Epidemiologist I - Analytics and Informatics-COVID-19
- Summary
- Public Health- Seattle & King County values diverse perspectives and life experiences. The Department encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, and veterans. ?
Do the following interest you?
Developing analysis and reports based on complex data systems
Monitoring and ensuring data integrity
Approaching public health data problems with an informatics lens, leveraging innovative strategies so that resources are used effectively
Public Health – Seattle & King County is seeking an Epidemiologist I to support analysis and surveillance for COVID-19. This position is part of the Communicable Disease Epidemiology and Immunization Section (CD-EPI). The Epidemiologist I works under the direction of a supervisor and does not supervise other staff.
This posting is open continuous until these positions are filled. Applicants from this recruitment may be used to fill additional positions that may occur in the next 6 months.
Commitment To Equity And Social Justice: As the only jurisdiction in the world named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.
We have a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies and policies that promote fairness, justice and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from vulnerable communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.
The selected candidate will integrate King County's Equity and Social Justice principles into the daily functions of this position.
JOB DUTIES:
Respond to data requests by conducting data analysis and visualization.- Conduct epidemiological and statistical analysis using local, state, and federal databases to support disease investigations and determine trends, incidence and prevalence of communicable diseases and immunizations.
- Respond to ad-hoc and outbreak-related data requests by creating custom queries and reports.
- Monitor the Section's syndromic surveillance system and respond to data requests.
- Design and create data visualizations and dashboards (e.g., using Tableau, SAS, and Excel) for internal and external audiences.
- Create and/or update surveillance and outbreak summaries.
Monitor and improve data quality.- Assist in the conduct of data quality assurance, including data cleaning and developing data quality reports and visualizations.
- Assess and work towards improving the quality of data reported to the State's Washington Disease Reporting System.
- Improve data quality and standards by developing documentation and training materials for databases and data collection tools.
- Conduct data de-duplication.
Design or improve infrastructures, tools, and methodologies for collecting communicable disease and immunizations data.- Design, maintain and monitor quality of databases.
- Work with a team of database developers and epidemiologists to design and test improvements to existing databases/systems.
EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS:- Master's degree in epidemiology, informatics, biostatistics, or related field OR any equivalent combination of experience and education which provides the applicant with the skills, knowledge and abilities required to perform the work.
- Experience with data management and analysis in a local or state public health practice setting, in each of the following categories:
- Creating surveillance summaries, outbreak summaries, annual reports or ad hoc reports by creating custom queries.
- Conducting data cleaning and data quality assurance.
- Experience analyzing longitudinal data and relational datasets.
- Creating visualizations of surveillance data, or designing and creating dashboards (using Excel, SAS, or Tableau).
- Demonstrated intermediate or higher SAS programming skills, including knowledge of data recoding, SQL (for extracting or creating data sets), text string searches, coding efficiencies, arrays, recoding data values, macros, date/time calculations, applying formats to variables, merging data sets, transposing data, creating output in HTML/PDF/Word, and conducting statistical modeling.
- Proficient written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work well on a team.
- Demonstrated ability to conduct projects within timelines.
- Ability to work independently with minimal direction; excellent problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work well under pressure with multiple competing priorities and deadlines.
Desired Qualifications:- Experience with database design.
- Experience conducting communicable disease surveillance (e.g., enterics, hepatitis, zoonotics, vaccine-preventable diseases, hospital-acquired infections, or immunizations).
WHO MAY APPLY: This position is open to the general public.
For Special Duty Assignment interest, you must be a Career Service, Career Service Exempt or other regular employees in King County who have completed their initial County probation. You must have supervisor approval prior to taking a Special Duty Assignment.
WORK SCHEDULE: Monday through Sunday, 40 hours per week, which may including evenings. This position is subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act and is overtime eligible where time exceeds 40 hours per week. At Seattle/King County Public Health we strive to be accessible to those we serve. This position may require flexibility to accommodate different work schedules and work locations. Overtime during evenings and weekends may be required as part of emergency response. The duration of this Special Duty/Term-Limited Temporary position may be less than one year if demands on the program decrease.
CONTACT: If you have questions about your application or the application process, please contact Angela Brown, Human Resource Analyst, at abrown@kingcounty.gov.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
A complete application packet will consist of the following:- NEOGOV/Government Jobs on-line
- Completed supplemental questions that are supported in your application. Answers to the supplemental questions will be used to identify eligible candidates for this position; please provide detailed responses to these questions.
- Sample Materials - as described in the supplemental questions, please submit the following materials with your application. As we would like to evaluate your coding and reporting skills to date, please do not write new programs or make modifications to existing ones. If you have concerns about sharing these examples, please send an email to atar.baer@kingcounty.gov.
- One example that demonstrate your SAS programming skill set (e.g., code you have written for data cleaning/analysis).
- One example that demonstrate your reporting skill set, in the form of a disease surveillance summary, outbreak summary, annual report, or ad hoc report you have created.
Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted. For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring
TIMELINE: Candidates who pass the initial screening (based on their responses to the supplemental questions) will be contacted approximately 1-2 weeks after the application period closes. Eligible candidates will be invited to at least one (and possibly two) interviews. Candidates will generally be notified of a final decision within 1-2 weeks of their interview date.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:- A complete King County application will include only the requested materials and fully answered supplemental questions that is supported in your application.
- The selection process may include but is not limited to: evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring.
- Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.
- Staff may be required to play an active role in the event of a public health emergency, which may include changes in responsibilities, work location and working hours.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:- The selected candidate will be required to submit a background check. Records are not automatically disqualifying.
- Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
- Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing required trainings on time.
UNION AFFILIATION:
This position is represented by WSC of County & City Employees, Local 21.
Applicants should be committed to working with diverse populations throughout King County to provide excellent customer service to a broad range of cultures, in accordance with the King County Equity and Social Justice Ordinance and the King County Strategic Plan. This position supports and advances Community Health Services Division's values for fair and culturally competent service delivery, innovative, effective and efficient application of resources, building a culture of performance, and expanding opportunities to seek input, listen and respond to industry and residents.
WHO WE ARE: At King County, our work is guided by our True North and values. Our True North is what we aspire to: Making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive.Our values define the way we act, what's important to us, and our expectations for ourselves and one another.
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
- Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
- Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
- Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
- 10 paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
- Generous vacation and paid sick leave
- Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
- Flexible Spending Account
- Wellness programs
- Onsite gyms and activity centers
- Employee giving program
- Employee assistance programs
- Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
- Training and career development programs
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
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01Do you have experience beyond the classroom setting creating surveillance summaries, outbreak summaries, annual reports, or ad hoc reports by creating custom queries?
- Yes
- No
02If yes to question #1, describe your experience. In your response, include: the setting(s), years of experience (beyond coursework), and your responsibilities in this role. Please attach one or two examples that demonstrate your reporting skill set, in the form of a disease surveillance summary, outbreak summary, annual report, or ad hoc report you have created. If you do not have this experience, please type N/A.03Do you have experience beyond the classroom setting conducting data cleaning and data quality assurance?- Yes
- No
04If yes to question #3, describe your experience. Include the tools you use to complete these tasks, years of experience (beyond coursework), and a description of your experience. Please attach one or two examples of SAS code you have written for data cleaning or data quality assurance. If you do not have this experience, please type N/A.05Do you have experience beyond the classroom setting analyzing longitudinal data and relational datasets?- Yes
- No
06If you answered "Yes" to question #5, describe your experience, including the setting(s) and years of experience (beyond coursework). If you do not have any experience, please type N/A.07Do you have experience beyond the classroom setting creating visualizations of surveillance data, or designing and creating dashboards?- Yes
- No
08If you answered "Yes" to question #7, describe your experience, setting(s) and years of experience (beyond coursework), and tools you use to complete these tasks. If you do not have any experience, please type N/A.09Did you attach supplemental SAS Programs and reports as requested in questions #2 and #4?- Yes
- No
Required Question