Epidemiologist II - Overdose Prevention & Assessment (Health Department)

Snohomish County • Everett, WA, United States • $200k - $250k / year • 2h ago

This position is open until November 1st, 2024, and is a bargaining unit represented position.

A cover letter and resume are required with your online application in order for your application to be considered complete. Uploading your resume to auto-fill portions of the application does not automatically attach it to your application. Incomplete applications will not be considered for this position.

This Epidemiologist II position will focus on opioid and other drug overdose prevention work for the Snohomish County Health Department (SHD). The incumbent will primarily provide epidemiologic support for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Overdose to Action (OD2A) grant. The Epidemiologist will maintain data dashboards and create reports summarizing surveillance data relating to drug overdose, including but not limited to mortality data, data from Emergency Medical Services (EMS), data from emergency departments and data regarding access to treatment. The incumbent will work closely with staff from the SHD Substance Use Prevention team and collaborate with partners from outside agencies to evaluate effectiveness of programs aimed at reducing the use and misuse of opioids and other drugs. The Epidemiologist will support data needs relating to the newly developed overdose fatality review (OFR), in conjunction with the Snohomish medical examiner. The incumbent will also provide epidemiologic support for other health topics of public health importance as governed by department needs.

A hybrid schedule is generally what this incumbent will work, if they so choose, and as long as job duties and requirements are met as outlined by the Manager.

Definition:

Under direction of the Epidemiology and Informatics Manager, or designee, will perform a variety of highly responsible, advanced epidemiological activities related to collection of epidemiological data, researching, analyzing, and interpreting health-related characteristics of the population to identify the distribution of diseases, spectrum of behaviors and relevant conditions. Proposes and/or initiates investigations, analysis, and reports. Designs major projects and performs complex analysis. The incumbent may also work in collaboration across divisions, leadership and/or interdisciplinary teams in support of department-wide administrative functions.

The incumbent is responsible for designing, coordinating, and conducting case control, cohort, or cross-sectional studies to identify the incidence, prevalence, or causes of human morbidity or mortality using a variety of epidemiological methods; prepare formal written reports of study findings, including a description of the methods used, the findings, and the interpretation of the data. Additionally, provides consultative services on disease investigation, outbreaks, surveillance, regulations governing compliance, general epidemiological questions, research methodology, and study findings.

Work is performed under limited supervision. Incumbent will complete the work within the specified timeframe and is responsible for the work performed. Prepares and carries out assignments and handles problems and deviations in accordance with experienced judgment, instructions, policies, procedures and/or accepted practices. The incumbent coordinates work with others and uses independent judgment concerning appropriate methods and procedures and keeps the Health Officer and/or supervisor regularly informed of progress, and workload concerns. Incumbent reports to the Epidemiology and Informatics Manager who reviews work for accuracy, thoroughness, and conformance to established practices and procedures.

Examples of Work Performed:

Performs statistical analyses of health data, e.g., descriptive analysis, univariate analysis, trend analysis, multiple logistic regression, survival analysis, etc.
Coordinates the compilation, maintenance, and analysis of quantitative and qualitative health data using appropriate research methods.
In coordination with agency leadership, identifies, develops, and procures access to data sources and databases relevant to public health surveillance and decision making.
Develops and implements quality control processes to ensure high quality data are available for analyses.
Coordinates activities with Health Department staff, public health staff working in a similar program area at other local public health agencies, and the Washington State Department of Health.
Develops good working relationships with healthcare provider offices, hospitals, schools, and other healthcare facilities in the county to facilitate collection of quality data.
Writes reports of epidemiological investigations and analyses of health-related data.

Works with the Health Department leadership, managers, staff, and the community to develop and maintain datasets about population health in Snohomish County , including an inventory of available assessment data and identification and prioritization of new or updated community health information needs.
Provides support to the Health Department as a resource for other assessment activities, including assistance with survey designs, determining the most practical and desirable sampling techniques, database design and management, data quality processes, program evaluation, and providing other assistance as needed. Serves as the Health Department’s primary resource for program evaluation and quality improvement activities.

As part of rotation, provides 24/7 call coverage during non-business hours (evenings, weekends, and holidays). When on first call, act as the primary point of contact for receiving, triaging, and responding in a timely manner to notifications of communicable disease reports from health care providers, laboratories, veterinarians, or other public health agencies.
Participates in and supports emergency preparedness and response activities, including preparedness for the division, agency, and community.

Associated Duties:

Participates in opportunities for professional growth and development.
Performs other related duties as requested by the Program Supervisor.
Protects the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal law.
Adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines, including timely completion of mandatory trainings.

Education: A Master’s degree in Epidemiology, Public Health, Informatics Data Science, or a related field.

Experience: Three (3) years of experience in epidemiology research and analysis, program evaluation and/or practice and/or informatics, database management, data science and/or quality control.

Minimum of two (2) years of work experience in a public health agency.

Or:

Licenses, Certifications, and Other Information:

Successful completion of a background check pursuant to RCW 43.43.830.
Valid Washington State Driver’s license or ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire and a driving record which meets the requirements of Snohomish Health Department’s insurance carrier

Successful Incumbents for this Position will have:

Knowledge of principles, practices, current developments, and techniques related to epidemiology and informatics.
Knowledge of program evaluation and program measurement principles, preferred.
Knowledge of the principles and practices of public health.
Knowledge of designing and conducting health surveys.
Ability to develop and execute epidemiological studies and interpret results.
Ability to communicate, gather, organize and present facts and statistical data in a clear, concise, and logical manner, both orally and in writing to a variety of audiences.
Ability to lead, co-lead, and/or participate in meetings and committees.
Knowledge of data management best practices, familiarity with data modernization initiatives, procedures for procuring access to datasets, and data bases in compliance with HIPAA and other relevant regulations, and knowledge of data quality process improvement.
Ability to develop, maintain, manipulate and statistically analyze databases of considerable size and complexity using at least one computer statistical software package, e.g. STATA, SAS.
Experience in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as experience with data dashboards including products such as Tableau.
Ability to exercise initiative, tact, discretion, and judgment in carrying out work.
Ability to work independently, and in a team-oriented work environment maintaining effective working relationships with staff, other health districts/departments, colleagues, public and private officials, and community groups, culturally diverse groups, and the general public.

Ability to demonstrate a commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.

Ability to support the Heath Department and county’s mission, vision, and organizational goals.

Job Location, Working Conditions and Equipment Utilized:

Work is performed in a variety of settings, such as an office cubicle and various community-based settings utilizing agency vehicles, telephones, audio-visual equipment, and other standard office equipment including a personal computer. The incumbent will generally work in an office, at home, or in the community at various settings depending on the supervisor’s discretion and work needs. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Travel may include to community organizations such as schools, hospitals, clinics, and social service agencies. Some travel may include local or statewide travel for meetings and other forums. This may include early morning and evening meetings, with potential for overnight travel for state meetings or conferences. Telecommuting is possible for this position based off organizational needs and in coordination with leadership.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described above are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Working conditions and physical demands vary by assignment.

Requires ability to drive an automobile and/or have sufficient mobility access to various work locations.
Requires manual and finger dexterity and hand-eye-arm coordination to write and to operate computers and a variety of general office equipment. Requires mobility to accomplish other desktop work, retrieve files, and to move to various locations.
Requires visual acuity to read computer screens, printed materials, and detailed information; specific vision abilities required by this classification include close vision, distance vision and color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Frequently required to talk or hear effectively.
The incumbent is frequently required to stand and/or walk for extended periods of time; walk on uneven surfaces; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel crouch, or crawl; and smell in the performance of field and office duties.
May involve occasional kneeling, squatting, crouching, stooping, crawling, standing, bending, climbing (to stack, store or retrieve supplies or various office equipment or files).
Requires lifting and carrying up to 20 pounds and occasionally 50 pounds with or without assistance. (example: a box of copy paper).
Requires the ability to communicate with others orally, face to face and by telephone.