Epidemiologist IV

Job Description:
The HIV/STD/HCV Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit Senior Epidemiologist reports to the HIV/STD/HCV Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit Director and serves as the subject matter expert in advanced analytics and epidemiological study methods on populations impacted by HIV, STDs and Hepatitis C (HCV), requiring specialized knowledge of HIV/STD/HCV surveillance, specific health behaviors related to HIV/STD/HCV transmission, and geospatial analysis. The Senior Epidemiologist performs highly advanced (senior-level) work providing direction and guidance on day-to-day operations and planning for the Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit. Provides leadership and direction that fosters teamwork, harmony, professional collaboration, and partnership. Oversees the establishment of Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit staff goals and objectives, initiates, plans, designs and conducts advanced epidemiological research, evaluating populations and their risk factors for HIV, STDs, and HCV using data from the TB/HIV/STD and HCV reporting systems and other large data sets in the Section. Performs routine oversight activities on advanced analytics and the processing of HIV/STD/HCV data to ensure data quality, integrity, and completeness. Develops, establishes, and implements data standards. Directs and conducts advanced quantitative and qualitative epidemiological studies to identify factors for health conditions and behaviors in populations impacted by HIV, STDs and HCV to prevent and control public health problems. Coordinates the collaboration and/or preparation of scientific manuscripts, maps, public health reports, and presentations. Initiative, creativity, and advanced technical and methodological skills are important qualities to successfully occupy this position. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions:
Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

EJF 1. (35%) Serves as the senior epidemiologist in HIV/STD/HCV with minimal oversight and extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment within the HIV/STD/HCV Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit. Reviews, edits, and critiques reports, presentations, fact sheets, and special publications prepared by Unit staff while ensuring sound study design, data analyses, and interpretation. Oversees and coordinates the preparation of special and annual reports. Prepares reports, articles, white papers, briefings, and presentations etc. based on results for management, internal/external stakeholders, or appropriate scientific meetings. Provides HIV/STD/HCV data to the local health departments, general public, news media, and other consumers of data. Develops, establishes, and implements standardized protocols for the careful examination of received data for obvious errors and discrepancies. Releases prepared data as specified in DUAs/MOUs.

EJF 2. (30%) Directs, initiates, and conducts advanced epidemiological studies, provides research consultation and technical assistance to HIV/STD/HCV program areas regarding epidemiological methods, research/surveillance design, program evaluation assessment of public health practices, and new/innovative approaches. Develops and integrates cutting-edge epidemiological methods and innovative statistical analyses into current surveillance and research studies. Prepares scientific publications, briefings, technical reports, and presentations. Oversees the development of data dashboards using SAS and Tableau. Reviews data programming, reports, publications, and presentations prepared by HIV/STD Section staff to verify the accuracy of analysis and results. (20%) Provides leadership and direction that fosters teamwork, harmony, professional collaboration. Manages activities of staff to foster a culture of high-quality data products, reports, presentation, and dashboards. Oversees the establishment of AAB and AAB staff goals and objectives. Develops and approves schedules, priorities, and standards for achieving goals. Oversees staff development plans and activities. Plans, assigns, measures, and supervises the work of others. Responsible for hiring and selection, assigning work, completing performance evaluations, recommending personnel disciplinary actions, and scheduling and approving leave.

EJF 3. (15%) Serves as a senior subject matter expert for HIV/STD/HCV Epidemiology and Surveillance. Serves as a resource epidemiologist for ongoing epidemiological investigations and evaluation studies within the Unit and Section. Serves as a technical expert and consultant on statistical design, epidemiologic methodology and analysis, interpretation of data and epidemiologic soundness. Provides consultation to hospital administrators, physicians, state and national organizations, and others on HIV/STD/HCV Epidemiology and Surveillance activities.

EJF 4. (10%) Develops educational materials and training and operational manuals used in implementing epidemiology programs. Develops and participates in conducting educational programs on major public health issues. Coordinates regular meetings for the Section epidemiologists to discuss methods and techniques such as random, stratified, clustered, and convenience sampling; confidence intervals, tests of differences between rates and proportions, odds ratios, relative risk ratios, measurement of sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value; linear and multiple logistic regression; and survival, factor, cluster, discriminant, and spatial analyses.

EJF 5. (5%) Develops and provides recommendations to management on the budget, grants, contracts, staffing needs, and policies and procedures; and prepares funding proposals.

EJF 6. (5%) Other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.
Knowledge Skills Abilities:
List the knowledge, skills, and abilities critical to performance in this position:
Knowledge of epidemiologic/public health research design, methods, principles, and techniques
Knowledge in Institution Review Board (IRB) applications and processes
Knowledge of health outcomes such as adverse reproductive outcomes, infant/child health outcomes, adolescent health outcomes, obesity or other chronic diseases
Knowledge of measurement, testing, and evaluation procedures
Knowledge of computer software, including SAS, Microsoft products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access), Adobe Professional, Tableau, and ArcGIS software
Skill in the use of statistical measurement techniques, research design and implementation, problem-solving methods and techniques
Strong project management skills to organize major complex project activities into a logical sequence with a reasonable and achievable schedule of deadlines
Skill in technical writing to communicate project/research information clearly and succinctly for correspondence with state and federal agencies
Skill in creating data dashboards that simplify complex ideas to lay audiences and for internal and external consumption
Skill in critical thinking and problem solving
Ability to develop and effectively deliver training and technical assistance about research/data methods, procedures or DSHS policies
Ability to interpret complex statistical data, charts, and tables and translate detailed information into simpler terms orally and in writing
Ability to assess the reliability, validity, and appropriateness of proposed data collection methods and epidemiologic designs.
Ability to formulate reasonable hypothesis and structure research designs to account for variables
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and work with others as part of a team
Ability to organize and manage program/project activities and establish goals and objectives
Ability to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions
Ability to manage an evaluation program and supervise epidemiologists, statisticians, support staff, and technical personnel.
Ability to manage and query complex databases.

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