Overview

Position Summary:
The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Epidemiologist I is responsible for carrying out a range of investigative and analytical epidemiologic activities related to monitoring and evaluation of maternal and infant health. The MCH epidemiologist is one of five core team members managing the county-wide collaborative known as Stark County THRIVE (Toward Health Resiliency for Infant Vitality and Equity). Its mission is to provide trusted information and connections to help empower the community to align equitable strategies to improve infant vitality. This person supports the planning and implementation of the THRIVE infant vitality community collaborative strategic plan and various grant deliverables. Stark County is one of nine Ohio communities comprising the Ohio Equity Initiative, overseen by the Ohio Department of Children and Youth.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

  • Collects, analyzes, and interprets health data from various sources, such as birth and death certificates, Medicaid data, the Data Ohio Platform, and the Birth Defects Surveillance system. Describes populations by race, ethnicity, culture, societal, educational and professional backgrounds, age, gender, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.
  • Researches, determines and utilizes appropriate epidemiological and statistical methods to evaluate and interpret programs, with a special focus on maternal and child health programs and related outcome data. Uses knowledge of specific sociocultural factors in the population to interpret findings. Recommends public health actions that are relevant to affected communities.
  • Provides primary epidemiologic support for the THRIVE project which includes the Fetal Infant Mortality Review Team, Community Resource Connector, and grantees.
  • Ensures confidentiality of protected health information and maintains confidentiality of all data throughout its lifecycle. Follows rules of data integrity to ensure usable data is accurate, complete, consistent and reliable.
  • Coordinates, implements, evaluates, and/or suggests improvements to existing surveillance systems to ensure inclusion of groups subject to health disparities are captured.
  • Maintains and updates data briefs, reports, and manages the THRIVE Clear Impact Scorecard, ensuring visible program performance and that health data is accessible, accurate, and current.
  • Disseminates data to health professionals, the general public, and the media in an appropriate and understandable format including but not limited to presentations and technical reports or publication.
  • Participates in writing grants and other funding proposals.
  • Participates in internal and external committees and workgroups related to areas of expertise.
  • May provide administrative leadership and technical guidance to lower-level professional, technical, and administrative support staff, as assigned.
  • Engages with other public health entities and cross-sector partners to implement and evaluate programs to promote health, develop data-driven policies, and provide the foundations for meaningful collaborations with communities.
  • Uses statistical software to analyze and manage data for monitoring maternal and child health issues in Stark County.
  • Conducts studies designed to identify segments of the population at greatest risk of poor birth outcomes and identifies social determinants of health impacting those populations.
  • May serve as project lead in organizing epidemiologic programs, data needs assessments, and activities
  • Participates in the design of surveys and questionnaires to collect data on maternal and child health issues with a focus on reducing the disparity in birth outcomes between African American/Black and White infants and social determinants of health.
  • Completes data analysis and data visualization using Excel and Tableau for use by THRIVE program leadership for internal and external requirements.
  • Provides support functions in response to public health emergencies as directed by the Health Commissioner.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

Minimum Qualifications and Credentials:
The following must be acquired and maintained prior to initial hire.

  • Master’s degree in public health, epidemiology or biostatistics or another data science.
  • Skills should include experience with:
    • Analyzing population health data by race and gender to identify
      • Significant differences/inequities in health status
      • Systemic barriers
      • Underlying social and structural factors contributing to health disparities
      • Interventions that address the specific needs of different population
    • Software including REDCap, Microsoft Office Suite, and Google
    • Developing visual products in Tableau platform, not required but preferred
    • Performance management software, not required but preferred
    • Valid driver’s license

The following must be acquired and maintained. These credentials are not required upon initial hire but must be acquired after hiring and within 3 months. Training will be provided for all of these credentials.

  • Certification in National Incident Management System (NIMS) Incident Command Systems (ICS) levels 100 and 700.

Work Environment:
This position works primarily in a climate-controlled office. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for long periods of time. Requires a minimum of quarterly meetings with department personnel, stakeholders and members of the community. Meetings will often occur outside of the department throughout the city and county. Requires occasional travel outside of the area and overnight for training, meetings and conferences. City vehicle can be provided for work activities/work travel with supervisor approval. This position may require infrequent adjustments to a typical work schedule to accommodate the needs of the community (nights and weekends).

Reasonable accommodation in accordance with ADA Compliance will be made available to those who need it to achieve the above descriptions.

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