Title: Public Health Epidemiologist
Location: Des Moines United States
Job Description:
Only applicants who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements and selective requirements will be placed on the eligible list.
Remote/Hybrid work option. Ideally this position would be located in Des Moines, however for the right candidate consideration may be given to other HHS locations within the state. Regardless of the location, this position will be required to travel to other HHS locations throughout the state on an as needed basis.
Must reside in IA on or by start date. We do not provide sponsorship.
The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services' (Iowa HHS) Division of Public Health, Bureau of Health Statistics is seeking four Public Health Epidemiologists.
Summary:
Support current initiatives to strengthen Iowa HHS capacity for population health data analyses, timely data-driven decisions, and recommendations for action. Work with leadership and management teams to review and analyze public health data; provide advanced statistical expertise and data visualizations, guidance, and support to public health leaders, data teams, and local partners.
Use statistical probability distributions to guide Iowa HHS on what population health events are likely to happen, when, and which geographic regions are at risk. Lead public health data tracking, statistical analysis, and reporting with potential comparisons to state and national benchmarks.
Act as a public health champion by fostering cross-collaboration efforts with Iowa HHS leaders and partners. Identify opportunities to centralize and standardize efforts with other epidemiologists to improve public health surveillance efforts, reporting, and timely communication of findings with implications for continuous improvement, training, and best practices. Determine the processes necessary to get things done and identify the people, systems, and tools needed to create ongoing efficiency, synergy, and integration of efforts. Routinely demonstrate a collaborative and empowering leadership style that embraces diversity of opinion while leading others to clear outcomes.
Responsibilities:
Lead epidemiological and statistical oversight, design, collection, analysis, and evaluation of assigned programs/initiatives to understand the distribution and determinants of disease frequency in populations.
Conceptualize and conduct analyses using a population-based approach that support action planning for Iowa's diverse populations. Understand and communicate how health equity can impact the spread/containment of diseases and develop ideas for why that may occur in a community.
Provide current data insights and analyses for evidence-based decision making; participate in the design or review of various public health assessments; and use data to inform program planning, policy recommendations, communication campaigns, and/or best practices.
Utilize mathematical and statistical methods such as SAS, R, ArcGIS, Tableau, and Power BI to perform data analysis and visualizations. Understand basic database concepts including data interoperability, data dictionary, and data storage to inform strategy and data modernization efforts.
Provide technical assistance to designated areas within Iowa HHS and conduct gap-filling analysis to expand the capacity of existing program-specific epidemiologists and teams.
Understand, process, and communicate data as information to various audiences.
Work cross-functionally with leadership and staff to develop and implement strategies for continuous process improvement and data evaluation.
Disseminate findings to internal and external stakeholders, including writing and review of publications, peer reviewed journals, summaries, manuscripts, communication campaigns, and special reports; present results to the scientific community at professional meetings and conferences; and guide decision-making and recommendations for specific action, best practices, and new policies.
Collaborate with divisions and programs on planning and response for public health emergencies.
Interpret federal and state regulations and requirements, provide data, write, and/or assist in grant proposals, and correspond with federal and state agencies on programmatic and administrative policies.
Participate in various data work groups, CDC site visits, and trainings.
Excellent time management skills and ability to prioritize projects.
Create a learning environment leading to efficient and effective work processes.
Participate in other duties as assigned including assignments made in an emergency/disaster as mutually agreed upon by employee and employer.
Identify opportunities (trainings, certifications, or conferences) to continuously improve epidemiological principles, skills and knowledge base applicable to role and for upskilling workforce.
Proactively share innovative ideas, solutions, and best practices with other divisions and bureaus.
Express cultural humility and experience working in multicultural environments, including the ability to work with diverse staff and partners from community-based organizations, government staff, and elected officials.
Desired Qualifications:
Master's degree
3 years of applied experience preferred.
Proficient in the use of SAS, R or other statistical software systems and performing epidemiological surveillance and statistical analysis.
Applicant will be required to complete a background check to be considered for this position.
How to Apply:
For help creating a profile or entering your information, please go to the online: Employment Application Guide.
Benefits:
We have a great total compensation package for all our full-time employees, including:
Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System (IPERS) (Employee contributes 6.29%/State of Iowa contributes 9.44%)
Retirement Investors Club (RIC) (Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan) (State of Iowa matches up to $75/month)
Health, Dental and Vision Insurance (See below for more details)
Vacation Leave (96 hours/year to begin, and increases with years of service)
Sick Leave (144 hours/year)
Paid Holidays (9 days/year)
Flexible Spending Accounts
Life Insurance ($20,000 paid for by the State of Iowa)
Long-Term Disability Insurance
For additional information on our amazing benefits, click on this link Benefits at a Glance.
IHHS values those with "lived experience" and encourages adults who were fostered as youth, foster parents, and/or parents who were in the DHS system to apply.
E-Verify Statement:
Our agency uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.
535 Public Health:
6 months experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both related to improving, maintaining, and protecting the general condition of health within society, either on a personal, institutional, organizational, or community basis. Experience may be gained from direct provision of health care or from other ancillary programs and support mechanisms such as government public health departments.
OR
185 Epidemiology:
6 months experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both in epidemiology, which involves:
The surveillance for respiratory diseases, vector-born diseases, enteric diseases, antimicrobial-resistant agents, or other infectious or non-infectious diseases
The development of protocols and procedures for data collection and analysis, ongoing analysis of data using a variety of databases and statistical analysis programs
The development and dissemination of written reports, graphs, tables, etc.
OR
576 Quantitative Social Science Research:
6 months experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both in quantitative social science research in sociology, psychology, economics, government, public administration, or criminal justice, which includes the following:
Developing research methodologies and data collection methods
Using statistical software such as SPSS and SAS
Calculating statistical data and analyzing and drawing conclusions from it
Compiling statistical data and writing books and reports
Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:
1) Graduation from an accredited college or university with a graduate degree in public health with at least two courses related to the principles and practice of epidemiology. Attach an unofficial transcript for verification.
2) All of the following (a and b):
a. Graduation from an accredited college or university with a non-public health graduate degree with at least two courses related to the principles and practice of epidemiology; (attach an unofficial transcript) and
b. Three years of experience in applied epidemiology in an infectious, noninfectious, or chronic diseases; environmental poisonings or conditions; injury prevention; or a substance misuse related epidemiology program.
