Epidemiologist - CSR 1414

County of Santa Barbara; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 104,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement reciprocity

Advanced vacation accrual

Job summary

County of Santa Barbara Health seeks an Epidemiologist to design and conduct epidemiological studies, analyze health data, and support public health programs in Santa Barbara County. The role emphasizes monitoring disease trends, interpreting complex data, and informing policy decisions.

The ideal candidate has a master’s degree in epidemiology or an MPH with epidemiology, strong data analysis skills using SAS/SQL/R/Tableau/Power BI, and experience communicating with diverse communities.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in epidemiology or MPH with epidemiology specialization.
• Experience analyzing health data and supporting public health programs.
• Strong bilingual Spanish communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and investigate reportable diseases, outbreaks, and public health threats.
• Collect, analyze, and report health data to identify trends and inform action.
• Support disease prevention and response through surveillance, investigation, and intervention.

Skills

Public health experience

Health equity

Spanish bilingual

Data analysis

Collaboration

Education

Master's in Epidemiology

Master's in Public Health (Epidemiology)

Tools

SAS

SQL

R

Tableau

Power BI

Job description

Salary
$50.05 - $60.24 Hourly
$104,101.92 - $125,301.28 Annually

County of Santa Barbara Health is accepting applications to fill one (1) CSR 1414*, Full-Time Epidemiologist position located in Santa Barbara.

We are also accepting applications to establish one employment list that will be used to fill current and future Full-Time, Part-Time, Extra Help and 1414* vacancies in Santa Barbara. This job classification is also utilized by the Department of Behavioral Wellness within the County. Please select ALL departments and locations you would like to be considered for current and future vacancies.

*CSR 1414 (Leave of Absence): This recruitment is to fill a position vacated as a result of a leave of absence (CSR 1414) and the duration of the appointment shall be subject to the return of the individual who is on leave. A person who is appointed to a position under CSR 1414 may be able to transition into a regular position in the classification without re-application or re-testing, depending on the performance of the appointee and the needs of the department.

Visa Sponsorship: Please note this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment.

Benefits: The County of Santa Barbara offers generous benefits, CLICK HERE to view more information. In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for:

• Retirement reciprocity
• Time and service credit towards for an advanced vacation accrual rate

CSR 1414 Benefit Information: The 1414 position is eligible for full-time benefits.

POSITION:

Under general direction, the incumbent plans, designs, and conducts epidemiological research projects and studies; analyzes and interprets health data to monitor and identify populations at risk, the results of health studies, and community environmental factors causing disease; designs survey instruments and data collection systems; evaluates and interprets findings; and performs related duties as required.

This position performs various functions related to the gathering and analysis of health statistical data and information as well as providing assistance to program staff in support of the planning, development, administration, and evaluation of programs.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE will possess:

• Experience supporting public health programs, including epidemiology, communicable disease investigation, outbreak response, contact tracing, and public health data analysis.
• Knowledge of health equity and social determinants of health, with experience analyzing and interpreting data through a health equity lens.
• Strong bilingual Spanish communication skills, including translating complex information for diverse audiences.
• Proficiency with statistical and data analysis tools such as SAS, SQL, R, Tableau, Power BI, or similar software.
• Experience independently extracting, managing, analyzing, and visualizing data from multiple sources to inform public health decision-making.
• Strong project management and analytical skills, including conducting needs assessments, developing data collection tools, ensuring data quality, and presenting findings to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships and work effectively with diverse communities, partners, and stakeholders.

Program:

The Epidemiology Unit is part of County Health's Public Health Services Division and plays a vital role in protecting and improving the health of Santa Barbara County residents. Epidemiology is a core public health function focused on the prevention and control of communicable diseases, chronic diseases, and injuries in the community.

Key responsibilities of the Epidemiology Unit include:

• Monitoring and investigating reportable diseases, outbreaks, and other public health threats.
• Collecting, analyzing, and reporting health data and vital statistics to identify trends and inform public health action.
• Supporting disease prevention and response efforts through surveillance, investigation, and intervention activities.
• Providing education, consultation, and technical assistance to healthcare providers, community organizations, and the public.
• Conducting community health assessments and identifying priority areas to guide public health programs and interventions.
• Collaborating with local, state, and regional partners to address emerging public health issues and improve population health outcomes.

For more information about the Epidemiology Unit, visit: www.santabarbaracounty.gov/ch-epidemiology

• Interprets and analyzes statistical data for behavioral and public health managers and advises them of implications of the findings for behavioral and public health decision-making; designs and defines the type of data to gather for surveys, as well as gathers and reviews current epidemiology-literature;
• Defines populations of interest and examines trends of communicable and chronic disease or other health disparities and social determinants of health for specific groups in the county, and develops epidemiological summary reports based on data analysis results.
• Implements and conducts epidemiological research projects and outbreak investigations; plans, coordinates, and directs collection, coding, and entry of data; develops, maintains, and utilizes existing computerized databases to monitor the current health status of target groups and disease trends.
• Utilizes available data to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of intervention or control strategies; and determines health status measures in order to ensure that established program standards are met.
• Partners with County departments, state health agencies, healthcare providers, public and private community organizations, physicians and behavioral health professionals to coordinate the collection, analysis, and interpretation of health data; support communicable disease surveillance and reporting; and monitor emerging and ongoing public health concerns.
• Participates in needs assessments, resource allocation, program evaluation, planning and development for an assigned program; if required, participates in grant development and administers grant activities for assigned program.
• Demonstrates a commitment to support cultural diversity and health equity County wide, actively supports the County's diversity initiatives, and works to address the needs of diverse and underrepresented communities.

• Possession of a master's degree in epidemiology from an accredited university; OR,
• Possession of a master's degree in public health with specialization in epidemiology from an accredited university; OR,
• A combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to one of the employment standards listed above and that provides the required knowledge and abilities.

Knowledge of:

principles and methods of demography; principles, theories, and procedures of epidemiology, including study design, statistical analysis, and causal inference; behavioral health practices and principles used in psychological research; current research and trends in public health; appropriate computer processing methods used to generate, organize and display statistical and research data; and standard English grammar, spelling, and usage.

Ability to:

Gather, organize, analyze, and report epidemiological data; evaluate possible intervention strategies; apply epidemiological design method theories and advanced statistical analysis; design, develop, and maintain manual and/or computerized databases; use computer software programs to perform statistical analysis; read and understand complex technical information in mathematical or diagrammatical form; speak and write clearly, concisely, and logically; and establish and maintain cooperative relationships with representatives from other departments, general public, and outside organizations.

VETERAN'S PREFERENCE POINTS:

Veteran’s preference credit is applicable for this recruitment (5 points for veterans, 10 points for disabled veterans). To be eligible for this credit, you must be applying for this position within five years from your most recent date of: (1) honorable discharge from active military service; or, (2) discharge from a military or veterans’ hospital where treatment and confinement were for a disability incurred during active military service; or, (3) completion of education or training funded by a Federal Educational Assistance Act. No time limit exists for veterans with 30% or more disability.

To receive veteran’s preference points, you must: (1) select the Veteran’s Preference Points box on the employment application form, (2) submit a copy of your Form DD214 and supporting materials to the Human Resources Department on or before the examination date, and (3) pass all phases of the examination process. The preference points will be added to your final test score.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of accommodation needed from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.

County of Santa Barbara Health (County Health) requires all employees working in direct contact with patients or clients in a high-risk environment to comply with the County Health Employee Immunizations policy. This can be accomplished by providing documentation of immunizations, submitting laboratory immune titers demonstrating adequate immunity, or obtaining required vaccinations. A list of requirements, based on the specific program, will be sent at the time an offer letter is presented to the selected candidate(s) and initial documentation will be required at this time.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

The County of Santa Barbara provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any type with regard to any characteristic or status protected by any federal law, state law, or Santa Barbara County ordinance. The County continues to be committed to a merit-based selection process and to eliminating barriers to attracting and retaining top qualified candidates. The County has a longstanding practice of providing a work environment that respects the dignity of individual employees and values their contributions to our organization.

Farrah Medrano, County Health Talent Acquisition Lead – [e-mail]