Clinical Informatics Specialist

UCSF Health, AG; California; On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

UCSF Institute for Global Health Sciences seeks a Clinical Informatics Specialist III to advance CDPH’s enterprise data modernization. You will design, build, and maintain scalable data pipelines and data marts in a cloud-native Databricks environment, enabling analytics and strategic decision-making for public health programs.

You will collaborate with data scientists, analysts, informaticians, and program partners to deliver well-governed, interoperable data products and to improve

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with 3 years of data pipeline programming or public health experience.
• Experience with SQL, R, Python and Apache Spark APIs (e.g., PySpark).
• Experience with Databricks, Delta Lake, or cloud-based data lake architectures.
• Knowledge of health informatics, data governance, and public health data systems.
• Strong communication skills to convey complex information effectively.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and maintain scalable data pipelines and data marts in Databricks using SQL, Python, and PySpark.
• Support development of enhanced public health surveillance and operational data systems.
• Create standardized data models and curated datasets for multiple use cases.
• Improve interoperability across CDPH data systems and integrate with LHJs and partners.
• Ensure secure, automated ingestion, transformation, storage, and distribution of data.
• Participate in data architecture, modeling, and quality assurance activities.
• Contribute to tools, frameworks, and monitoring for reliable data pipelines.
• Prototype new engineering approaches to meet evolving stakeholder needs and improve scalability.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication

SQL

Python

R

Apache Spark

Public health informatics

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in public health, health care information technology, computer science, or related area

Master’s degree in computer science, informatics, public health, biostatistics, epidemiology (preferred)

Tools

Databricks

Delta Lake

PySpark

Job description

Job Summary

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Office of Data Strategy is recruiting for a Clinical Informatics Specialist III’s to join an innovative team advancing CDPH’s enterprise data modernization efforts. The incumbent will apply advanced data engineering and informatics expertise within a cloud-native data environment (primarily Databricks, leveraging Apache Spark and Delta Lake for big-data processing and storage) to design, build, and maintain scalable data pipelines and enterprise data marts that support public health program operations, analytics, and strategic decision-making.

Job Description

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Office of Data Strategy is recruiting for a Clinical Informatics Specialist III’s to join an innovative team advancing CDPH’s enterprise data modernization efforts. The incumbent will apply advanced data engineering and informatics expertise within a cloud-native data environment (primarily Databricks, leveraging Apache Spark and Delta Lake for big-data processing and storage) to design, build, and maintain scalable data pipelines and enterprise data marts that support public health program operations, analytics, and strategic decision-making.

The incumbent will serve as a core member of a cross-functional team, collaborating closely with data scientists, analysts, informaticians, and public health program partners to deliver high-quality, well-governed, and interoperable data products.

Responsibilities Will Include

• Designing, developing, testing, and maintaining scalable data pipelines and enterprise data marts in Databricks using SQL, Python, and PySpark.
• Supporting the development, implementation, and maintenance of enhanced public health surveillance and operational data systems.
• Creating standardized, reusable data models and curated datasets that serve multiple programmatic and analytical use cases.
• Improving interoperability and alignment across CDPH data systems and integrating solutions with local health jurisdictions (LHJs) and other partners.
• Ensuring efficient, secure, and automated ingestion, transformation, storage, and distribution of data from diverse surveillance and non-surveillance sources.
• Participating in complex data architecture, data modeling, and data quality assurance and improvement activities.
• Contributing to development and maintenance of tools, frameworks, and monitoring capabilities that support reliable, high-quality data pipelines.
• Innovating and prototyping new engineering approaches to meet evolving stakeholder needs and improve scalability, performance, and maintainability of CDPH data infrastructure.
• This position requires strong programming and data engineering skills (SQL, Python, and/or PySpark), experience with Databricks or similar cloud platforms, and applied informatics knowledge to support data modeling, dataset curation, data governance, and data quality processes.

Department Summary

UCSF Institute for Global Health Sciences (IGHS) is dedicated to improving health and reducing the burden of disease in the world’s most vulnerable populations. It integrates UCSF expertise in all of the health, social, and biological sciences, and focuses that expertise on pressing issues in global health. IGHS works with partners in countries throughout the world to achieve these aims. IGHS seeks to improve health worldwide, especially in developing countries, through research that informs policy. IGHS is committed to ensuring a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment as we work towards becoming an anti-racist organization. We strongly encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds. Please see our statement on anti-racism here: https://globalhealthsciences.ucsf.edu/about-us/diversity-equity-and-inclusion/statement-structural-racism. The California Department of Public Health’s Office of Data Strategy (ODS) leads enterprise-wide data modernization efforts to advance public health outcomes statewide. ODS is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining scalable, secure, and interoperable data systems that support public health program operations, analytics, and strategic decision-making. ODS collaborates with internal CDPH programs, Local Health Jurisdictions (LHJs), and external partners to ensure efficient data integration, governance, and quality. The office fosters innovation in data engineering, analytics, and informatics, supporting initiatives such as enhanced surveillance, operational data systems, and public health response. ODS is committed to equity, transparency, and continuous improvement, empowering teams to deliver high-quality data products and actionable insights for California’s public health ecosystem.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in public health, health care information technology, computer science, or related area, and / or equivalent combination of experience / training PLUS either 3 years of experience in computer or data pipeline programming and database management, OR 3 years working in public health
• Strong skills associated with statistical analysis, database management and systems programming, including SQL, R, Python, and/or experience with Apache Spark language APIs (e.g. PySpark, sparklyr).
• Experience with Databricks, Delta Lake, or cloud-based data lake architectures.
• Broadly encompassing or in-depth knowledge of clinical, health systems, health analytics, or public health informatics.
• Thorough knowledge of all relevant clinical or public health informatics software and systems, and of the highly complex concepts, principles, policies, methodologies, techniques, best practices, regulations, and standards practices involved with health systems, health analytics, public health surveillance or electronic medical data management.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to quickly analyze problems, determine appropriate level of intervention, and develop and apply effective solutions, collect and analyze system performance data, and produce substantive reports and analyses
• Strong problem-resolution skills, with the ability to quickly diagnose problems, and develop, test, and implement appropriate and effective solutions in a timely manner
• Ability to work with senior staff and managers in clinical information technology, health care management, and business analytics, serving as a technical resource and providing advice and counsel on issues of functionality, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, policy, and performance
• Experience using version control systems (e.g., Git) for collaborative development and code management.
• Strong ability to communicate complex information in a clear and concise manner both verbally and in writing.

Preferred

• Master’s degree in computer science, informatics, public health, biostatistics, epidemiology or epidemiology and biostatistics and / or equivalent combination of experience / training PLUS either 1 year of experience in computer or data pipeline programming and database management, OR 1 year working in public health
• Detail oriented, with proven ability to effectively manage time, see projects through to completion, organize competing priorities, and effectively address complex, urgent issues as they arise
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate productively, work in a team environment, and to train and support clinical informatics users at all professional and technical levels throughout the medical center
• Strong ability to think creatively to recommend action steps or strategize solutions relative to public health surveillance, epidemiology informatics, program evaluation, or research.
• Demonstrated proficiency relating to logical data design, data warehouse design, data integration, and data modeling.

About Us

About UCSF

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a leading university dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. It is the only campus in the 10-campus UC system dedicated exclusively to the health sciences. We bring together the world’s leading experts in nearly every area of health. We are home to five Nobel laureates who have advanced the understanding of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, aging and stem cells.

Pride Values

UCSF is a diverse community made of people with many skills and talents. We seek candidates whose work experience or community service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity and excellence – also known as our PRIDE values.

In addition to our PRIDE values, UCSF is committed to equity – both in how we deliver care as well as our workforce. We are committed to building a broadly diverse community, nurturing a culture that is welcoming and supportive, and engaging diverse ideas for the provision of culturally competent education, discovery, and patient care. Additional information about UCSF is available here.

Join us to find a rewarding career contributing to improving healthcare worldwide.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

Salary Information

The final salary and offer components are subject to additional approvals based on UC policy.

Your placement within the salary range is dependent on a number of factors including your work experience and internal equity within this position classification at UCSF. For positions that are represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range will be guided by the rules in the collective bargaining agreement.

To learn more about the benefits of working at UCSF, including total compensation, please visit: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html