JC-464583 – Chief, Syndromic Surveillance Section

Overview

This Syndromic Surveillance (SyS) Section Chief position within the Center for Infectious Diseases (CID), Office of Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response (OIDPR), supports the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) mission and strategic plan by overseeing and managing the implementation, utilization, maintenance, and operation of the California statewide syndromic surveillance program. The statewide syndromic surveillance program facilitates timely and broad monitoring of population health, ultimately leading to more rapid and targeted disease control and prevention strategies as well as increased situational awareness for public health response.

Candidates in one of these classifications, where a Master’s Degree is required to meet the minimum qualifications, shall receive an educational pay differential equivalent to 2% of their monthly base pay. Those where a Doctoral Degree is a required to meet the minimum qualifications, shall receive an educational pay differential equivalent to 3% of their monthly base pay. Individuals with both a Master’s and Doctoral Degree will be given the best benefit in relation to salary shall only be eligible for only one amount.

This position supports the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) mission and strategic plan by overseeing and managing the implementation, utilization, maintenance, operation, and evaluation of the California Statewide Syndromic Surveillance (CalSyS) program. The CalSyS program facilitates timely and broad monitoring of population health, ultimately leading to more rapid and targeted disease control and prevention strategies as well as increased situational awareness for public health response.

The RSS II Syndromic Surveillance (SyS) Section Chief directs and manages all aspects of the CalSyS program, including providing oversight for and directly supervising the leadership of the SyS Section and its three units: the Program, Onboarding, & Policy (POP) Unit, the Data Quality & Integration (DQI) Unit, and the Epidemiology, Analytics, & Reporting (Epi) Unit. In this role, the RSS II oversees the complex CalSyS program and team responsible for research and analytics, policy and communications, epidemiology and reporting, program evaluation, communities of practice across CDPH programs and local health jurisdictions, a variety of data and marketing products, the development of new and complex data management processes, and the assurance of complete SyS reporting from all eligible California facilities (e.g., hospital emergency departments). The incumbent is responsible for the scientific, research, and statewide collaborative vision of the CalSyS program, supports the development of public health policy, and serves as a spokesperson regarding scientific or data-related issues concerning syndromic surveillance in California. The RSS II will also be responsible for ensuring the scientific quality of reporting requirements and is responsible for overseeing data security and confidentiality issues for the SyS Section and surveillance activities.

The candidate works under the broad administrative direction of the Public Health Medical Administrator I (PHMA I), Infectious Disease Monitoring & Early Detection (IDMED) Branch Chief. 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 RSS II establishes a positive workplace environment that emphasizes learning and continuous improvement, embraces actionable data, and seeks innovative solutions. As a program leader, the RSS II promotes employee engagement and a collaborative work environment, and translates the Department’s mission, vision, and values into terms relevant to work performed. The incumbent works under the broad administrative direction of the Public Health Medical Administrator I (PHMA I), Infectious Disease Monitoring & Early Detection (IDMED) Branch Chief.

THERE IS ONE VACANCY BEING ADVERTISED ACROSS MULTIPLE COUNTIES. THE CANDIDATE WILL BE HEADQUARTERED IN THE COUNTY NEAREST THE RESIDENCE OF THE SELECTED CANDIDATE. THE COUNTIES ARE: * Sacramento or Contra Costa County *

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

RESEARCH SCIENTIST SUPERVISOR II (EPIDEMIOLOGY/BIOSTATISTICS)
Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
Resume is required and must be included.
Other – Please see Supplemental Questionnaire instructions below at end of posting.  Any applications received that do not provide a written response to the SQ may be rejected.
Other – A Cover Letter is required and must be submitted with your application package.  The Cover Letter (CL) should address why you are interested in and feel well suited for this specific position.
Supplemental Questionnaire (SQ) Instructions:

The Supplemental Questionnaire (SQ) should be 1 – 2 pages and 12-point Arial font with your Name and Job Control number noted at the top. Answers should be numbered, reference the Desirable Qualifications, and explain in sufficient detail your demonstrated experience, knowledge, and skills related to each question. Resumes and cover letters will not take the place of the SQ.

Describe your experience, knowledge, and skills:

Directing and overseeing complex public health programs including strategic planning, program development, and management of large staffing teams.
In overseeing and troubleshooting surveillance program implementation, including experience with syndromic surveillance, if applicable.
Overseeing and directing program budgets, ensuring fiscal solvency, and addressing legal and policy inquiries.
Note: the SQ and CL will be reviewed as writing samples

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included.

https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=464583

At the California Department of Public Health (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.