Public Health Epidemiologist

The Department of Health and Human Services – Public Health is currently hiring a permanent Public Health Epidemiologist.  The Public Health Epidemiologist is responsible for analyzing and interpreting population-based health data, developing and implementing public health surveillance systems, conducting public health program evaluation, coordinating outbreak investigations, and presenting epidemiologic results to a wide variety of audiences.

This recruitment is continuous and open until filled and will be subject to close at anytime.

To be considered for the first applicant screening, please submit your application and supplemental exam on or before January 3, 2016.

After the first screening, additional screening will take place every two weeks beginning January 15, 2016.

To plan, organize, and conduct various field studies and surveillance to determine the patterns of disease in the community; evaluate health impact of department programs; to make recommendations regarding the possible causation of disease and disease processes, their correlation with behavioral risk factors and community conditions; to control epidemics and eradicate of disease; and to be responsible for consulting with division of the Community Health and other County agencies on issues of health-related research, data analysis and program evaluation.

Under the direction of the Public Health Officer or designee, this position is responsible for the analysis and reporting of Public Health data including but not limited to births/deaths; maternal and child health data, communicable diseases, chronic diseases, injuries and environmental health.  The incumbent will assume responsibility for the development of a department-wide framework to appraise the health status of the community and assist in monitoring the effectiveness of public health activities in addressing these community health indicators.

Receives direction from the Public Health Officer or designee.

Exercises technical and functional supervision over professional, technical and clerical staff.

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Utilize data to develop an understanding of the patterns of health problems in a community and to identify risk factors leading to these problems.
• Plan and implement surveillance programs.
• Analyze technical epidemiological data and make recommendations for interventions.
• Utilize computerized data management tools to analyze standard data sets.
• Present findings in both a written and oral format appropriate to level of target audience (both technical and community based).
• Develop and implement statistical analysis methodologies to evaluate effectiveness of interventions in improving community health indicators.
• Assist in development of needs assessments and grant proposals.
• Establish and maintain health information and surveillance systems to monitor community health status and trends.

It is the applicant's responsibility to identify in their application materials how they meet the Minimum Qualifications listed below.

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Two years of full-time professional-level experience in planning, developing and evaluating epidemiological data or similar research preferably in a public health setting.

Training: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in public health, epidemiology, biological science, health science or a closely related health field.

Or:

Experience:  None

Training: Possession of a Master’s Degree in public health or a closely related field.

License or Certificate:
May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

 Applicants receiving their degree outside the United States must submit proof of accreditation by a recognized evaluation agency.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and methods of public health practice, in collecting, tabulating and interpreting public health and medical statistical data.
• Availability, uses and limitations of demographic and health data, biostatistics and interpretation of small number analyses.
• Computer applications related to the work, including database development and modification and report generation technique (examples: Harvard Graphics, desktop publishing, Epi info, GIS, internal, and/or other epidemiological data systems, word processing, data base systems, statistical analysis, etc.).
• Federal, State and local laws and regulations pertaining to public health practice and administration.
• Funding sources and grant application and contracting practices.

Ability to:

• Develop and recommend policies and procedures related to program activities.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with personnel at all levels of the organization; other health officials, representatives of other agencies and the public.
• Interpret and analyze data, identify patterns of disease processes and make appropriate recommendations.
• Prepare accurate statistical and narrative reports, computer documentation and other written materials.
• Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted during the course of work.
• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job, analyze work papers, complex data sets, reports, and special projects; identify and interpret technical and numerical information and trends in data; know of trends, data sources, laws, regulations and codes; remember various rules and interpret policy; observe and problem solve operational and technical policy and procedures.
• On an intermittent basis, sit at desk or in meetings; intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; walk, stand, bend, squat, kneel, or twist, perform simple grasping and find manipulation; use telephone, and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means or enter/retrieve data from computer; and lift weight.

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula.  Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

All applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be required to respond to an online Conviction History Questionnaire, which will be sent as a link on their notification that minimum qualifications have been met.  Failure to respond to this questionnaire within (3) three calendar days of the minimum qualification notification will result in disqualification from the examination.

 

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination, which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation, sign a constitutional oath and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S.  For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation and/or be bonded.

 

All new permanent employees, with the exception of sworn law enforcement and management, shall be required to join the employee organization or pay an 'Agency Fee' as a condition of employment.

The eligible list(s) resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification.  For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

Placer County now offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please visit our website at: http://www.jobaps.com/placer/sup/abfreenames.asp.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment and retaliation is prohibited and that all employees and applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All recruitment, hiring, transfer and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of sex, sexual orientation, race, color, ancestry, religious creed, national origin, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, or any other classification protected by federal, state or local laws or ordinance. Please contact the Personnel Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change.  It is advisable that applicants inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Personnel Department.

Click here to view benefits for Professional bargaining unit