Position Summary and Job Duties

Public Health Epidemiologists assess, monitor, and analyze data related to health behaviors and health outcomes and ensure that relevant data is available to inform decision-making within the department. This project position will focus specifically on supporting the Immunization Team through an assessment of vaccination coverage rates within the jurisdiction and subsequent data analysis to identify opportunities to increase coverage. This position is part-time 24 hours per week with some flexibility.
40% - Assess and monitor population health status, factors that influence health, and community needs and assets.

• Review and leverage surveillance system data to; assess the frequency and distribution of vaccine preventable diseases, immunization statuses for ACIP recommended vaccinations, and social/environmental factors that may influence them.
• Identify secondary data sets that contribute to local immunization rate assessments, including but not limited to data available through the County Health Rankings and the Wisconsin Interactive Statistics on Health Query System; review statewide health and environmental assessments.
• Evaluate local vaccine preventable health outcomes and immunization status by race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, ability, and other historically marginalized groups.
• Assess the geographic distribution of vaccine preventable health outcomes and immunization status and related resources/services, in partnership with department staff.

• Utilize epidemiologic methods, tools, and software to explore contributing causes of vaccine preventable disease and lower immunization coverage.
• Provide technical assistance and/or data analysis/reporting assistance to community partners with regard to utilizing data to investigate, diagnose, and address root causes.

• Participates in conversations concerning the development of policies, interventions, and plans that have an impact on immunization rates in Rock County to address disparate outcomes identified.
• Collects relevant data for the analysis of policies and the completion of Health Impact Assessments.

• Apply appropriate technologies for communicating data effectively to diverse audiences, including community members and ensure that data visualization efforts are understandable to the target population.
• Communicate trends and threats to the public's health to surveillance sites, in partnership with subject matter experts within the department.
• Communicate epidemiologic information through giving oral presentations or contributing to the development of written documents to professional and nonprofessional audiences.
• Participate or provide data for communications with members of the media, social media, and other outreach events.

• Performs public health emergency response duties as assigned and consistent with job classification and training provided, in response to threats to the public's health.
• Participates in department and community-wide emergency response training and drills consistent with job classification in support of public health emergency and disaster preparedness.
• Supports the development of a future public health workforce by precepting/mentoring students and assisting with the onboarding of new staff members as appropriate.
• Engages in developmental opportunities related to their role and responsibilities, including health equity and social justice; seeks opportunities to gather and reflect on diverse perspectives; works to address personal implicit biases; and seeks developmental opportunities to work within complex systems.
• Upholds ethical standards for public health practice.
• Performs other duties as assigned, consistent with job classification.
• Maintains confidentiality of protected health information (PHI) of individuals, identifiable data elements and small data sets, including but not limited to only accessing information related to assigned work, utilizing locked filing cabinets, electronic password protection, and encryption when creating, handling and storing documents that contain PHI. This includes assuring data privacy and information security when working in a remote location.
• Participates in the development and implementation of agency and program strategic planning, performance management, and quality improvement.
• Complete required quarterly and any ongoing IT cybersecurity trainings and successfully identify (not click on or engage with) monthly cybersecurity phishing campaigns sent by IT.

Success Factors (KSA's)

Knowledge:

• Ten Essential Public Health Services Framework.
• Social Determinants of Health.
• Predictive analytics, basic programming languages & network analysis.

• Statistical analysis.
• Epidemiological methods and tools; incidence rates, prevalence rates, odds ratios, ArcGIS, Power BI, and others.
• Data Visualization.
• Tier 1-Tier 2 Applied Epidemiology competencies, established by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists.

• Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion in completing assigned duties and responsibilities
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment
• Ability to maintain accurate records and prepare clear, concise and timely reports
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to effectively communicate with staff, community partners, and the general public in a manner that is courteous, professional and supports public health objectives
• Ability to utilize appropriate communication methods for interacting effectively and professionally with persons of all ages and from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial and ethnic, sexual orientations, lifestyles and physical abilities.
• Ability to deliver targeted, culturally appropriate information to help individuals and groups understand public health data, public health promotion, disease prevention, policies, regulations, and public health codes.

Job Requirements, Education, Training & Experience

Preferred:

• Master's degree in public health. Experience in performance management, public health accreditation, quality improvement, community health improvement, planning, communicable disease follow-up, health hazard investigations and food-borne waterborne outbreaks.

• Bachelor's degree nursing, public health, epidemiology, or other health related field.
• Master's degree.
• One year epidemiology experience, in addition to the required educational degree.
• Valid driver's license, current certificate of vehicle insurance and reliable access to transportation to all assigned work locations and to attend meetings and trainings within and outside of the county.
• Completion of required National Incident Management System (NIMS)/Incident Command System (ICS) trainings within 6 months of hire.

Essential Job Functions (physical elements, equipment and working conditions)

Physical:

• Ability to bend, twist, turn, and reach frequently.
• Ability to sit, walk and stand for long periods of time.
• Ability to grasp, carry, push, pull, and lift objects up to 20 pounds at times.
• Ability to drive a vehicle.
• Access to reliable transportation to fulfill duties of the position.
• Level of vision, hearing, and fine motor skills sufficient to read, write and proficiently use office and computer equipment.

• Ability to independently and fluently use computer and office equipment (telephone, multi-function printers, computers, software systems, and mobile smart phone devices) continuously on a daily basis.
• Ability to proficiently use software programs (Microsoft Office Word, Power Point, Excel, Outlook), data bases (GIS, HHLPSS, Red Cap), project management tools (template workbooks), statistical analysis software and epidemiological methods.

• Ability to work varied hours on occasion, including evening, weekends, and overtime (board meetings, partner meetings, community events, and public health emergencies).
• Ability to work in varying office and outside conditions in relation to heat, cold, and varying weather conditions.
• Ability to travel within and outside of the county, including over-night stays, to attend trainings and conferences.
• Able to be self-directed, focused and achieve performance goals despite environmental distractions when working in remote locations.