Epidemiology Director

Description

Pay Grade: O

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Who We Are. We protect lives. The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is the lead agency entrusted by the people of Georgia to protect lives and promote healthy lifestyles in communities throughout the state. We are committed to preventing disease, injury, and disability; promoting health and well-being; and preparing for and responding to disasters.

What We Offer. As a member of the DPH team, you will join a group of passionate individuals dedicated to serving Georgians. Regardless of your role, you will contribute to protecting lives while enjoying a wide range of benefits.

• Make a Professional Impact – Build your career where it matters and protect lives in the community where you live, work, and play.
• Enjoy Workplace Flexibility – Experience flexibility in how you work so you can be your best self for you and the people of Georgia.
• Work with a Dynamic and Diverse Team – Collaborate with employees who share ideas and leverage collective strengths.
• Achieve Career Longevity – Take advantage of opportunities for learning and development that support a long-term career.
• Take Part in a Hands-on Working Culture – Work in a unique culture of active engagement and problem-solving, no matter your role.
• Feel Pride in Where you Work – Be part of making an impact in public health alongside dedicated people just like yourself.

Job Responsibilities

This position is in Macon, Georgia and does not offer relocation assistance. Must be within a reasonable commuting distance. If relocating to the area, please specify on the application.

North Central Health District (NCHD) seeks an experienced epidemiologist to lead the district epidemiology team. The Epidemiology Director supervises other professional and/or support staff. The epidemiology team conducts epidemiologic investigations, surveillance, and implements methods of disease control throughout the 13 counties comprising NCHD. The Epidemiology Director is responsible for overseeing the collection, analysis, and interpretation of statistical data and preparation of epidemiologic reports. Under the direction of the District Health Director and District Program Manager, the Epidemiology Director is responsible for community assessment, programmatic performance management, quality improvement, and research initiatives.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leads the District Epidemiology Team and serves as Epidemiology subject matter expert:

• Leads the District Epidemiology team by example with dedication, integrity, and a commitment to developing each member of the team to their highest potential.
• Represents NCHD at local, state, and federal epidemiology meetings and conferences.
• Serves as point of contact for NCHD leadership and partners regarding moderately complex epidemiological issues.
• Develops and maintains key partnerships to include health care facilities, county health departments, long-term care facilities, school systems, local military base, etc.
• Ensures that the district meets DPH Epidemiology performance measures and reporting requirements.
• Submits quarterly activity reports to District Health Director, District Program Manager, and DPH District Epidemiology Liaison.

Personnel Management:

• In coordination with District Program Manager and NCHD Human Resources, manages staff recruitment, selection, orientation, ongoing training, and disciplinary actions.
• Supervises, guides, and/or instructs the work assignments of subordinate staff.
• Creates, manages, and maintains staffing schedules to ensure adequate coverage during hours of operation and on-call schedules for all other times.
• Provides guidance to Epidemiology interns and/or fellows.

Budget/Financial/Operational Management:

• Participates in the development of Epidemiology budgets.
• Monitors Epidemiology budgets on a monthly basis.
• Updates/develops/manages Epidemiology internal procedures.

Ensures disease surveillance, investigation, and control deliverables are met:

• Oversees the design, implementation, and maintenance of disease surveillance systems.
• Develops policies and procedures for new and existing disease control programs.
• Conducts regular analysis and interpretation of surveillance data and disseminates the information for administrative, program planning and decision-making purposes.
• Ensures epidemiology staff conduct outbreak investigations, as required.
• Recommends interventions and control measures in response to epidemiologic findings.
• Monitors syndromic surveillance notifications and investigates them as appropriate.
• Assists other districts and/or DPH as needed during multi-county, statewide, or multi-state outbreaks.
• Responds to data requests submitted via the district website.

Training/Communications:

• Provides training, technical assistance, and consultative services regarding epidemiology and control of diseases.
• Provides training, mentoring, and consultation to departmental staff, district programs, external partners and others.
• Leads monthly Epidemiology Partner update meetings.
• In coordination with NCHD leadership and Public Information Officer, serves as primary spokesperson related to epidemiologic investigations.
• Maintains the Epidemiology page on the NCHD public internet page
• Maintains the Epidemiology Intranet page for NCHD staff.
• Develops presentations and publications.

Other duties including Assessment, Quality Improvement, Research Initiatives

• Provides guidance and data for community health assessments.
• May be assigned to head up the District Quality Improvement initiatives.
• Serves as the point of contact for any research initiatives proposed by internal or external partners.

Emergency Preparedness

• Serves as a member of the District Health Emergency Assistance and Resource Team (DHEART).
• During emergency response, serves in the Operations Section and may serve as Operations Section Chief, depending on the nature of the response. Ensures epidemiology coverage throughout the response.
• Tracks Public Health Responder Health and Safety issues during emergencies using state or local methodologies.
• Works cooperatively with Emergency Preparedness staff to develop and present trainings and exercises for staff and community partners.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and six (6) years of experience performing epidemiologic work or work in a closely related field; or one (1) year of experience at the lower-level Epidemiologist 3 (HCP182) or position equivalent.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• MPH, PhD, or DrPH with concentration in Epidemiology
• A minimum of two years of experience in supervising staff

Additional Information

State of Georgia employees are subject to the rules of the State Personnel Board regarding salary.

DPH accepts educational credentials recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and/or the US Department of Education (DOE) as valid. DPH will contact educational institutions to verify degrees, diplomas, licensures, and other relevant credentials.

The candidate selected for this position may be subject to pre-employment drug screening and a criminal background check.

Relocation assistance is not provided.

In the event of an identified emergency, you may be required, as a term and condition of DPH employment, to assist in meeting the emergency responsibilities of the department.

ADA Statement

DPH is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for the application or interview process, email [email protected].

DPH is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information on application status by phone or e-mail. All qualified applicants will be considered, but may not receive an interview. DPH will contact selected applicants to proceed with the application process. Applicants who are not selected will not receive notification.

This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified.

BENEFITS

Part-time employees are eligible to participate in the Georgia Defined Contribution Plan and receive paid parental leave.