Job Description:

Under the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) cooperative agreement, Heluna Health and Center for Health Statistics and Informatics (CHSI) of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) are recruiting for an Epidemiologist / Data Scientist to support the development and implementation of a decision intelligence program that leverages the current Ecosystem Of Data Sharing (EODS) framework and infrastructure and builds in decision intelligence to aid public health programs and policy makers in understanding behaviors and decisions to better develop and implement more effective prevention focused interventions to better address current and potential future trends in COVID-19 transmission, incidence and prevalence in California counties (and also establish an interconnected infrastructure across public health data sets to address future pandemics). This could include, but is not limited to, using data, trends, and other information gathered for past and current response efforts to develop targeted localized messaging and interventions with populations that had multiple chronic conditions as well as utilizing predictive analytics to anticipate surges in cases.

This position supports the CDPH mission and strategic plan by supporting CHSI that is responsible for the CDPH master data management and interoperability initiative, to help ensure that public health decision-making is data driven and research based.

Under general direction of the Decision Intelligence and Analytics Program Manager, the Data Scientist functions independently and as part of the decision intelligence team and uses a high degree of technical expertise to create reports and analytics based on public health surveillance data; analyzes and manages surveillance and other public health datasets used to create reports required by the CDPH and other stakeholders. The Data Scientist is responsible for planning, data analysis and visualization, communication, technical documentation, evaluation, user training and data management. The incumbent performs data management, analysis and quality control; creates and tests dashboards and metrics; reviews definitions and calculations for key metrics; assists with development of scope, specifications, and visualization for metrics and indicators. The Data Scientist utilizes statistics and predictive values commonly used in scientific, surveillance, or epidemiological literature to analyze, interpret, and report on public health data to provide an accessible way for data consumers to see and understand trends, outliers, and patterns in the data. The incumbent works closely with stakeholders to assess, manage, and communicate needed changes.

The Data Scientist evaluates system processes and data activities to promote equity and reduce bias; develops a strategy for applying the principles of decision intelligence to system evaluation to understand how potential biases and inequities would be identified, evaluated, and mitigated; and what ethical considerations should be made to promote health equity.

Applicants must submit a cover letter and resume to be considered.

Must be able to work flexible hours that may include weekends and holidays.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Participate in and coordinate ongoing testing, implementation, and evaluation of dashboards and other reporting features in the decision intelligence program.


• Gather requirements, plan, maintain, and retrieve information for the program.


• Analyze data and respond to requests in a fast-paced environment, while ensuring quality and accuracy.


• Reviews scientific literature; synthesizes the literature and maintains a bibliographic database.


• Use behavioral sciences theoretical models and epidemiological research methods to evaluate data sources.


• Clean and maintain data for quality and completeness.


• Implement and revise data management protocols.


• Analyze and resolve problems with data quality, address gaps and barriers in study progress.


• Identify connections in the data and identify examples of predicted phenomenon; identifying anomalies in the data; and undertaking an association analysis to evaluate the association of data patterns.


• Function as a resource to effectively meet the public health reporting and analytic needs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.


• Map data elements across datasets and pull data from various sources for reports , as required.


• Develop analytic plans in response to public health questions. Perform analysis, interpret results, and summarize findings.


• Recommend enhancements to dashboards to meet public health needs and to interface with existing systems, as needed.


• Develop scientific training materials and provides training for internal and external stakeholders to use standardized indicators and evaluation instruments, procedures, and policies.


• Identify areas of collaboration and establish processes with partners and stakeholders to achieve and advance agency goals and objectives.


• Provide an accessible way for data consumers to see and understand trends, outliers, and patterns in the data.


• Prepare presentations, communications materials, technical documentation, and other related materials.


• Perform other duties as directed by leadership.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assists with any other duties as assigned in support of the decision intelligence program.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of public health, disease surveillance, healthcare informatics/surveillance systems and epidemiologic practices.


• Knowledge of current scientific research literature and trends applicable to the scientific research area.


• Knowledge of bibliographic survey or previous related scientific research techniques.


• Knowledge of curve fitting; identifying connections in the data and identifying examples of predicted phenomena.


• Demonstrated ability to interpret and evaluate information to analyze, summarize, and prepare reports.


• Working knowledge of principles of database design, preferably in context of public health surveillance.


• Knowledge of applicable laws, statues, and policies regarding health information, including security, privacy, and management of confidential data.


• Knowledge of principles, practices, and skills to perform and apply epidemiology, statistical, business analyses, and data processing techniques.


• Ability to provide technical assistance to achieve program goals and objectives related to reporting and metrics for local and state use.


• Ability to engage with diverse audiences and multiple stakeholders and assess information needs; and collaborate across agencies and programs to meet shared goals.


• Ability to seek out and translate feedback for the purpose of continuous quality improvement of data products.


• Knowledge of principles of infectious disease / COVID-19 epidemiology and surveillance, preferred.


• Knowledge of contact tracing principles related to communicable diseases, preferred.


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


• Demonstrate reliability and integrity.


• Skill to exercise independent judgment and discretion in confidential matters.


• Skill to interpret, understand and implement complex policy.


• Ability to establish priorities with a high degree of independence, effectively managing & shifting priorities and time-sensitive projects to meet deadlines and program needs.


• Strong oral and written communication skills and ability to make compelling presentations to audiences with varying degrees of technical knowledge.

Education/Experience

• Master’s degree in the stated specialty or closely related field, preferred.


• Bachelor’s degree in the stated specialty or closely related field, required.


• Two years of experience working as an epidemiologist, data analyst or data manager in a research or public health setting.


• Fluency in data analysis and visualization software such as SAS, R, SQL, or Tableau, required.


• Experience in reporting and visualization of research or public health surveillance data, required.


• Experience working in local or state public health departments, preferred.


• Experience in informatics, preferred.
  
  

Other Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Fluent use of the English language: reading, writing and verbalizing complex communications.


• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft office products (Word, Excel).

 

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Stand: Frequently

Walk: Frequently

Sit: Frequently

Handling / Fingering: Occasionally

Reach Outward: Occasionally

Reach Above Shoulder: Occasionally

Climb, Crawl, Kneel, Bend: Occasionally

Lift / Carry: Occasionally - Up to 50 lbs

Push/Pull: Occasionally - Up to 50 lbs

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

Initially Remote / May be required to report to general office setting in Sacramento, CA. in the future.

 

Must have functioning Wi-Fi/internet access in remote location.  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.

 

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

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