Epidemiologist (OHB)

SUMMARY

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Occupational Health Branch (OHB) is recruiting for an Epidemiologist to inform data collection, analysis, and interpretation of COVID-19 cases and possibly other emerging diseases with similar risk potential (e.g. avian influenza) in California’s workers. This is a remote position that could be conducted from anywhere in the United States.

The Epidemiologist will offer technical expertise regarding outbreak response and management to epidemiologists in other teams within the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and local health departments (LHDs) for tracking and managing workplace outbreaks in times of infectious surge. This position will assist with outbreak investigations, interpretation of case and outbreak data, identification of risk factors, and development of preventive measures.

Additionally, the Epidemiologist will study the impact to working populations. Duties include coding, abstracting, gathering, linking, and analyzing data to understand work-related variables contributing to risk of infection, vaccination, treatment response, and death. The Epidemiologist may generate analyses from multiple data sources including workers’ compensation data and the California Health Interview Survey.

The Epidemiologist will work closely with a multi-disciplinary team consisting of other epidemiologists, physicians, industrial hygienists, and health educators. The Occupational Health Branch works closely with other CDPH teams including the Infectious Diseases Branch and COVID Control Branch.

This is a limited-term position funded through June 30, 2026.

Salary Range: $78,144 - $119,000 annually depending on experience/qualifications.

Applicants must submit a cover letter and curriculum vitae to be considered.

If hired for this position, you will be required to provide proof that you are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to your start date or have a valid religious or medical reason qualifying you for an exemption (that may or may not require an accommodation).

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 infection and disease outcomes for COVID-19 and any other potential emerging infections in workers.
• Abstract and analyze vital statistics and other data, such as Doctor’s First Reports of Occupational Injury or Illness, to examine 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 levels.
• Conduct literature reviews of scientific questions.
• Coordinate and interact with other CDPH 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 of 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: 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

Remote. Must have functioning Wi-Fi/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.