County of Alameda

Under administrative direction oversees, plans, develops, and manages epidemiology, surveillance, and evaluation program(s) in Public Health; provides direction and epidemiology input into public health program goals, objectives, initiatives, interventions, and priorities; directs the activities of multidisciplinary professional and support staff engaged in epidemiological analysis, surveillance, program evaluation, or research studies; coordinates program activities within the department and with other agencies, and performs related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This is the first-line supervisory class in the Epidemiologist series located in the Health Care Services Agency.  Incumbents in this class oversee epidemiology functions and provide strategic direction within a program, or multiple programs, and supervise a group of subordinate staff engaged in epidemiology, surveillance, and evaluation activities.

The class of Supervising Epidemiologist is distinguished form the lower class of Epidemiologist III in that the latter functions as an advanced journey level specialist or lead, while the former is responsible for the direct supervision of a team of subordinate staff.  This class is further distinguished from the Epidemiology Research Scientist in that the latter functions independently designing, analyzing and interpreting scientific research.

NOTE:  The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification.  However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level.  Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1.  Recruits, selects, trains, supervises, and evaluates performance of multidisciplinary professional and support staff engaged in surveillance, data collection, data analysis, or research studies.

2.  Establishes objectives and priorities for activities and operations related to epidemiological surveillance, or evaluation program(s).

3.  Contribute to long-term planning for epidemiology, surveillance, or evaluation programs in a division.

4.  Provides epidemiologic consultation on epidemiology, surveillance, data systems development, data analysis, program evaluation, or research methods to department leadership and external agencies.

5.  Oversees the development and implementation of policies, plans, protocols and procedures for complex surveillance, epidemiologic investigations, and/or evaluation activities.

6.  Serves as primary or lead epidemiology liaison with the state health department and other funders and collaborators.

7.  Provides oversight for development and monitoring of program budget including grants, cooperative agreements and associated funding in support of epidemiology, surveillance, evaluation, or research activities.

8.  Oversees and directs analyses involving complex datasets, linkage of datasets and/or information systems and advanced statistical analyses.

9.  Oversees relational database design, data systems integration, and evaluation of data and information systems.

10.  Develops collaborations for analysis projects between internal and external partners such as other public health programs, other governmental agencies, health care systems, and academic institutions.

11.  Oversees and directs data interpretation for reports, abstracts, and publications.  Oversees dissemination of epidemiological findings to a variety of audiences.  Prioritizes and directs response to data requests from department leadership or external agencies.

12.  Oversees development and implementation of public surveillance systems, IT systems and technologies to support disease surveillance, case management, program workflow, program evaluation, and/or billing.  Coordinates epidemiological operations and activities for surveillance systems or studies.

13.  Leads development of research grant proposals, develops collaborations for public health research.

14.  Provides support and direction for the development or evaluation of public health policies, interventions, and regulations based on epidemiologic or research evidence.

15.  Represents the department to public agencies and other organizations or groups on matters regarding disease trends, patterns, or appropriate interventions or policies.

16.  Trains public health audiences and clients in the use and interpretation of health data.

17.  Participates in public health emergency response and provides epidemiologic input for public health emergency planning and response, as needed.

EITHER I

Experience:

The equivalent of two years of full-time experience in the class of Epidemiologist III in the Alameda County classified service.

OR II

Education:

Possession of a master's degree from an accredited college or university in epidemiology, biostatistics, social/behavioral sciences or another closely related field.

AND

Experience:

The equivalent of five years of full-time, professional-level epidemiology experience, preferably in a public health, health care delivery, or academic institution setting.  One year of which must have included direct supervision of staff in epidemiology, surveillance, or program evaluation activities.

Substitution:

Possession of a PhD or Dr.PH in epidemiology, biostatistics, social/behavioral sciences or another closely related field from an accredited college or university may be substituted for two years of the required, non-supervisory, experience in patter II.

NOTE:  The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

NOTE:  The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Example of Duties" section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Analysis of complex health datasets.
• Epidemiologic research methods.
• Preparation of scientific research proposals.
• Principles and methods of public health surveillance.
• Statistical software programming and packages.
• Relational database management methods and software for surveillance systems.
• Program evaluation methods.
• Management and supervision principles and practices.
• Clinical features and established risk factors for diseases relevant to public health.
• Principles and processes of personnel management which include leadership, supervision, coaching, performance evaluations, development and counseling.
• The Ten Essential Public Health Services.
• Disparities in health outcomes for vulnerable populations and the role and influence of socio-economic, behavioral, and environmental factors affecting health risks and status.
• Principles and practices of effective organization, management, monitoring, and quality assurance and quality improvement indicators.

Ability to:

• Oversee, direct, and evaluate epidemiology, surveillance, or evaluation staff.
• Plan, direct, and evaluate disease surveillance operation. 
• Design and implement complex data collection methods.
• Oversee analysis of epidemiologic data.
• Identify and collect valid and reliable quantitative and qualitative data and information.
• Facilitate and model effective written and oral communication with attention to linguistic preferences and cultural proficiency.
• Exercise sound independent judgment within established procedural guidelines.
• Exercise interpersonal sensitivity and group interaction skills to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Manage projects and resources to ensure deliverables for grants, cooperative agreements and/or other funding streams.
• Prepare clear, accurate, and effective reports, correspondences, policies, informational brochures and other written materials.
• Understand and incorporate the Agency and Department's core values and ethical standards of practice into all interactions with individuals, organizations and communities.

New Spec: 5778

LC:ac  04/24/19

CSC Date: 06/05/19

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.