Communicable Disease Epidemiologist II

Adams County; Brighton (CO); Vor Ort; USD 90.000 - 120.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

Adams County seeks an experienced Communicable Disease Epidemiologist II to lead outbreak investigations, design data collection tools, and conduct analyses for surveillance and performance metrics. You will collaborate with the Health Data and GIS team to improve disease control and equity in the community.

The role requires strong communication skills, at least four years in epidemiology, and the ability to mentor surge staff while delivering timely reports for county and regional partners.

Qualifikationen

• Four (4) years of related experience in communicable disease epidemiology or a related field.
• Experience with underserved communities and cross-functional collaboration is preferred.
• Ability to design data collection tools and conduct outbreak investigations.
• Strong written and verbal communication for diverse audiences.

Aufgaben

• Lead epidemiologist in outbreak and novel case investigations, designing data collection tools and coordinating tasks.
• Write outbreak reports and perform outbreak data analyses independent of supervision.
• Develop surveys, data collection tools, and analytics for case investigations and surveillance.
• Train surge staff and provide technical support for disease prevention and control.
• Collaborate with Health Data, GIS teams, and external public health partners on data analysis and reporting.
• Communicate strategies to improve health outcomes with equity considerations.

Kenntnisse

Epidemiology

Outbreak investigations

Data analysis

Written and verbal communication

Health equity awareness

Ausbildung

Bachelor's degree in public health/epidemiology

Master's degree in public health/epidemiology (may substitute for 2 years of experience)

Tools

SAS

R

EpiInfo ArcGIS

Tableau

SQL

Web-based data collection tools

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

Teams / online meeting platforms

Jobbeschreibung

The Communicable Disease Epidemiologist (CDE) II is responsible for performing day-to-day case and outbreak investigations, interviews, data collection, and management of foodborne, waterborne, zoonotic, vaccine preventable and respiratory communicable disease events. This role will perform responsibilities and work towards the goals and vision of the Communicable Disease Program and team members. These responsibilities include creating surveys and data collection tools, reports, and analytics for case investigations, outbreaks, surveillance, forecasting, and performance metrics. The CDE II will work closely with the Health Data and GIS team to develop innovative ways to collect, analyze, and use data to improve communicable disease work and develop insights for future disease risks to the county and region. Responsibilities will be conducted under the guidance and direction of the Communicable Disease Senior Epidemiologist and Program Manager.

Leadership

• Perform as lead epidemiologist in outbreak and novel case investigations, including designing data collection tools, evaluating capacity, assigning tasks, and assuring effective communication and completion of tasks.
• Perform complex investigations independently and consult with the Manager and other team members on complex investigations
• Provide feedback, guidance, and evaluation of investigation responsibilities to Manager and other CDE
• Independently write outbreak reports and perform outbreak data analyses
• Assist in developing policies and work plans for investigations
• Identify improvements to investigation techniques and interventions to create efficiencies and uniquely serve populations in and around Adams County
• Identify opportunities and participate in epidemiologic studies and special communicable disease projects to better understand disease and improve interventions and health outcomes
• Work with Communicable Disease Epidemiology Manager, Medical Officer, and other Department program staff, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and other local public health agencies to perform outbreak and emerging disease investigations and response functions.
• Assist in providing technical support and expertise for communicable disease prevention and control to Adams County Health Department (ACHD) staff, local health care providers, and the general public
• Work with communicable disease data through EpiTrax, ArcGIS, and other surveillance tools
• Help train surge staff in various aspects of communicable disease investigation, control and surveillance
• Maintain informational materials related to communicable diseases
• Create and share program work through conferences, meetings, and to community partners
• Serve as part of an on-call rotation for urgent business and after-hours calls related to communicable disease control

General and Administrative

• Assist in developing and maintaining policies, procedures, and work plans to perform and improve communicable disease investigations, community engagement, and resource support for affected communities/individuals in collaboration with Adams County and external partners.
• Work with Communicable Disease Epidemiology Manager, process improvement staff and division director to develop and implement strategies for continuous process improvement
• Communicate ideas for ways to collect, evaluate, and analyze qualitative and quantitative data within the communicable disease workflows to inform equity related decision-making processes and maximize resources within the department and community
• Incorporate data, community input, and evidence-based guidelines to make recommendations and communicate strategies to improve

health outcomes, considering the varied needs of specific populations, such as issues related to age, gender, culture, and health inequities.

Emergency Preparedness and Response Duties

• Support public health emergencies, incidents and events using Incident Command Systems. Participate in all exercises and drills on emergency preparedness and response. Completes trainings identified as appropriate for this level employee.
• Provide technical support and expertise to ACHD staff, local health care providers, and the public regarding appropriate management and control of communicable disease.

Additional duties

• Perform other duties as assigned and required.

• Understand, process, and communicate data to a variety of audiences
• Understand how health equity can impact the spread or containment of communicable diseases and implement ways to address those within the community
• Demonstrate a commitment to work in a high stress environment with time sensitive response activities during outbreaks and emerging disease investigations, including after-hours work when necessary
• Demonstrate cultural humility working in multicultural environments, including the ability to work with diverse staff and partners from community-based organizations, government staff, and elected officials
• Exercise tact, discretion, and sound judgement in office and community environments
• Demonstrate outstanding skills and abilities in verbal and written communication and adapt style to fit audiences of varying technical levels, and at various levels within an organization, in groups and individual settings
• Possess working knowledge of and practice the principles of health equity and how it is applied, including an understanding of oppression, privilege, and social justice
• Demonstrate knowledge of current conditions influencing health in Adams County communities
• Use professional concepts and agency objectives to resolve complex issues in creative and effective ways
• Exhibit work values that embrace a diversity of opinions that will lead to clear outcomes
• Have experience working effectively with people from diverse backgrounds from both within and outside the organization
• Solve problems and provide exceptional customer service
• Have determination to achieve outcomes, complete tasks, and deliver on professional commitments
• Workeffectively and adeptlyin a complex political environment
• Demonstrate a commitment to Adams County communities experiencing health equity challenges
• Be proficient in Microsoft Office tools including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook as well as Teams and online meeting platforms
• Use or learn SAS, R, EpiInfo ArcGIS, Tableau, SQL, web-based data collection tools

Experience

• Four (4) years of related experience in communicable disease epidemiology or a related field is required.
• Experience working in or with underserved communities, working with institutional leadership, facilitating meetings, measuring and monitoring program evaluation activities and working in multi-disciplinary, multicultural, and multi-sectoral environments is preferred

Education & Training

• A Bachelor’s degree received from an accredited college or university with major coursework in public health and/or epidemiology or a related field is required.
• A Master's Degree in with major coursework in public health, epidemiology, or related field may substitute for 2 years' professional experience.

Preferred

• Bilingual in English and Spanish or other primary language spoken in Adams County

License Or Certificate

• Must be in possession of valid driver's license and have access to dependable transportation readily available for business use.

Background Check

Must pass a criminal background check.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Work is primarily conducted indoors with occasional time spent in an outside environment. Incumbent will experience routine exposure to hazards of a typical office environment. Requires travel between Adams County offices and to locations in the surrounding community for investigations and meetings. May be required to work outside regular hours to attend meetings or events.

• Occasional moderate lifting and carrying objects up to 15 pounds
• Occasional use of automobile, usually no more than one hour at a time
• Requires sufficient hearing and speech ability to communicate verbally in response to inquiries, to conduct needs assessments and evaluations, and to speak to groups of people in presentations
• Requires sufficient writing ability to fluidly and accurately communicate needs in grants and program development
• Requires manual dexterity to operate computer equipment
• Requires field work that may increase your risk for infectious disease and working with populations at higher risk for adverse health outcomes, strongly recommend up to date vaccines
• Requires fit testing for personal protective equipment required for certain field investigations