County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under the general direction of the Division of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention (DCDCP) Director, to conceive, plan, organize, and direct complex scientific research and program evaluation on all communicable disease and division relevant programs and services; to lead communicable disease epidemiology science and integration for the Public Health Department; to oversee and provide direction and technical expertise for long range communicable disease epidemiology program goals, objectives, projects, and research priorities; and to perform related work as required.

 

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This is a single-position classification located in the Division of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention (DCDCP) of the Public Health Department. The incumbent works independently, designs, analyzes, and interprets scientific research related to communicable disease control and prevention for use in policy development, and designs evaluation studies to support the mission of the Public Health Department to ensure the optimal health and well-being of Alameda County residents. Additionally, the incumbent may supervise or oversee the work of professional, technical and support staff on a project or day-to-day basis.

Incumbents are expected to exercise independent judgment in devising study methodology and research instruments, in obtaining funding sources and in coordinating activities with those of other county departments, academic institutions, and other partner health care agencies.

The class of Epidemiology Research Scientist is distinguished from the higher level class of Deputy Division Director, Public Health, in that the latter is responsible for assisting in the development and implementation of program goals, objectives, policies and procedures for a division of the Public Health Department, whereas the primary focus of the former pertains to scientific research related to communicable disease control and prevention.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

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. Provides scientific leadership, consultation, and direction for applied public health research relevant to communicable disease epidemiology.

2. Serves as a scientific expert consultant to division and other departmental staff regarding epidemiologic study design, statistical analysis, evaluation, or other methodologies regarding communicable disease epidemiology.

3. Assesses population interventions and analyzes the impact of planned intervention on the health status of target populations.

4. Leads development and implementation of DCDCP scientific research proposals, studies, and investigations; writes research grants and grants relevant to the DCDCP vision and mission; oversees the preparation of project proposals, reports and scientific papers based on original research, investigation, or evaluation.

5. Develops and initiates collaborations and research with clinical, research, scientific, and public health partners to conduct scientific investigations and studies.

6. Provides scientific leadership, consultation and research with clinical, research, scientific, and public health partners to conduct scientific investigations and studies.

7. Acts as a subject-matter and technical expert and serves as the highest level epidemiologic expert for the department to provide evidence-based support and direction for the legal, legislative, and regulatory actions that occur in public health policy development relevant to communicable disease control and prevention.

8. Participates in infectious disease emergency responses and provides leadership in technical, supervisory, and managerial roles for public health emergency epidemiologic planning and response.

9. Conceives, plans, and oversees epidemiologic investigations of a large scope on a countywide (or broader) basis of extreme difficulty and complexity in unexplored areas of public health.

10. Oversees and coordinates DCDCP efforts in data science and knowledge integration, including epidemiology, surveillance, research, and database integration.

11. Oversees, develops, directs, and coordinates surveillance systems to identify and monitor health-related outcome trends relevant to communicable diseases among various populations; guides analysis and interpretation of results.

12. Oversees the design and consistent implementation of instruments and procedures utilized for the collection and analysis of communicable disease data.

13. Represents DCDCP to other Divisions or Departments within the Health Care Services Agency, public and private agencies and groups regarding issues related to communicable disease trends, patterns, characteristics, risk factors and prevention.

14. Provides scientific presentations at local, regional, state and national public health conferences and the community on scientific research conducted, and publishes this research in peer-reviewed journals.

15. May supervise or oversee the work of an assigned staff of epidemiologists and support staff.

16. Recruits, hires, trains, oversees, and evaluates subordinate epidemiology staff and various fellows and interns engaged in surveillance and research activities, which include research design, IRB review, data collection, data analysis and preparation of reports, presentations and papers.

17. Oversees communicable disease epidemiologist professional and epidemiologic skill development.

18. Collaborates with other epidemiologists in the agency or other partner agencies or organizations.

19. Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Possession of a PhD or DrPH in Epidemiology, Biostatistics or another closely related field in Public Health.

And

Experience:

Three years of relevant, full-time, post-graduate experience performing epidemiological data collection, analysis and research for a public health, health care delivery, or academic institution.

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

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

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

Knowledge of:

• The latest trends and activities in the field of Epidemiology
• Advanced epidemiological analysis methods, research design and research implementation; innovative statistical analysis methods and interpretation
• The preparation of scientific research reports
• Modern statistical and database management software applications
• Principles of lead supervision and project management
• Infectious diseases
• Principles and methods of survey design
• Supervisory principles
• Public health laws governing communicable disease surveillance and control
• Environmental, social, economic, political, cultural and other issues impacting epidemiology

Ability to:

• Plan, design, conduct and evaluate varied epidemiological research studies and draw valid conclusions
• Prepare and write a variety of documents, such as research project & grant proposals, accurate statistical and narrative reports, and technical and scientific papers
• Collect and analyze complex statistical data
• Draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations
• Present and explain epidemiologic data to a variety of audiences
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Interpret and apply applicable policies, codes and regulations
• Oversee, direct and evaluate the work of staff
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with co-workers, other agencies and community organizations

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

Newspecs: 5782
LC:jf
CSC Date: 3/1/17

BENEFITS

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.