Deputy State Epidemiologist

Do you have extensive epidemiologic skills? Do you want to join a winning team that is dedicated to making lives better for the people of our state? Are you passionate about using data to impact people's health? If this is you, what are you waiting for? Come join Utah's public health team! The State of Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is seeking you as a Deputy State Epidemiologist to fill a critical role.

As the Deputy State Epidemiologist, you will provide technical support across DHHS, supporting different teams' ability to collect data, perform evaluations, and implement interventions. The deputy will be asked to focus predominantly on non-infectious disease issues, but will have opportunities to work on projects across a variety of public health issues. This person will support the actions of the state epidemiologist, responding to inquiries from legislators, the public, and the media. In order to be successful in this role you need experience working in a senior capacity with epidemiological data as well as advanced knowledge, expertise, and skills in the field commensurate to a doctoral level degree OR an MPH/MPA or graduate degree with specific work in public health. Due to the nature of this position, compliance to the Utah Department of Health Immunization policy is required. Local travel is required.

Please note: As a state employee, you must be able to physically perform your work within the state of Utah (online or in-office) by no-later-than 30 days after your start date.

Why You Should Join Our Team
This is an opportunity to make a difference. Along with the satisfaction of helping improve Utah’s scientific understanding of current public health problems,, you will receive great health and retirement benefits, such as, generous paid time off so you can have a positive work life balance.

The Agency
To learn more about the role you may fill with DHHS,

Responsibilities

Principal Duties
As the Deputy State Epidemiologist, you will:

• Collaborate with the State Epidemiologist to set standards for epidemiological functions in the State.
• Serve as the backup scientific advisor to the Executive Director, state and local public health entities, Governor, and/or the federal government and serves as an expert for all state and national epidemiological activities.
• Act as or provide back-up to the State Epidemiologist in their absence.
• Providing recommendations and guidance to staff and leadership, and external stakeholders consistent with Division, and Department priorities.
• Provide statistical expertise across programs within DHHS, including complex survey analysis.
• Provide leadership in initiating, planning, developing, executing, evaluating, and communicating non-infectious disease epidemiological initiatives.
• Support strategic planning, mentor a variety of staff within the department, offer guidance on surveillance of reportable conditions, and engage with community partners on a variety of disease topics.
• Respond to legislative, press, and community inquiries.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Has R or SAS programming experience.
• Has a history of successful publication.
• Has deep knowledge of diseases of public health interest.
  
• Possesses strong speaking and communications skills with the ability to professionally and competently communicate with staff, peers, leadership, and external partners, verbally and in writing. This includes the ability to prepare reports and provide presentations at meetings and conferences for a variety of audiences.
• Has the ability to effectively build and collaborate with diverse teams and programs.
• Has at least five years of public health experience to include a deep knowledge of diseases of public health interest.
• Has at least five years of previous mentoring/supervisory experience.
• Has the ability to professionally and competently communicate with staff, peers, leadership, and external partners, and the public, verbally and in writing. This includes the ability to prepare reports and provide presentations at meetings and conferences.
• Has the ability to effectively build and collaborate with diverse teams and programs.

• A Doctoral level degree OR an MPH/MPA or graduate degree in statistics with specific work in public health.
• At least 5 years of experience providing effective leadership and management in a public health leadership position, ideally in a governmental setting, that includes programmatic and fiscal responsibilities, along with management of staff.
• Experience working on chronic disease issues within public health.
• Expert level knowledge of principles and practices of surveillance and epidemiology, ideally demonstrated through work experience with these responsibilities for at least 5 years.
• Experience with utilizing statistical analysis methods.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions:

• The typical office setting for this job is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated. However, you may encounter some risks that are associated with any office setting, for example, the safe use of office equipment, avoiding trips and falls, observing fire regulations, etc.
• Standard Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
• Continued employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

• Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform the work; however, there may be some walking; standing; bending; carrying light items; driving an automobile, etc. Special physical demands are not required to perform the work.