to drive planning and decision making. 

Prepare and present reports on research findings, disease trends, and public health recommendations to stakeholders, government agencies, and the public.

Participate in program evaluation, conduct literature reviews, design methods, and analyze data to evaluate program progress and effectiveness. 

Participate and assist in public health emergency preparedness plan development, drills, and table top exercises.

Supervisory: 
This position has no direct supervisory responsibility.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:
Assists in other areas of the department as required.  Other related functions may be assigned to meet department needs but are in the general level of responsibility associated with the employee’s classification of work.

Performs communicable disease surveillance and investigation related duties as assigned. 

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying.  A typical path to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Masters Degree from an accredited institution involving major study in Epidemiology or a Master’s Degree in Public Health or closely allied field which includes training in epidemiology or biostatistics.
Two (2) years of relevant professional epidemiology experience in public health or related field.

Requires knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of public health.
• Principles, practices, current developments, and techniques related to epidemiology.
• Principles of epidemiological investigation, disease prevention and control measures.
• Contact investigations.
• Conducting routine infectious disease surveillance.
• Developing and maintaining databases.
• Developing and maintaining data management methods (data collection, entry, cleaning, etc)
• Data analysis, utilizing statistical software (SAR, R, GIS, Epi-Info, Excel).
• Writing reports and developing effective health promotion and disease prevention educational materials.
• Steps of outbreak investigations and response.
• Clinical laboratory testing procedures and the ability to interpret basic laboratory test results.
• Cultural/social norms and values of diverse populations.
• Principles of Health Equity.
• Evidence-based policy, systems and environmental change strategies.
• State and Federal government policies and procedures, HIPAA, and other relevant statutes.
  
  

• Collect and analyze data using statistical software.
• Gather, organize and present facts and statistical data in a clear, concise and logical manner, both orally and in writing.
• Evaluate program, project or intervention effectiveness.
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with a diverse population of State, regional and local entities.  
• Use computers and basic software used in the work environment, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook and Power Point).
• Learn new software programs or strategy mapping software and have ability to train and engage staff and community partners.
• Organize work activities to meet established objectives.
• Exercise initiative, discretion and judgment in carrying out work.
• Demonstrate strong organizational, multitasking, and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrate strong public speaking and presentation skills in both small and large group settings.
• Ability to work independently, but in a team-oriented work environment maintaining effective working relationships with staff, other health jurisdictions, colleagues, public and private officials and community groups, and the general public.
• Research, write and manage grants.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Perform all assigned duties in a timely manner.
• Maintain client confidentiality and be compliant in accordance to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).
  
  

SELECTION PROCESS:

Following review of applications and resumes, the highest qualified applicants will be interviewed and may be tested. After a selection is made, all applicants not selected will be notified in writing. Skagit County reserves the right to use applications received for this posting to fill any other positions within this classification which may open within six months following the closing of this position. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Skagit County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply. It is the policy of Skagit County to follow all federal and state laws to ensure non-discrimination in its employment practices. American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Notice: Individuals, who need an ADA accommodation to complete the application, test or interview process, please call: (360) 416-1382. 

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential functions of this position, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload. Changes to the position description may be made at the discretion of the employer.