Human Resource Services
Alameda Skyline

Epidemiologist II

Recruitment #17-5785-01

Introduction

THIS IS A NEW ASSEMBLED EXAMINATION. The eligible list resulting from this examination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year, but can be extended.

Applications must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing. Applications will only be accepted on-line.

Supplemental Questionnaire: A properly completed Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted with each application. Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing. Failure to submit the Application or Supplemental Questionnaire will result in disqualification.

DESCRIPTION

HEALTH CARE SERVICES AGENCY
Alameda County's Health Services Program is administered by the Health Care Services Agency and includes the following program areas: Behavioral Health Care, Public Health, Environmental Health, and Agency Administration/Indigent Health. The ultimate mission of the Health Care Services Agency is to provide fully integrated health care services through a comprehensive network of public and private partnerships that ensure optimal health and well-being and respect the diversity of all residents. Health Care Services Agency currently has multiple career opportunities for experienced licensed professionals to become part of a service delivery team dedicated to the optimal health and well-being of Alameda County residents.

PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT (PHD)  
Alameda County Public Health Department has worked for over 80 years to improve the health and safety of its residents and the neighborhoods they live in. Traditional public health concerns such as disease epidemics and outbreaks, environmental health, health education and access to care and support have been joined by contemporary concerns: poverty, crime, violence, bioterrorism and natural disasters. Each of these poses a threat to public health and wellness and calls for short and long-term solutions that lie well outside traditional public health boundaries.  For more information about our Alameda County Public Health Department, please visit the Alameda County Public Health Department Website and latest Annual Budget document found on www.acgov.org

THE POSITION
Epidemiologist IIs plan, conduct and evaluate epidemiological studies to determine patterns of disease in a community, design data collection tools, conduct data analysis, assist in management of disease surveillance systems, conduct epidemiological investigations, and perform related work as required.

THE VACANCY
There is currently one vacancy in the HIV Epidemiology and Surveillance (HES) Unit of the Public Health Department. However, the eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies in other program areas.

HIV EPIDEMIOLOGY AND SURVEILLANCE (HES) UNIT
The HIV Epidemiology and Surveillance (HES) Unit is located in the Division of Communicable Disease Control & Prevention. The HES Unit is responsible for activities related to HIV surveillance and reporting as well as data analysis—core functions that inform HIV services in Alameda County. The unit consists of four surveillance field staff (Public Health Investigators), a Surveillance Clerk, and two Epidemiologists, who are supervised by a senior epidemiologist, the Unit Director.

IDEAL CANDIDATE
In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications below, the ideal candidate will be an epidemiologist well verse in principles and practices of public health, including but not limited to; disease surveillance, epidemiologic methods and data analysis; will possess a keen attention to detail, and commitment to achieving goals and obtaining results. Additionally, the ideal candidate will have demonstrated a track record of success in:

  • Manipulating, analyzing, and synthesizing data for reports, presentations and publications.
  • Assimilating and applying new job-related information in a timely manner.
  • Integrating information from a variety of sources; detecting trends, associations, and cause-effect relationships.
  • Delivering presentations suited to the characteristics and needs of the audience.
  • Gathering and interpreting pertinent data from a variety of sources and identifying trends available through regular channels and alternative sources.
  • Leveraging resources – taking advantage of available resources to complete work efficiently, while prioritizing more critical and less critical activities and assignments and adjusting priorities as appropriate.
  • Using formal, informal and systematic methods to impart information to others that increases organizational effectiveness.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EITHER I

Experience:

The equivalent of one-year full-time experience as an Epidemiologist I in the Alameda County classified service. (Non-classified includes District Attorney’s Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts.)

OR II

Education:

Possession of a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in epidemiology, bio-statistics or related field

AND

Experience:

The equivalent of three years full-time, professional-level experience planning, developing and conducting epidemiological or similar research studies, preferably in a public health setting.

Substitution:

Possession of a Ph.D. in epidemiology, bio-statistics or related field from an accredited college or university may be substituted for the two years professional experience.

License: Specified positions may require possession of a valid California driver's license.

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

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

The most suitably qualified candidates will possess the following competencies:

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of epidemiological research.
• Principles and practices of statistical analysis.
• Strategies of health risk analysis and health maintenance techniques.
• Computer applications related to the work, including database development and modification, and report generation techniques.
• Funding sources and grant application and contracting practices.
• Standard office practices and procedures, including the operation of standard office equipment.

Ability to:

• Plan, conduct and evaluate varied epidemiological research studies.
• Monitor projects and studies, and ensure adherence, regulatory and financial constraints.
• Develop intervention strategies and work closely with health care organizations in implementing such strategies.
• Plan, direct, review and evaluate the work of staff on a day to day or project basis.
• Train staff in work procedures.
• Prepare accurate statistical and narrative reports, computer documentation and other written materials.
• Represent the department and the County in meetings with other agencies.
• Interpret and apply applicable policies, codes and regulations.
• Maintain accurate records and files.
• Exercise sound independent judgment within established procedural guidelines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
• Operates a variety of standard office equipment.

EXAMINATION COMPONENTS

The examination will consist of the following steps: 1) A review of candidates' applications to verify possession of minimum requirements. Those candidates who possess the minimum requirements for the class will move on to the next step in the examination process. 2) A review of candidates’ Supplemental Questionnaires to select the best qualified applicants to continue in the process. 3) An oral interview which will be weighted as 100% of the candidate's final examination score. The oral interview may contain situational exercises. CANDIDATES MUST ATTAIN A QUALIFYING RATING ON EACH PORTION OF THIS EXAMINATION. We reserve the right to make changes to the announced examination components.

Alameda County utilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit. Such a system is competitive and based on broad recruitment efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to test in an examination process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position. Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the needs of a current vacant position, in which case, the eligible list may be exclusively used for that current vacant position. Other recruitments may be more broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate jobs with comparable scopes of work.

To learn more about our recruitment and selection process, please visit the “What You Need to Know” section of our website, www.acgov.org/hrs.   

Selection Plan

Applicants will be informed via email with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance. The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the Agency.

TENTATIVE SELECTION PLAN:

Deadline for Filing:                                               5:00pm, Tuesday, September 19, 2017
Minimum Qualification Review:                                            Friday, October 6, 2017
Review of SQ for Best Qualified:                                   Thursday, October 19, 2017
Panel Interviews*:                                                         Monday, November 13, 2017


*The combined oral examination/hiring interview, in addition to establishing an eligibility list, may serve as the final selection interview for vacancies in this classification.

Alameda County and the Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination and/or selection process to accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Alameda County’s Reasonable Accommodation Policy and applicable statutes. To request an accommodation due to a disability/medical condition during this or other phases of the examination/selection process, please contact the assigned Human Resources Representative listed on the job announcement before the last date of filing. Alameda County requires applicants to provide supporting documentation to substantiate a request for reasonable accommodation. In order to qualify for a reasonable accommodation, applicants must have a disability/medical condition pursuant to the ADA, FEHA and applicable statutes.

For more information regarding our Reasonable Accommodation procedures, please visit our website, www.acgov.org/hrs.  

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 & Welfare Benefits

  • Medical – HMO & PPO Insurance
  • Dental – PPO & DHMO Insurance  
  • Vision
  • Basic Life Insurance 
  • Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage) 
  • County Allowance (Employer Credit)
  • Health Flexible Spending Account
  • Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
  • Accident, Critical Illness & Hospital Indemnity
  • Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

  • Short-term Disability Insurance
  • Long-Term Disability Insurance
  • Retirement Plan – (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
  • Deferred Compensation Plan

For your Work/Life Balance

  • 11 paid holidays
  • Vacation and sick leave accrual
  • Vacation purchase program
  • Management Paid Leave**
  • Group Auto/Home Insurance
  • Commuter Benefits Program
  • Group Legal
  • 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
  • 1st 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.

Conclusion

All notices related to County recruitments for which you have applied will be sent/delivered via email. Please add @acgov.org and alamedacountyHR@acgov.org as accepted addresses to any email blocking or spam filtering program you may use. If you do not do this, your email blocking or spam filtering program may block receipt of the notices regarding your application for recruitments. You are also strongly advised to regularly log into your County of Alameda online application account to check for notices that may have been sent to you. All email notices that will be sent to you will also be kept in your personal online application account. You will be able to view all of your notices in your online application account by clicking on the "My applications" button on the Current Job Openings page.  

Please take the steps recommended above to insure you do not miss any notices about a recruitment for which you have applied. The County of Alameda is not responsible for notices that are not read, received or accessed by any applicant for a County recruitment.

NOTE: All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email box alamedacountyHR@acgov.org are routed to an unmonitored mailbox. All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email box are routed to an unmonitored mailbox. If you have questions please go to our website at www.acgov.org/hrs. You may also contact the Human Resources Analyst listed on the job announcement for the recruitment for which you have applied.

Lindsay Christopher, Human Resources Analyst

Human Resource Services,

County of Alameda

510-272-6393

Lindsay.christopher@acgov.org

Alameda County is an Equal Opportunity Employer