Senior Epidemiologist

California-Mental-Health-Services-Authority; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) is seeking a Senior Epidemiologist to investigate behavioral health outcomes, analyze statistics, and prepare accessible reports. You will lead the Research team, mentor staff, and coordinate with cross‑functional partners to advance statewide policy briefs and dashboards.

The role emphasizes strategic direction, coordination, and ensuring compliance with regulations while translating county‑level findings into statewide insights.

Qualifications

• Requires a master’s or doctoral degree with concentration in epidemiology, biostatistics or public health with a specialization in epidemiology and five (5) years of qualifying epidemiology experience, including at least two (2) years in a lead, supervisory, or project management capacity.

Responsibilities

• Plan, conduct, and evaluate epidemiological studies and investigations; develop study design and methodology; analyze data and prepare reports.
• Support program and policy planning activities; serve as an epidemiological content specialist.
• Conduct investigations of behavioral health issues; analyze data; prepare interpretation and disseminate reports and recommendations.
• Lead geospatial and mapping analytics initiatives (ArcGIS) to support policy design and planning.
• Mentor epidemiology staff and coordinate with cross‑functional partners.

Skills

Epidemiology

Biostatistics

Public health

R

Python

SQL

Machine learning

Geospatial analysis

ArcGIS

Leadership

Communication

Education

Master’s or doctoral degree in epidemiology/biostatistics/public health

Tools

R

Python

SQL

MS Power BI

ArcGIS Pro

Job description

California Mental Health Services Authority, CalMHSA, is a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) serving California’s county-based Behavioral Health system of care. Our mission is to support counties in the service of the most vulnerable people living in the state.

Under the direction of the Director of Research, the Senior Epidemiologist represents a full-time staff position within the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA). The Sr. Epidemiologist is responsible for investigating behavioral health outcomes and programs, analyzing health statistics, and preparing reports of findings that are accessible to various internal and external audiences.[DK2] [HH3] As a key leader within the Research team, this position provides strategic direction, education, and training to team members assigned to them, mentors junior staff—including goal-setting and workload management—and coordinates with healthcare professionals and cross-functional partners.

KEY ACTIVITIES:

• Plans, conducts, and evaluates epidemiological studies and investigations, including the development of study design and methodology, analysis of case and control data, and preparation of reports on the study or investigation findings.
• Supports program and policy planning activities for the CalMHSA partners, with reports and information and by serving as an epidemiological content specialist on program and policy planning.
• Conducts investigations of behavioral health issues, including collecting and analyzing health and behavioral health data as well as reviewing published literature; prepares interpretation of findings and disseminates reports, dashboards and recommendations.
• Assesses best practices in collecting and reporting behavioral health data and liaises with internal and external teams to develop and implement recommended practices.
• Leads geospatial and mapping analytics initiatives (e.g., with ArcGIS) to support policy design, time/distance access standards, and County Behavioral Health Plan planning.
• Analyzes trends; assesses individual- and community-level risk factors in the population; interprets and reports findings that have public health implications and develops policy recommendations.
• Serves as a senior technical leader for the Research team, mentoring epidemiology staff and representing the Research team in internal cross-departmental and external initiatives .
• Responds to complex requests for data on behavioral health-related statistics and associated risk and protective factors.
• Sets strategic priorities and workplans for epidemiology projects and contributes to staffing, budgeting, and resource-planning decisions in collaboration with the Director
• Remains up-to-date with relevant behavioral health policies and integrates that knowledge into epidemiologic studies that support evaluation and implementation of these policies.
• Maintain required documentation regarding activities and communicate actions as required and current understanding of applicable rules, regulations, policies, and guidelines to assure compliance with state, federal, and local requirements.
• Participates in the preparation of grant applications to support enhanced surveillance and targeted epidemiologic research on a specific behavioral health-related problem.
• Translates county-level research findings into statewide policy briefs, dashboards, and presentations that support CalMHSA's advocacy efforts and its role as a research partner to the Department of Health Care Services and other state partners.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

BACKGROUND CHECK ELIGIBLE DUTIES

This position will have access to various applications that house confidential information, including county records, employee demographic and private behavioral health information; ensure that access is used responsibly, maintaining the integrity and security of systems while preventing accidental or malicious misuse.

REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

Requires a master’s or doctoral degree with concentration in epidemiology, biostatistics or public health with a specialization in epidemiology and five (5) years of qualifying epidemiology experience, including at least two (2) years in a lead, supervisory, or project management capacity, preferably specializing in mental health and/substance use disorders or an acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the experience, knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES

• Ability to establish and meet tight deadlines.
• Experience working with modeling techniques to predict trends or assess the impact of policies and programs on behavioral health services.
• Experience working with advanced statistical models (e.g. Poisson, generalized linear, logistic, logic, negative binomial, hierarchical, and Bayesian regression).
• Experience applying machine learning and advanced predictive modeling techniques (e.g., random forests, gradient boosting, neural networks) to behavioral health, electronic health records, or public health datasets.
• Experience working with coding languages including R and SQL and data query/analytic functions (e.g. merging, concatenating and transposing large datasets, and using macros, arrays, etc.).
• Experience with a wide range of available data sources, and able to analyze electronic medical records, population health data, social service program information, or other relevant databases
• Experience with linking information across data sources using varying levels of identifying information
• Experience leading behavioral health program evaluations and investigations, and supporting outreach initiatives among high-risk populations
• Able to act with a high degree of emotional intelligence
• Strong communication and time management skills; able to multitask and organize multiple streams of work effectively, with strong attention to detail and accuracy; able to supervise and direct team members
• Ability to identify confidential and sensitive information and handle according to applicable privacy and security standards. .
• Effective written and oral communication skills; including an ability to synthesize information from a variety of sources into actionable insights
• Demonstrated sense of urgency, initiative, and responsiveness; proactive approach to work
• Possess the interest and ability to work well with a multidisciplinary team to develop solutions to support CalMHSA’s members
• Highly analytical approach to problem analysis and problem‑solving and to effectively collaborate with individuals with varying levels of skill
• The ability to read, understand and implement regulatory language

COMPUTER SKILLS:

Demonstrated advanced proficiency with statistical modeling, automation, machine learning, and data visualization using statistical software (e.g., R, Python) and machine learning libraries/frameworks (e.g., scikit-learn, TensorFlow). Knowledge of graphic and visualization tools, with intermediate to advanced proficiency with MS Power BI, ArcGIS Pro, or other geospatial analytic software preferred. Experience with SQL (querying, data cleaning) preferred.

LANGUAGE SKILLS AND MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Demonstrate the ability to read, comprehend, and respond appropriately through written or verbal form; demonstrate tactfulness when communicating including internal communication with staff members of all levels; ability to communicate with a variety of audiences effectively. Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all measure units, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

REASONING:

Demonstrate the ability to effectively apply common sense and follow through to daily tasks; demonstrate the ability to work with little or no supervision; demonstrate excellent analytical and critical thinking skills; demonstrate the ability to efficiently conduct research and ask appropriate probing questions to complete necessary tasks.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and stand; use phone and headset; use hands, arms, finders to type; answer phones; write; use calculator; demonstrate strength to lift and carry materials weighing up to 10 pounds; demonstrate clear vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.

SENSORY DEMANDS

The incumbent must spend long hours in intense concentration. The incumbent must also spend long hours on the computer entering information which requires attention to detail and high levels of accuracy.

MENTAL DEMANDS

There are a number of deadlines associated with this position, which may cause significant pressure. The incumbent must also attend to a wide variety of individuals regarding various topics/challenges.

REGULAR WORK SCHEDULE:

Schedule varies depending on business needs; however, regular company business hours are 8:00am to 5:00pm, Monday – Friday.