Job Abstract

SUMMARY

Under the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) cooperative agreement, Heluna Health and the Occupational Health Branch (OHB) of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) are recruiting for an Epidemiologist to provide epidemiology expertise to inform data collection, analysis, and interpretation for prevention of COVID-19 in an occupational health context.

The OHB COVID-19 Team is building data sources for analysis of occupational exposures and illness due to COVID-19. The Epidemiologist will join the team under the general supervision of the Chief of the Hazard Evaluation Service and Information System (HESIS) and COVID-19 Team Lead. Other OHB COVID-19 Epidemiology Team members include clinicians and other staff with epidemiology/data skills at diverse levels, working together on various projects.

The Epidemiologist’s key role will be to support ongoing occupational COVID-19 dataset generation and analyses from multiple data sources including workers' compensation data and the California Health Interview Survey. Duties include coding, abstracting, gathering, linking, and analyzing data to understand work-related variables contributing to risk of infection, vaccination, and death. The Epidemiologist may also research external data sources for use to assist with defining exposures for linkage with existing CDPH data. The Epidemiologist will also collaborate with OHB colleagues on other COVID-19 projects as needed.

The Occupational Health Branch works closely with other CDPH teams including the CDPH COVID Control Branch.

The salary range for this position is $78,144 to $97,116 annually depending on experience/ qualifications.

This position is grant funded through 6/30/2026.

Applicants must submit a cover letter that addresses their interest in and suitability for this position and curriculum vitae to be considered.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Manually code morbidity and mortality data into standardized industry and occupation codes
• Gather, analyze, and interpret surveillance data on workplace variables and occupational risk factors for COVID-19 infection and disease outcomes
• Abstract and analyze vital statistics and other data, such as Doctor’s First Reports of Occupational Injury or Illness, to examine COVID-19 mortality and morbidity from an occupational health perspective
• Provide expertise and support to enhance collection of occupational information for infectious disease reporting at state and local level
• Conduct literature reviews of scientific questions pertaining to work-related COVID-19
• Coordinate and interact with other CDPH COVID-19 programs and with other state agencies through professional organizations or project specific work (e.g., National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and state agencies working with the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists)
• Present at meetings and scientific conferences, if applicable
• Perform other duties as directed by the Leadership

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience and solid understanding in the fundamentals and principles of epidemiology, biostatistics, and public health, including the application of common statistical methods
• Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with a team that works remotely
• Experience with industry and occupation coding and working with occupational datasets
• Ability to perform data entry, quality assessment, and analysis with attention to detail
• Drive to work independently to meet team milestones
• Experience in reviewing and interpreting data results, trends, and comparisons
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to translate complex results into public health messaging understood by a variety of audiences. Ability to write up results for the scientific peer-reviewed literature and to orally present results to both a scientific and a lay audience.
• Demonstrate reliability, integrity, and ability to work in rapidly changing environment
• Fluency in spoken and written English is required

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field required; Master’s degree in public health or related field, preferred
• At least one year of research experience with data analysis, required.
• Knowledge and use of R, SAS, Python, preferred.
• Knowledge of data systems, a plus
• Knowledge of occupational exposure and health, a plus.

Other Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Knowledge of and skilled in the use of Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, and Power Point, and remote technologies such as Zoom and MS Teams.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Stand: Occasionally
• Walk: Occasionally
• Sit: Frequently
• Handling / Fingering: Occasionally
• Reach Outward: Not applicable
• Reach Above Shoulder: Not applicable
• Climb, Crawl, Kneel, Bend: Not applicable
• Lift / Carry: Not applicable
• Push/Pull: Not applicable
• See (Vision): Constantly
• Taste/ Smell: Not Applicable

KEY

• Not Applicable = Not required for essential functions
• Occasionally = (0 - 2 hrs/day)
• Frequently = (2+ - 5 hrs/day)
• Constantly = (5+ hrs/day)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This is currently a remote position with the possibility of occasional in-person work at the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) in Richmond, CA.

This position may be required to travel up to 10% for in-person meetings. Supervisor/leadership will determine work schedule.

Must have functioning internet access at remote location.

EEOC STATEMENT

It is the policy of Heluna Health to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.