Epidemiologist jobs in Oregon

Clackamas County employees work to serve the public and enrich our community. In that spirit, we pledge to hold ourselves to these standards at all times in our interactions with customers and one another:

· Service · Professionalism · Integrity · Respect · Individual accountability · Trust

By incorporating these values into our daily routines, we can better serve our customers, ourselves and our projects. We’re always looking to improve. That’s the Clackamas County SPIRIT.

Clackamas County Core Values

Clackamas County is committed to building a community where people thrive, have a sense of safety, connection, and belonging, so that everyone is honored and celebrated for the richness in diversity they bring. We encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds and lived experience to apply.

This Job Posting closes at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time) on Monday, June 24, 2024.

Annual Pay Range: $72,266.58 - $91,537.25

Hourly Pay Range: $34.743549 - $44.008292

Salary offers will be made within the posted pay range and will be based on a candidate's experience (paid or unpaid) that is directly relevant to the position.

Clackamas County proudly offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, including competitive wages, cost-of-living adjustments, merit increases (for eligible employees), and a robust sick and vacation plan for regular status employees.

We encourage and support employee health and wellness by offering, health and wellness classes and events, and alternative care benefits, so you can customize your wellness needs to fit your lifestyle.

Employee benefits become effective the first of the month following an employee’s date of hire.

Attractive benefits package and incentives for employees in regular status positions are detailed below.

Generous paid time off package, including:

• 12 hours of vacation accrued per month
  • Eligible newly hired employees will have the one-time option to frontload their first year of vacation accruals in compliance with EPP 66 - Vacation Leave! This means you have access to vacation time at time of hire.
• 8 hours of sick accrued per month
• 10 paid holidays and 1 personal day per year

Other Benefits:

• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP):
  • Employer paid 6% PERS retirement contribution (The county currently pays the employee’s share of the retirement contribution.)
  • OPSRP members get vested after five years of contributions or when they reach age 65
• A Choice of Medical Plans that include chiropractic coverage, alternative care, vision, and prescription drug coverage
• A Choice of Dental Plans
• Robust EAP and wellness programs, including gym discounts and wellness education classes
• Longevity pay
• Other retirement Savings Options that allow for additional retirement funds savings, including an option to contribute a portion of employee earnings on a pre or post-tax basis to a 457b Deferred Compensation Plan
• A variety of additional optional benefits (see links below for additional information)

This is a full time County position represented by the Employees' Association.

Employees' Association (EA) Full Time Benefits

Learn More About Benefits

The Clackamas County Public Health Division is seeking a Population Health Epidemiologist to join our Data Team in the Center for Population Health (CPH). The Population Health Epidemiologist is responsible for data, research and analysis support for program and policy initiatives within CPH and the division. They also provide subject-matter expertise and data support for program areas across the tri-county region and among other county divisions and departments.

The Population Epidemiologist position will serve as a data and research consultant to County staff and partners, producing reports and publications using advanced statistical software packages. They must possess a strong understanding of the social determinants of health and racial health equity, recognizing how their work promotes these concepts.

Required Minimum Qualifications/ Transferrable Skills:*

• A Master’s degree by date of hire from an accredited school of Public Health, with an emphasis in epidemiology or biostatistics and additional completed coursework in research methodology, behavioral science, environmental sciences, survey methodology, and/or health services administration.
• A minimum of one (1) year of relevant experience in applied epidemiology and research in a public health environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of social determinants of health and health equity.
• Proficient programming in a statistical software package, either Statistical Analysis System (SAS) or R (Statistical Computing).
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of principle, methods and procedures of epidemiology, biostatistics, and population-based surveillance.
• Skill to establish and maintain cooperative relations with public and private social and health agencies.
• Experience preparing clear and concise reports, presentations, and data visualizations for multiple audiences.

Preferred Special Qualifications/ Transferrable Skills:*

• Experience developing and implementing strategic public health surveillance approaches, data collection systems and data dashboards.
• Experience in the area of Climate and Health
• Proficiency in geospatial mapping systems including ArcGIS.
• Experience using data visualization software such as Tableau.
• Knowledge of data equity and data decolonization strategies.
• Knowledge of quantitative and qualitative data collection methods.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including MS Word, MS Excel, and MS Outlook.
• Experience planning, exercising or responding to public health emergencies.
• Skill to translate complex data and present to partners, team members and community members.
• Knowledge of causes, prevention and early detection of communicable and chronic disease.
• Knowledge of existing Oregon Statewide data sources (ORPHEUS, EPIC, ESSENCE etc.) and appropriate proxy data for epidemiological assessment and analysis.
• Knowledge of national population-based databases and surveys.
• Expertise in conducting epidemiological investigations, especially focusing on outbreaks of reportable disease.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• Must pass post-offer, pre-employment drug test. Learn more about the County's drug testing policy
• Must pass a criminal history check which may include national or state fingerprint records check
• Driving is required for County business on a regular basis or to accomplish work. Incumbents must possess a valid driver's license, and possess and maintain an acceptable driving record throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the County's driving policy

• For Veterans qualified for Veteran’s Preference: If you believe you have skills that would transfer well to this position and/or special qualifications that relate to this position, please list those skills and/or qualifications in the open-ended question at the end of the application and explain how those skills and/or qualifications relate to this position.

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

1. Analyzes reportable disease data; develops plan to respond to and investigate communicable disease outbreaks; travels to outbreak sites as needed; provides assistance in the development and implementation of epidemiologic response exercises; compiles, maintains, and provides analysis for health care; writes health status reports.

2. Conducts disease reporting, surveillance and quality assurance audits; researches community health and intervention needs and available resources; recommends program changes; recommends design and management of surveillance systems for problems of public health importance.

3. Develops public health risk assessment models; makes recommendations for health policy changes based on findings from local epidemiologic studies and research.

4. Participates in and/or conducts disease outbreak and cluster investigations; participates in the identification of causative agents and environmental conditions contributing to the health issue and identifies corrective actions for morbidity and mortality in an appropriate and timely way; submits appropriate documentation for human subjects review.

5. Acts as project lead when assigned; develops project definitions; estimates time to complete projects; organizes staff and resources; trains interviewers, data collectors and data entry operators in support activities for the conduction of investigations, research activities, evaluations and assessments; conducts seminars and training in epidemiologic methodology and investigative techniques for health division staff, local practitioners and professional meetings; promotes cooperative team efforts among staff and with other County departments.

6. Prepares public health information releases in coordination with the health officer and management; provides public health data interpretation to the community and general public.

7. Prepares appropriate grant applications; acts as the principle investigator on grants received and develops opportunities for funded research.

8. Conducts community meetings and needs assessments; participates in statewide meetings; participates as a member of the Division’s team to support and promote efficient tracking and analysis of data; conducts internal and community meetings.

Thorough Knowledge of: Federal, state and local infectious disease reporting requirements; research methodology and sampling frames; general principles of toxicology, microbiology, genetics, and biology; different methodologies for data collections (quantitative and qualitative); data collection instrument development; analytic techniques to evaluate potential and relative risk.

Working Knowledge of: Scientific inquiry; epidemiologic study design, including prevalence surveys, case control and cohort studies, and population sampling techniques; advanced statistical measurement (linear, multiple and logistic regression, factor analysis and discriminant function analysis, and confidence intervals); a variety of software products including word processing, graphics design, spreadsheets, data bases and statistical packages; principles and practices of project management.

Skill to: Maintain confidentiality and adhere to the highest of ethical and moral standards in the conduction of a scientific inquiry process; establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of differing perspectives and disciplines in and out of the Division; work autonomously with little or no direct supervision in the development and implementation of a project; demonstrate use of sound judgment in determining when to seek additional help; confer with community professionals about issues of public health significance; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; communicate detailed verbal and written presentations; promote effective teamwork; develop, justify and ensure completion of project within budget, time and legal guidelines; coordinate and review work of assigned project staff.

This position is at low risk for exposure to blood products, human biohazards, laboratory chemicals, toxic materials, or environmental hazards. There is some risk of exposure to human infectious agents.

This position is included in the County’s alternate workweek program, working 40 hours during a standard workweek of Monday through Thursday (Fridays off). Specific hours of work will be discussed with the candidate selected for this position at the time an offer of employment is extended. This position is eligible for hybrid on-site/telework subject to the Clackamas County Teleworking Policy and based on the Department’s business needs. The exact amount of on-site/telework and schedule will be discussed with the hiring manager during time of offer. Telework locations cannot be located outside of Oregon or Washington. Washington residents must perform 50% of their time on-site at Clackamas County.

Clackamas County is in a prime location in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area and is recognized nationally as one of the most livable areas in the United States. Located on the southern edge of the City of Portland and extending to the top of Mt. Hood, Clackamas County is part of a thriving region in the Northwest. It has a population of about 420,000 residents.

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ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The health of a community is a key indicator about its quality of life. At Clackamas County Public Health, we are committed to improving the quality of life in Clackamas County by offering services and engaging in activities that protect and promote the health of its residents.

Public Health's Mission

Promote and assist individuals, families & communities to be healthy, safe and thrive. By working with our communities, Public Health assures conditions that:

Prevent injury & disease

Promote health

Protect food, water & air

Prepare for emergencies

Public Health is a Division of the Health, Housing, and Human Services (H3S) Department.

Learn more about Clackamas County Public Health

Public Health is a Division of the Health, Housing, and Human Services (H3S) Department.

Health, Housing, and Human Services (H3S) consists of six divisions, dedicated to ensuring health families and strong communities in Clackamas County.

Mission Statement: We lead and learn with equity in serving individuals, families, and communities by providing access to high quality healthcare, housing, and services that strengthen social and economic resilience.

Vision Statement: Individuals, families, and communities are resilient and thriving.

H3S is committed to improving programs and ensuring better outcomes for the people served, and focuses on the following goals:

• EMPOWERED AND THRIVING STAFF - H3S staff are empowered, engaged and have a sense of belonging while being valued and supported to thrive.
• EQUITY DRIVEN SERVICES - H3S promotes and provides accessible, equitable and culturally responsive services.
• ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE & CONTINUOUS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT - H3S operates consistently, efficiently and effectively as a cohesive department, using our individual and collective skills and expertise.

Clackamas County only accepts online applications.

Help With Your Application:

Application Process

Help with the Application

If you have any questions or issues you may contact the Department of Human Resources at 503-655-8459 or e-mail us. Our office hours are Monday - Thursday 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time (closed on Fridays).

HOW TO CLAIM VETERAN'S PREFERENCE

Request Veterans' Preference

Learn more about the County's Veterans' Preference

VISA SPONSORSHIP

Clackamas County does not offer visa sponsorships. Once a job applicant has accepted a position, they will be required to complete an I-9 and confirm authorization to work in the United States prior to their first day.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Clackamas County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the Department of Human Resources prior to the recruitment close date. You may request an accommodation during the online application process.

Jenn Johnson, Recruiter
JJohnson2@clackamas.us