Overview
About this Role
Job Summary
This position supports the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) mission and strategic plan by supporting the implementation, utilization, maintenance, and operation of the statewide California Syndromic Surveillance (CalSyS) program. This program facilitates timely and broad monitoring of population health, ultimately leading to more rapid and targeted disease/illness/injury control and data-driven prevention strategies, as well as increased situational awareness for public health response.
The Research Scientist Staff (RS Staff) serves as a senior-level, public health epidemiologist and subject matter expert specializing in data systems and the application of data to inform public health efforts. The RS Staff is responsible for leading and planning analyses of syndromic surveillance data using current methods and best practices in both epidemiology and biostatistics. Additionally, they provide expert guidance on federal, state, and local initiatives that improve the availability, accessibility, and usability of public health Syndromic Surveillance (SyS) data.
The RS Staff serves as a subject matter expert on data platforms for Office of Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response (OIDPR), the SyS Section, independently managing a variety of highly complex tasks to support CDPH epidemiologic surveillance activities. They collaborate with experts at local, state, and federal levels to oversee the collection, integration, analysis, dissemination, and use of SyS data. The incumbent is an advisor on epidemiologic training and education for stakeholders and CDPH partners. Additionally, the RS Staff ensures data privacy while applying scientific methods of study during investigation, analysis, and interpretation phases, while achieving maximum value of surveillance data and information for public health.
In the case of a public health emergency, this position may be asked to redirect to serve rotations in emergency staffing roles aligned with their classification level.
The incumbent works under the general direction of the Research Scientist Supervisor I, Chief of the Epidemiology, Analytics, and Reporting (Epi) Unit within the Syndromic Surveillance (SyS) Section.
Key Responsibilities
35% Serves as a senior-level SyS system subject matter expert in the SyS Section. Leads epidemiological support for surveillance efforts and offers in-depth technical assistance, subject matter expertise, and strategic leadership on various complex topics. Key areas include applications of statewide SyS data in epidemiologic investigations, informatics, data curation methodologies, tools and practices, epidemiologic concepts, tools and design methodologies, and public health surveillance system interoperability. Consults with local, state, federal, and internal CDPH programs to address programmatic needs related to interoperability, health information standards (e.g., HL7), and the implementation process supporting SyS systems. Independently performs complex statistical analyses across multiple data sources and subgroups, including geographic units, time-period, income group, race/ethnicity, health equity indicators, and other population characteristics. Demonstrates expertise in applying syndromic surveillance to various public health disciplines, including, infectious diseases, environmental health, substance use and addiction prevention, and other disease, illness, and/or injuries of public health relevance. Regularly uses statistical software (e.g., SAS, R, Python), cloud-based computing platforms, geographical information systems, relational databases, and spreadsheets to independently create scientific reports and dashboards for broad dissemination. Develops and implements methods to facilitate use of SyS and other relevant data for public health action. Works closely with the SyS team to ensure that all program-related activities promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.
25% Collaborates with members of the SyS Section to develop data curation activities for existing surveillance data sources, vital records data, and CDPH program data. Provides expert consultation to program and information technology staff in CDPH and other agencies on data virtualization and cross-analysis, focusing on health equity, emergency response, disease/illness/injury prevention, and other emerging Departmental goals, as needed. Consults with CDPH programs on surveillance efforts and provides expertise to ensure adequate support for their mission. Leads development of SyS Section work efforts focused on CalSyS Program implementation (e.g., development and review of Business Requirements Documents, contracts, Interagency Agreements, Business Use Case Proposals).
20% Participates in workgroups related to SyS system interoperability to inform infrastructure planning that enhances and maintains public health SyS systems in California. Serves on other workgroups and committees with internal and external stakeholders, and participates in local, state, and federal initiatives related to OIDPR objectives. Provides assistance representing public health in technical, policy and/or business advisory boards, local health departments, and informatics forums. Maintains relationships with stakeholders and provides excellent customer service.
10% Develops and implements scientific training materials for internal and external stakeholders to facilitate use of standardized methods of evaluating and analyzing SyS data, as well as evaluation instruments, procedures, and policies.
5% Participates in infectious disease emergency preparedness and response activities. Completes trainings in emergency preparedness, the incident command system (ICS) and other professional development activities. During an infectious disease emergency activation, may assume emergency response roles that align with the position’s classification level and skill set.
5% Engages in professional development activities and completes other duties as required/assigned.
Qualifications
All employees shall possess the general qualifications, as described in California Code of Regulations Title 2, Section 172, which include, but are not limited to integrity, honesty, dependability, thoroughness, accuracy, good judgment, initiative, resourcefulness, and the ability to work cooperatively with others.
The competencies required for this position are found on the classification specification for the classification noted above. Classification specifications are located on the California Department of Human Resource’s Job Descriptions webpage.
Special Requirements
Conflict of Interest (COI)
Background Check and/or Fingerprinting Clearance
Medical Clearance
Travel: Up to 5% may be required
Bilingual: Pass a State written and/or verbal proficiency exam in
License/Certification:
Other:
About California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
CDPH works to protect the public's health in the Golden State and helps shape positive health outcomes for individuals, families and communities. The Department's programs and services, implemented in collaboration with local health departments and state, federal and private partners, touch the lives of every Californian and visitor to the state 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Our Shared Vision
CDPH public health professionals, researchers, scientists, doctors, nurses, and other staff members have a shared vision to protect and improve the health of all Californians. We are dedicated to public service and passionate about our work and the people and communities we serve and protect.
Diversity Statement
At CDPH, equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the core of our mission to advance the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities. We are genuinely and strongly committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness where we can grow and learn together with a diverse team of employees. In recruiting for team members, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring to us and the work we do.
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