Job Summary

This is a professional position in the Infectious Disease Program of the Public Health Department, responsible for carrying out a broad and complex range of investigative and analytical epidemiologic activities related to the investigation, surveillance, and prevention of notifiable conditions and other communicable diseases.

The Epidemiologist works independently, as an experienced team member or project member and with community partners in providing epidemiologic expertise for specific programs or more complex individual epidemiologic analyses.

The work includes:
• Conducting communicable disease investigations and case or contact follow-up as appropriate.
• Developing and designing methods of collecting, analyzing, and disseminating data for both routine surveillance and special short-term purposes.
• Routinely analyzes and interprets both qualitative and quantitative data and writes reports and presents data for a variety of audiences.
• Coordinating epidemiological investigations and proposing and/or initiating public health recommendations based on findings.
• Participate in the 24/7 Communicable Disease on-call rotation. Must be physically located within 45 minutes from CCPH when serving as the 24/7 on-call CD unit staff.

This position is represented by Local 335 – LIUNA (Health Care Division, Laborers International Union of North America).

This position has the option of a hybrid remote work schedule, however, the candidate selected will need to reside in either Washington or Oregon. No exceptions. Duties are performed mostly remotely with occasional work in the office or field, as required.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree from a CEPH accredited school of Public Health and coursework completion in biostatistics, epidemiology, research methodology, behavioral science, environmental science, and health education and promotion.
• A minimum of two years’ experience in the practice of epidemiology in a public health setting conducting epidemiologic investigations and/or research.
• Knowledge of and demonstrated competence in data analysis software packets and data management tools (i.e. SAS, SPSS, etc) and writing clear and professional reports.  
• Knowledge of and experience with the principles of scientific inquiry and the statistical measures and study designs used in epidemiology.

Knowledge of:

• Key components of cultural competency; awareness of differences, attitude to examine believes and values, knowledge of differences; and skills to work effectively and appropriately across cultures;
• Federal, state, and local infectious disease reporting requirements;
• Epidemiologic study design including prevalence surveys, case control and cohort studies, and population sampling techniques;
• General principles of toxicology, microbiology, genetics, and biology;
• Advanced statistical measurement (linear, multiple, and logistic regression; factor analysis and discriminant function analysis; confidence intervals);
• Principles and practices of quality assurance and quality improvement;
• Methods and procedures of public policy development; and
• Qualitative and quantitative data for use in strategic planning and decision-making.

Ability to:

• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to the highest of ethical and moral standards in the conduction of a scientific inquiry process;
• Effectively and respectfully work with persons from diverse backgrounds including age, religion, national or ethnic origin, socioeconomic status, physical characteristics, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, veteran status, health status, genetic predisposition, political belief, mental, or physical ability;
• Identify the role of cultural, social and behavioral factors in determining the delivery of Public Health services;
• Research and implement approaches to address problems that take into account cultural differences and working with diverse populations;
• Work autonomously with little or no direct supervision in the development and implementation of a project;
• Demonstrate use of good judgment and the knowledge of when to seek additional help;
• Confer with community partners  about issues of public health significance;
• Carry out policy directives in an effective and timely manner;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, the public, policy makers, other governmental jurisdictions, contractors, community agencies and other County staff;
• Prepare effective correspondence and reports;
• Express ideas effectively both orally and in writing;
• Effectively use a personal computer, Microsoft Office software, e-mail, electronic scheduling, and internet to accomplish job functions;
• Work effectively with people of differing perspectives and disciplines in and out of the department;
• Recognize and address discrimination, stereotypes and stigmas in the work environment;
• Recognize features of personal behavior which are affected by culture; and
• Work in stressful and sensitive situations.

Other Necessary Qualifications:

• Must be able to respond to public health emergencies or exercises at any time, except while on scheduled vacation or other leave.  In addition, leaves may be cancelled under public health emergencies.
• Must protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal law.
• Must adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines, including but not limited to timely completion of mandatory trainings.
• Possess a valid driver’s license and have access to reliable transportation.

• Provide documentation of immune status per CCPH policy to vaccine preventable diseases.
• Finalist must successfully pass a criminal background check as required by RCW 43.43.830.

The degree must have been conferred by an institution of higher education and have National Recognition of Accrediting Agencies by the U.S. Secretary of Education, and official transcripts may be required at the time of hire.

Evidence of valid driver's license and certified copy of current driving record (CCDR) are required at time of hire.

SELECTION PROCESS

Application Review – Incomplete applications will not pass the review; attaching a resume or referring to a resume does not substitute for a completed application.  Candidates will be evaluated based on the content of their applications and those deemed most qualified will be invited to participate in the remainder of the selection process.

Oral Interview – The interview will be job related and may include, but not be limited to, the qualifications outlined in the job announcement.  Candidates deemed most qualified will be invited to participate in the remainder of the selection process.

Employment References will be conducted for the final candidates, including verification of education.

Background, Driver License and license abstract checks will be performed prior to final selection.

Examples of Duties

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

Writes health status reports.

Compiles, maintains, and provides analysis for health care.  Assists and participates in interpreting epidemiological data for planning and department policy development.

Contributes to planning, prioritization, and execution of community health assessment projects, program effectiveness evaluations, and intervention research.

Provides public health data interpretation to the community and general public.

Conducts internal and community meetings.

Participates in and/or conducts disease outbreak and cluster investigations.  Participates in the identification of causative agents and environmental conditions contributing to the health issue and identifies corrective actions for morbidity and mortality in an appropriate and timely way.

Trains interviewers, data collectors and data entry operators in needed work for the conduction of investigations, research activities, evaluations and assessments.

Conducts seminars and trainings in epidemiologic methodology and investigative techniques for health department staff, local practitioners and professional meetings.

Designs, maintains and monitors quality of disease surveillance databases.  Recommends design and management of surveillance systems for problems of public health importance.

Maintains disease response protocols; assures protocols are based on sound epidemiological evidence.

Prepares public health information releases for findings from health information collection and analysis work in coordination with the health officer and other designation staff.

Prepares appropriate grant applications and acts as the principle investigator on grants received and develops opportunities for funded research.

Submits appropriate documentation for human subjects review.

Participates in statewide meetings for assessment (Health Assessment Work Group).

Makes recommendations for health policy changes based on findings from local epidemiologic studies and research.

Develops public health risk assessment models to forecast effects of exposure to physical, chemical or biologic agents.

Participates as a team member in the Department’s Epi Team.

Performs other staff duties and tasks as assigned that are consistent with the job class.

Salary Grade

Local 335.10A

Salary Range

$33.10 - $47.41- per hour

For complete job announcement, application requirements, and to apply on-line (applications on external sites are not monitored), please visit our website at:

https://www.clark.wa.gov/human-resources/explore-careers-clark-county