Epidemiologist 2 (Behavioral Health/Opioid Overdose Reduction Program)

This term-limited, abatement grant-funded position is responsible for conducting professional epidemiological assessments of considerable complexity. Using advanced analytical skills, the position manages data and leads epidemiological investigations and studies of opioid use and misuse, including its impact on overall population health. The role conducts public health surveillance, community health assessments and planning, and program evaluation to support the goals of the Opioid System of Care Process Program and the Abatement Grant. 

The position provides subject matter expertise to department leadership, medical professionals, environmental regulatory personnel, and other officials. It supervises and offers scientific guidance to epidemiologists, research analysts, and other opioid-related data team members. This position reports to the Chief Epidemiologist in the Division of Epidemiology and collaborates regularly with the Population Health Bureau’s Opioid Overdose Reduction Program team and bureau leadership.

• Supervisory Leadership and Performance Management Supervises and coaches opioid abatement grant–funded direct reports. Responsibilities include establishing clear expectations; assigning and monitoring work; reviewing analytical outputs for accuracy and alignment with grant objectives; providing timely coaching and performance evaluations; and ensuring adherence to data standards, analytical protocols, privacy requirements, and reporting timelines. Leads team planning, resolves workload and prioritization challenges, and guides staff in interpreting abatement grant data, evaluation processes, and reporting requirements. Independently identifies operational needs, designs or improves data systems, processes and protocols, and directs staff in implementing those operational and system improvements.

• Data System Oversight and Management: Oversees the development, maintenance, and performance of the abatement grant–funded program’s central data system(s). Ensures comprehensive and timely data collection, analysis, and interpretation processes. Manages internal and external data interfaces, including data imports from community partners, and ensures data integrity, completeness, and compliance with privacy and security standards. Ensures evaluation activities meet grant requirements and support program goals.

• Special Project Leadership: Leads data-related components of special projects, such as bed management data systems, opioid education curriculum development, and other grant-driven initiatives. Collaborates with subject matter experts, program staff, and external partners. Ensures deliverables meet quality standards and grant timelines. Aligns project outcomes with opioid abatement grant expectations.

• Reporting and Compliance: Prepares and submits all required grantor, department, bureau, and stakeholder reports. Ensures accuracy, completeness, and compliance with established deadlines. Reporting

responsibilities may include the Opioid Abatement Council semi-annual report, Performance Outcomes Workbook, annual program reports, weekly status reports, and other grant-related documents.

• Other Duties as Assigned: Performs other duties as assigned by departmental leadership, including engaging in ongoing professional development, supporting staff training and workforce activities, providing leadership to ensure team performance and alignment with departmental objectives, and duties that support department mission and objectives.

Doctorate degree in epidemiology, public health, biostatistics, statistics, health informatics, or a social or environmental science and 2 years of experience in conducting epidemiological studies, surveillance, or community assessment and planning;

OR

Master’s degree in epidemiology, public health, biostatistics, statistics, health informatics, and 3 years of experience in conducting epidemiological studies, surveillance, or community assessment and planning.

· Doctorate degree in epidemiology and 3 years applied epidemiology/biostatistics experience.

· Two (2) years in a public administration/supervisory capacity. At least 2 years supervising, mentoring or coaching epidemiologists, analysts and other public health data staff.

· At least two (2) years working continuously in SAS/R-based data analytic projects. Familiarity with other programming languages, like Python and SQL, and SAS/R training certification are a plus.

· Ability to utilize Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and other data visualization and statistical packages and computer systems such as Tableau (including dashboards), SQL Server, and ArcGIS.

· Experience working with complex datasets, qualitative data, and applying advanced analytical or statistical methods such as multi-level modeling, predictive modeling, spatial analysis, and survival analysis.

· Experience developing, maintaining, or improving public health data systems, dashboards, or surveillance platforms.

· Demonstrable skill in data mining, data cleaning, quality assessment, data analysis and data visualization based on multiple electronic datasets, including but not limited to surveys, drug overdose and mental health surveillance data, population census information, and program/service delivery data.

· Experience conducting program evaluation, performance measurement, or quality improvement in a public health or healthcare setting. Demonstrable knowledge and experience in monitoring and evaluating crisis/emergency response models for emotional and behavioral health a plus.

· Experience managing grant-funded public health projects, preferably opioid-related or substance-use–related initiatives.

· Experience interpreting and applying grant requirements, regulatory guidelines, or reporting standards. Experience preparing and presenting reports to leadership, governing bodies, or grantors.

· Strong communication skills needed to disseminate and communicate data and technical information to various technical and non-technical stakeholders. Experience working with community partners, government agencies, or cross-sector coalitions on data-sharing or collaborative public health efforts a plus.

· Ability to collaborate with other epidemiology staff on department-wide data-driven initiatives.