EPIDEMIOLOGIST 21170
(Competitive)
The work involves responsibility for providing prompt, quality services to the Onondaga County Department of Health and to the public in the areas of community health assessment, epidemiology and biostatistics. This position is technically oriented, requiring training and experience in the areas of statistics and biostatistics. Under general supervision from the Director of Community Health, an employee in this class performs quantitative and qualitative research and analysis and provides direction, coordination, evaluation and assessment for all functional program areas in accordance with policies and guidelines. The incumbent works closely with other program, management and administrative staff throughout the Health Department to provide continuity and coordinated effort towards high quality, effective and efficient public health services to the community. The incumbent is given latitude for the exercise of independent judgement and initiative in planning, developing and recommending services. Work is reviewed through conferences and submission of job reports. Supervision is exercised over subordinate professional and para-professional staff. Does related work as required.
Performs and oversees ongoing epidemiological research and analysis of the health status of our community, associated needs, special populations at risk, financial impacts and future trends.
Guides and oversees the work of research technicians and works effectively with unit personnel to establish goals, policies and procedures, planning and scheduling and other activities.
Directs data collection and analysis in support of the Community Health Assessment.
Develops, maintains and oversees implementation of the Community Health Improvement Plan.
Consults with Onondaga County Health Department administrative and program staff regarding the collection, management, analysis and use of program statistics and performance measures in program monitoring and evaluation.
Provides support for quality improvement initiatives throughout the department and is responsible for facilitating the identification, implementation and evaluation of quality improvement initiatives within the Health Assessment Unit.
Provides support to the department on issues related to local Health Department accreditation and strategic planning.
Oversees implementation of evidence-based practices and program evaluation strategies within the department.
Acts as a liaison with community groups and other governmental agencies on matters pertaining to epidemiology and community health assessment.
Directs all internal and external requests for Health Department data.
Prepares written reports (including illustrative graphs and data tables) of a technical nature in a manner that is understandable to general audiences.
Oversees and mentors public health students completing field work for class credit in the Public Health Surveillance unit.
Participates in public health preparedness activities as trained and assigned.
Utilizes appropriate methods for interacting effectively and professionally with person of all ages and with diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial and ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, lifestyles and physical abilities.
Good knowledge of public health issues and problems, and the principles of epidemiology, demography and biostatistics.
Good knowledge of the principles, application and techniques of public health surveillance, research design and survey methodology and program evaluation.
Good knowledge of sources of health data, and of the application of statistical methods related to the subject matter field under study.
Working knowledge of the techniques and principles of supervision.
Ability to supervise and coordinate activities of professional and paraprofessional staff.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
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Ability to describe and present technical information or concepts on a variety of levels to suit a targeted audience.
Ability to assess implication of research results for public health policy and programs, and to advise administrators and stakeholders of results.
Ability to represent the Department and communicate effectively with the public, legislators, the media, outside agencies and other County departments.
Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with a Master's degree in epidemiology or a health related field with a minimum of six (6) credits in epidemiology and six (6) additional credits in either epidemiology or biostatistics, and three (3) years of full-time professional-level work experience, or its part-time equivalent, conducting data collection, analysis, and reporting in support of applied epidemiologic investigations and public health surveillance (for example: Studying disease patterns and tracking risk factors for disease in a public health practice setting), one (1) year of which must have been in a supervisory capacity.
NOTE: A PhD in epidemiology, biostatistics or public health may be substituted for one (1) year of the above non-supervisory work experience.
11/2017 Date of Original Composition
04/2018 Revised