LACKAWANNA COUNTY JOB DESCRIPTION Department: Department of Human Services Job Title: Epidemiologist Reports to: DHS Executive Director, May receive work assignments from the DHS/Office of Social Services Research and Development Job Purpose and Overview Responsible for creating epidemiological investigative work by assisting in the design and analysis of local epidemiological investigations for the purposes of preserving or increasing community health and well-being or other special studies based upon diverse data sources, including but not limited to Department of Health, Health Information Exchange(s) Human Service data which includes Area Agency on Aging, Behavioral Health/Intellectual Disabilities/Early Intervention, Child Welfare(Office of Youth and Family Services), and Drug and Alcohol Programs. A primary focus will be measures related to the impact of the Social Determinants of Health on public health and well-being within Lackawanna County. The person in this position would be part of a multidisciplinary team which includes the Office of Social Services Research and Development (OSSRD), Coroner’s Office, Emergency Services, The Office of Planning and Economic Development, Veteran’s Affairs and a county affiliated IRC 501(c)(3), the Center for Health and Human Services Research and Action (CHHSRA) among others. Job Duties Identify causative agents or conditions that result in poor or adverse health effects, including but not limited to population behavior, health inequity and environmental factors. Propose corrective action or interventions to prevent or alleviate public health problems based on epidemiological findings. Provide data and information concerning corrective actions undertaken by the department. Analyze and interpret data for DHS Administration and other County and/or County - affiliated decision makers to create programs and policies to alleviate adverse health effects and promote public health and well-being. Participate in root cause analyses of disease outbreaks. Collect data and interview cases and controls along with the Office of Social Services Research and Development and CHHRSA to identify the incidence, prevalence, or causes of human morbidity and mortality. Begin epidemiological investigations of communicable disease outbreaks, chronic illness conditions, disease risk factors, or other adverse health, including behavioral health, outcomes. Assist in the creation and management of disease surveillance systems for the county. Perform epidemiological and statistical analyses on data and prepares results for review. Conduct disease surveillance operations. Create routine statistical summary reports and present findings. Create and deliver case control, cohort, or cross-sectional studies Interpret results of investigations and compare to local or national health outcome data and goals (e.g., Healthy People 2030). Maintain records and databases. Minimum Qualifications A Master’s degree is required specifically in public health (MPH) or equivalent discipline with experience in biostatistics, data management, meta-analysis, and interpretation of same. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Experience working with interdisciplinary and/or multidisciplinary teams. Fluency in a data analytic application or language such as R, SPSS, or Stata is highly preferrable but not mandatory. .