Careers

Description:

DESCRIPTION:

This position provides epidemiological support to Public Health’s communications, activities, and programs.  Services may research, data collection, analysis, interpretation, evaluation and presentation of information appropriate for a variety of audiences and formats.
 
Work assignments are broad and complex in nature. The position requires the ability to work independently and with limited direction to identify courses of action that are within the framework of the Department’s policies and procedures. Work involves coordination with many employees and other external partners.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

• Gathers data and performs data entry into a variety of database programs. Leads database design, development, and data management.
• Performs statistical analysis of monitoring and evaluation data and demographic and health data from a variety of sources.
• Creates tabular and graphic presentation using a variety of statistical packages database programs, visualization software, spreadsheets, word processing and other software and graphics programs.
• Leads co-workers and community partners in appropriate statistics, monitoring and evaluation methods and data collection, data management, data analysis, interpreting and using the data for program planning, performance outcome measurement, quality improvement projects, and development of health policy.
• Assists other co-workers with data presentation procedures as needed.
• Prepares reports and fact sheets and makes presentations on the public health issues and the health status of Grays Harbor County.
• As needed, conducts disease surveillance and outbreak investigations to identify causative agents and environmental conditions resulting in outbreaks and assists in other disease response/prevention activities in collaboration with the communicable disease team and Department employees.
• Develops materials for, facilitates and/or participates in meetings with Department program employees, contract and community partners.
• Participates in statewide, regional and community groups, committees, and coalitions as necessary.
• Performs research and literature reviews when appropriate, and assists with writing grants as needed.
• Responds to public health emergencies as required by the department, or other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in public health, community health, or a closely related field. Master’s degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, or Biostatistics preferred.
• Three (3) years of progressively responsible professional experience in public health assessment or closely related field and that is directly applicable or comparable to the duties and responsibilities of the position OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the necessary skills, knowledge and abilities to perform the duties as listed.
• Valid Washington State Drivers’ License

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Performance measurement and quality improvement methods.
• Disease surveillance and outbreak investigation procedures.
• Maintains knowledge of current are of work, such as statistical, medical and biological concepts, public health best practices, social determinants of health, asset based community development principles and practices, trauma-informed/responsive practices, and health equity.
• Grant program policies, procedures, and reporting standards for all sources of funding.
• Principles and procedures for grant applications, administration, accounting, and records management.

Skilled in:

• Verbal and written communications (i.e. presentations, reports, deliverable documentation, infographics, etc.).
• The use of Microsoft Office Suite for electronic communications and scheduling, creating professional documents, spreadsheets and charts using formulas, references, linking, and other advanced functions.
• The use of numerical analysis software, and data visualization software.
• Data analysis and use of appropriate data sources and research methods.
• Evaluating community needs, leading community processes (such as a Community Health Assessment or Community Health Improvement Plan), and developing recommendations for short and long term prevention, policy, system, and or environmental strategies that address determinants of health.
• The strong interpersonal skills necessary to nurture lasting relationships with community partners.

 Ability to:

• Manage multiple priorities and prioritize tasks in order to ensure timeliness, quality and quantity of work.
• Use data, analytical skills, and systems-thinking to assess and identify problems, develop effective, creative, and resourceful solutions.
• Translate data into actionable key messages, or visual images.
• Receive, process, and provide complex visual, verbal, and written information. Ability to present complex ideas in understandable and approachable ways that result in high quality effective communication with all audiences.
• Exercise skill and judgment in engaging effectively and respectfully with members of the public, community groups, co-workers, etc.; maintains excellent public relations in all situations, including unusual, complex, difficult or high-tension situations.
• Work effectively with diverse individuals and community organizations. Possess commitment to and demonstrate expertise in understanding root causes of health inequalities; advocate for equity related to age, disability, religious culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation, social class, indigenous background, national origin and gender.
• Work effectively in a team environment as well as independently; coordinate work with other employees, supervisors, and managers as appropriate.
• Exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality when appropriate (such as resolving a problem with a contractor, etc.).
• Maintain a respectful demeanor, interact effectively with others, and recognize and attend to self-care when job stress, heavy workload and stressful situations occur.