Job Description:

SUMMARY

This is a remote position funded through July 31, 2023

Under the supervision of the Chief of the CDPH COVID-19 DISCO team and as part of the CDPH Incident Management Structure, the Senior Epidemiologist Supervisor will lead the CDPH COVID-19 Community and Workplace Outbreak Investigation Team (hereafter referred to as Outbreak Team) of the CDPH COVID-19 Response. The Senior Epidemiologist Supervisor will serve as the Outbreak Team lead and supervises and manages professional staff including epidemiologists, research scientists, and administrative staff to provide assistance and guidance to local health departments (LHDs) on outbreak investigation and prevention in the community with an emphasis on nonhealthcare congregate settings (e.g., schools, homeless shelters, and correctional facilities). Management of multiple outbreaks and epidemiologic investigations is expected, as are accurate daily data updates and summary written investigative reports to leadership of the DISCO team, Center for Infectious Diseases, CDPH Director’s Office, Health and Human Services Agency, Governor’s Office, and other local, state, and federal partners including the CDC.  The Senior Epidemiologist Supervisor will serve as the key representative of the Outbreak Team at meetings and conferences when needed.

The CDPH COVID-19 Outbreak Team assists and guides California LHDs with community and workplace outbreak response and prevention, particularly for severe or unusual outbreaks that are beyond the capacity of the LHDs. COVID-19 nonhealthcare outbreaks in California have involved prisons, jails, universities, food processing plants, and other community settings or workplaces, and their investigations have required coordination with local, state, and federal agencies as well as employers, labor unions, and others. Besides regular communication with other teams within the DISCO team, particularly the Epidemiology Team, the Laboratory Team, the Clinical Team, and the Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI) Team, close coordination with other state programs is necessary, including with the Occupational Health Branch. Outbreaks involving healthcare facilities are managed by the HAI Team. The Outbreak Team will work closely with LHDs, other state teams and agencies such as the California Correctional Health Care Services, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Cal/OSHA and the Attorney General’s Office, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Most work done by the Senior Epidemiologist Supervisor will occur during standard business hours. However, as the nature of the pandemic is ever-changing, issues occasionally arise after-hours or over the weekend that need to be addressed in real-time, such as telephone consultation to a local health department managing an outbreak or urgent review of a time-sensitive guidance document to be released by CDPH.

Applicants must submit a cover letter that addresses their interest in and suitability for this position and curriculum vitae to be considered.

Must be able to work flexible hours, including weekends and holidays.

This is a remote position funded through July 31, 2023

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Oversee and supervise a team of up to 10 members to assure accountability and integrity of COVID-19 epidemiologic and outbreak investigations and outputs. Performs routine team management to stay abreast of ongoing investigations, new outbreaks of concern, staff assignment and supervision, and meeting the needs of LHDs and other partners regarding control and prevention of COVID-19 outbreaks of concern.


• Utilize outbreak data and situational awareness to identify specific severe or unusual outbreaks for in-depth investigation which may include site visits and design, implementation, and analysis of surveys of affected individuals for risk factor evaluation; coordinate with LHDs, other state agencies, unions, etc.; make public health recommendations for outbreak mitigation measures.


• Operate within Incident Command Structure (ICS) to respond to COVID-19 outbreak reports and requests for assistance.


• Establish and maintain reliable, efficient, and effective methods for communication with team members and other COVID-19 response teams via web-based applications, telephone, and email to maintain awareness of team capacity, status of investigations, and immediate needs.


• Analyze and resolve problems and demonstrate solid subject matter knowledge.


• Participate in and present on all-jurisdiction calls, provide updates on the COVID-19 outbreaks being investigated by members of the Outbreak Team and any information needed by LHDs for control and prevention.


• Provide guidance to LHDs and other public health partners on COVID-19 outbreak investigation and prevention.


• Lead a team in drafting or updating guidelines for prevention and control of COVID-19 in non-healthcare congregate settings including homeless shelters, correctional facilities, schools, and workplace sites. Coordinate with other entities involved in these settings.


• Review and update team guidance, forms, and procedures as needed.


• Attend meetings to represent the Outbreak Team and be able to articulate and describe ongoing investigation activities and preliminary data and findings.


• Oversee and contribute to special projects related to COVID-19 as identified by the Chief of the DISCO team.

 

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• Managerial experience and skills for effective leadership.


• Strong knowledge of epidemiology and data analytic methods.


• Experience in reviewing and interpreting data results, trends, and comparisons.


• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with public health staff and healthcare professionals and other partners.


• Knowledge and application of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirements and protection of health information.


• Knowledge of local and state public health organization and practices.


• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.


• Ability to make time sensitive decisions in complex situations.


• Ability to prioritize, delegate and manage multiple tasks.


• Demonstrate reliability, integrity, and ability to work in rapidly changing environment.


• Fluency in spoken English is required.

  Education/Experience

  
  

• Doctoral degree in epidemiology, public health, or other closely related field, preferred.


• At least 2 years experience supervising or leading epidemiologists or other professional staff, required.


• Strong knowledge associated with monitoring staffing levels, recruitment, and training procedures, required.


• Strong knowledge of epidemiologic methods, required.


• Experience in managing or overseeing complex projects, required.


• Knowledge and use of Statistical Analysis Software (SAS) or R, preferred.

  Other Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

  
  

• Prior knowledge and experience operating in incident command structure (ICS), preferred.


• Knowledge of and skilled in the use of Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, and Power Point.


• Must be able to work flexible hours, outside of normal business hours, including weekends.

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Stand: Occasionally

Walk: Occasionally

Sit: Frequently

Handling / Fingering: Frequently

Reach Outward: Not Applicable

Reach Above Shoulder: Not Applicable

Climb, Crawl, Kneel, Bend: Not Applicable

Lift / Carry: Not Applicable

Push/Pull: Not Applicable

See: Constantly

Taste/ Smell: Not Applicable

Not Applicable = Not required for essential functions

Occasionally = (0 - 2 hrs/day)

Frequently = (2 - 5 hrs/day)

Constantly = (5+ hrs/day)

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Personal home/office or general office setting, indoors, temperature controlled. Rare travel to other settings.

Must have active Wi-Fi/internet access. There is no reimbursement for Wi-Fi/internet access.

 

EEOC STATEMENT

It is the policy of Heluna Health to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

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