Careers

Description:

Are you looking to use your advanced technical knowledge and skills to provide data system administration, advanced statistical analysis, and innovative ideas to support improving of health of communities? If this sounds like the position for you, we invite you to apply for our Data Scientist (Epidemiologist III) position working with our data-driven and solutions-oriented research and epidemiology program.  The Data Scientist (Epidemiologist III) is a Regular, Full-Time (1.0 FTE) position that provides advanced epidemiological, informatics, and geographic information systems (GIS) expertise to support the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department’s mission to protect and improve the health of all people and places in Pierce County. This position serves as a senior technical contributor within the Assessment, Evaluation, and Epidemiology (AEE) team and leads complex analytic projects requiring advanced programming, data science, statistical modeling, and spatial analysis. This role applies tools such as R, Python, SQL, ArcGIS, and Power BI to support data-driven public health action across environmental health, behavioral and mental health, chronic disease, communicable disease, and emerging priority areas. The Data Scientist serves as a subject matter expert, working independently to design analytic approaches, modernize data systems, mentor peers, and communicate findings to technical and non-technical audiences in support of equitable health outcomes for Pierce County residents. This advanced position is the third level of the Epidemiologist series. This role performs complex data collection and analysis and may lead Epidemiologist, and Program Analysts on a project. They work under the direction of the Assessment, Evaluation, & Epidemiology (AEE) Director. An employee assigned to this classification works independently with minimal supervision. Employees in this role utilize a high level of professional judgement and serve as a subject matter expert for executive leadership and management consults.

Essential Functions

• Collects, manages, and interprets complex public health data. Evaluates data and data source quality. 
• Manages and analyzes data, including very large data sets, using advanced statistical methods and techniques to identify patterns, trends, and emerging issues.
• Respond and adapt to changing protocols and standards in epidemiology, informatics, biostatics, and/or other fields related to their specific expertise. 
• Independently prepares and presents findings from epidemiologic investigations and analyses to diverse audiences through reports, dashboards, and other communication tools.
• Leads the design, implementation, and management of complex data collection tools, surveillance systems, and projects with multiple partners.

Safety & Emergency Preparedness

• Adheres to all workplace and trade safety laws, regulations, standards, and practices. 
• Understands and properly follows established procedures in preventing and responding to unsafe or emergency situations. Identifies and reports potentially unsafe practices or conditions. 
• Operates equipment, tools, machinery, and vehicles safely and understands processes for reporting an accident or injury. 
• Understands and applies knowledge and skills necessary to successfully perform assigned emergency response role during an emergency.

Skills/Eligibility:

Click here for a detailed Classification Specification.

 

What you bring to the table

 

• Advanced knowledge of standard Microsoft Office programs; R or Python programs to manipulate and analyze complex datasets; and health and social service databases.
• Advanced knowledge of epidemiologic principles, practices, and techniques. 
• Knowledge of common public health data sources such as those managed by the Department of Health, and social and medical services.
• Advanced math skills related to work performed.
• Skilled in project management.
• Skilled at adapting epidemiologic principles of design and measurement to practice-based public health issues. 
• Working knowledge of local, state, and federal laws applicable to the body of work, including wage and hour law. 
• Working knowledge of Department policies, procedures, and collective bargaining agreements. 
• Skill in building effective and cohesive teams. 
• Skilled in planning, organizing, and leading work activities to meet established goals and objectives. 
• Ability to engage with a variety of partners and projects efficiently and simultaneously.
• Knowledge and skill in management and leadership principles. 
• Knowledge of budget management.
• Skilled in maintaining sensitive and confidential data and using discretion when sharing information.
• Advanced analytical reasoning and problem-solving.
• Technical mentorship and knowledge sharing.
• Project leadership without formal supervisory authority.
• Adaptability and continuous learning.
• Skilled in communication: 
  • Listens to others and communicates in an effective manner. 
  • More Information »