Job Description

　　The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is seeking an experienced and dedicated professional to join the Office of Population Health (OPH) as the OPH Surveillance Epidemiologist to support the surveillance activities led by OPH. The OPH Surveillance Epidemiologist will analyze and interpret data, ensure the quality of surveillance systems, provide technical assistance and leadership for research activities, and collaborate with other Bureaus, Offices, Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EHS) agencies, and academic, community, federal, state, and local public health partners to promote population health, health equity, health, and improvement of disease control efforts, mainly focusing on EHS-wide Interagency Health Equity Task Force (IHET) efforts.

　　Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

　　Analyze collected data using appropriate statistical methods; summarize results; disseminate information to inform program policy and practice; and contribute to the generalized body of scientific knowledge through presentations or publications to support IHET.Conceptualize, recommend, and implement initiatives to identify and address needs and gaps in DPH surveillance to support IHET efforts. Design and implement new reporting tools and frameworks to help the DPH and IHET identify, assess, and recommend policies that EHS could adopt to advance health equity.Supports the OPH team in building infrastructure capacity around data modernization activities by developing effective, efficient, and equitable strategies and systems for the data lifecycle.Develop resources and other tools to facilitate OPH in meeting program requirements, reporting timelines, and deliverables that address ongoing public health challenges related to health equity.Provides support and coordination for preparing reports and presentations on the status and progress of assigned surveillance and data analysis activities to the OPH leadership and staff.Attends internal and external meetings related to OPH's work, as requested.

　　Required Qualifications:

　　Able to work independently and lead collaborations with internal and external partners. Knowledge of epidemiologic and biostatistical research methods and techniques and the methods of statistical report writing.Capable to analyze and determine the applicability of epidemiologic and demographic data to draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.Qualified to design analysis plans, collect and oversee epidemiological data, conduct statistical analyses, and interpret findings.Skilled to conduct analyses for policy and program monitoring, development, evaluation, research, and surveillance.Capacity to provide analytic leadership to program staff and frame evaluation questions.Knowledge of specific social, cultural, economic, and linguistic factors in the population and affected communities.

　　Preferred Qualifications:

　　Expertise in statistical computer software packages and applications, including but not limited to SAS and data visualization software such as ArcGIS, Power BI, and Tableau.Extensive experience working with large, complex data sets, data linkage, and using linked data.Excellent written and oral communication skills and experience with the creation of data documents for multiple audiences.High level of self-motivation and accountability, bringing enthusiasm and energy to team and tasks.Detail-oriented and highly organized, with a strong ability to successfully multi-task.Proficient usage of Microsoft Office products, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and Outlook.

　　About the Office of Population Health:

　　The Office of Population Health (OPH) was established in 2017 to facilitate access to timely, actionable data to reduce health inequities in the Commonwealth measurably. OPH promotes the use of a racial equity lens and social determinants of health framework to understand population health disparities and inform public health policies, programs, and investments that measurably reduce health inequities. OPH operates major public health surveillance systems and serves as a catalyst for DPH Bureaus and Offices to adopt data-driven, equity-centered approaches to achieve wellness and health equity for all people in the Commonwealth.

　　About the Department of Public Health:

　　The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to prevent illness, injury, and premature death, to assure access to high quality public health and health care services, and to promote wellness and health equity for all people in the Commonwealth.

　　We envision a Commonwealth in which all people enjoy optimal health. Massachusetts ranks among the healthiest of states according to comparative analyses, but we face numerous challenges, including chronic and infectious disease, substance abuse, violence, preventable hospitalizations, and health disparities.

　　DPH coordinates programs and policies to address specific diseases and conditions and offer services to address the needs of vulnerable populations. We also develop, implement, promote, and enforce regulations and policies to assure that the conditions under which people live are most conducive to health and enable people to make healthy choices for themselves and their families. We license health professionals, healthcare facilities and a variety of businesses that impact public health. We operate the state laboratory and four public health hospitals. We monitor health status and manage vital records including births, marriages and deaths. We educate people about public health issues and work closely with local boards of health and community partners to identify and solve public health problems.

　　More information can be found at:MA Department of Public Health

　　Pre-Hire Process:

　　A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

　　Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.

　　Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

　　If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form

　　For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800- 510-4122 Ext. #2

　　Qualifications

　　First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

　　Applicants must have at least (A) five (5) years of full-time or equivalent part-time professional or technical experience in epidemiology, biology, biostatistics, toxicology, environmental science, environmental health, ecology, public health, chemistry, virology, immunology, bacteriology, microbiology, or statistics and (B) of which at least two (2) years must have been in a professional capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions listed below.

　　Substitutions:

　　I. A Bachelor's degree with a major in epidemiology, biology, biostatistics, toxicology, environmental science, environmental health, ecology, public health, chemistry, virology, immunology, bacteriology, microbiology, statistics, or other health-related field may be substituted for a maximum of two (2) years of the required (A) experience.

　　II. A Master's degree or higher with a major in epidemiology, biology, biostatistics, toxicology, environmental science, environmental health, ecology, public health, chemistry, virology, immunology, bacteriology, microbiology, statistics, or other health-related field may be substituted for a maximum of three (3) years of the required (A) experience and one (1) year of the required (B) experience.

　　*Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

　　NOTE: Educational substitution will only be permitted for a maximum of one (1) year of the (B) experience.

　　Comprehensive Benefits

　　When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

　　Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

　　COVID Vaccine: As a condition of employment, depending on job assignment and location, employees may be required to have received COVID-19 vaccination and/or other vaccinations, or to have been approved for a vaccination exemption prior to their start date. Details relating to demonstrating compliance with this requirement will be provided to applicants selected for employment.

　　An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

　　The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.