Epidemiologist 1 or 2 - Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention Program

Our Role: Want to do meaningful work that has a real impact in our community? Please come join our team-oriented, family-friendly organization of over 125 talented public health professionals. We work hard every day to keep Kitsap County safe and healthy. 

The Program: We all want to be healthy and live long lives—enjoying our families, remaining independent, and pursuing our favorite activities as long as possible. The kind of lifestyle we live — from childhood through adulthood — affects how healthy and active we can be. Our program works in the community to support healthy behaviors and reduce health risks through collaboration, education, and the promotion of resources.

The Position: Under the direction of the Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention Program Manager, the Epidemiologist 1 or 2 provides data collection and analysis, program monitoring and evaluation, and participates in community initiatives within the area of chronic disease and injury prevention. This includes the development of metrics, and the collection, analysis, interpretation, evaluation, and presentation of information describing programs and the health status of populations or communities and access to care within a specified region. The incumbent will work closely with Kitsap Public Health District's (KPHD) Substance Use and Prevention Response Program, with an immediate focus on the opioid impacts in our community. The incumbent will coordinate and collaborate with partner organizations in Kitsap County and across the state. 

Hours: 40 hours per week – 100% FTE, requires occasional evening and weekend hours.

Status: Permanent full-time position.  
 
Benefits: The district offers a comprehensive health benefit plan which includes medical, dental, and life coverages, including several voluntary plan selections through The Standard, Aflac, and Met Life. The district provides medical and dental coverage contributing percentages of the average medical and dental insurance premium costs for full time employees as follows: Employee @ 100%, Employee & Spouse @ 90%, Employee & Child(ren) @ 90%, and Full Family @ 85%. Benefits include generous paid time off, and twelve paid holidays per year. Employees participate in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), a defined benefit retirement plan managed by the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and Social Security. Several deferred compensation retirement savings plans are also offered.

Please note: After a successful trial service period, generally at least three months, a limited hybrid telework arrangement may be established as mutually beneficial.  2024 salary ranges are provided. Salaries and associated ranges for 2025 have yet to be established. 

Essential Functions:  

• Performs statistical analysis of demographic and health data from a variety of sources and creates tabular and graphic presentations using a variety of statistical packages, database programs, spreadsheets, word processing and other software and graphics programs. 
• Ensures accuracy in data interpretation and presentation of information.
• Aids existing community groups, coalitions, boards, and service providers to increase their capacity to develop community health programs and implement community-level strategies.
• Makes presentations on public health issues and the health status of Kitsap County. Accurately presents complex statistical methods and results appropriately to a variety of audiences and stakeholders.
• Gathers data and performs data entry into a variety of database programs. Assists with database design and data management.
• Develops and implements a countywide Overdose Fatality Review Team using currently developed toolkits and in collaboration with the KPHD led county wide Child Fatality Review Team. 
• Manages a complex workload amidst competing and demanding priorities and timelines.
• Ensures data accuracy in quantitative and qualitative data collection, data sets and data analysis, utilizing mixed methods when appropriate.
• Prepares interactive dashboards, reports, and fact sheets. Contributes to the design of epidemiologic studies, surveys, and other data collection tools and databases, and contributes to data anlysis and report writing for assessment and evaluation projects.
• Participates in performance measurement and quality improvement which may include assisting in the design of reporting tools/formats; collecting, analyzing, and preparing reports on performance outcomes.
• Responds to requests for data and data analytics and support from District staff, the public, other agencies, community groups, and local hospitals, and assists them in interpreting and using the data for program planning and development of health policy. 
• Is knowledgeable about the impact of socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, mental or physical ability, religion, and gender or behaviors, attitudes and values related to health.
• Thoughtfully analyzes data and information in a way the brings forward highly useful information quickly and efficiently, acknowledging data limitations.
• Demonstrates project management skills and the ability to work autonomously with little direct supervision in the development and implementation of a project.
• Coordinates competing project timelines and expectations in order to meet deadlines; ensures timely identification of issues and coordinates as needed to keep projects on track.
• Develops materials for, facilitates and/or participates in meetings with District staff, contract and community partners.
• Participates in statewide and community groups, committees, and coalitions, as necessary.
• Performs literature reviews as needed.
• Assists with grant writing as needed.
• Assists with contract development, negotiation, and coordination as needed.
• Works both independently and within a collaborative team-oriented environment; contributes openly, disagrees respectfully, listens to the ideas of others, and works for consensus. 
• Participates in staff meetings. 
• Models an organizational culture that promotes the practice of respect for people, openness, trust, safety transparency, collaborative problem solving, managing with data, in the pursuit of incremental continuous improvement and assurance.
• Demonstrates cultural humility and embeds health equity in all aspects of assigned work and associated interactions. 
• Accurately completes and submits electronic timecard on a weekly basis as required. 
• Responds to public health emergencies as required.
• Establishes and maintains cooperative, effective working relationships with coworkers, other District employees, community partners and the public using principles of good customer service. 
• Reports for scheduled work with regular, reliable, and punctual attendance. 
• Performs other duties as assigned.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Work is performed primarily indoors in an office environment, with travel to attend meetings and other events as needed. Hybrid remote options will be available by mutual agreement after an initial trial /training period. Please see the job announcement for additional information.

Education & Experience:

Epidemiologist 1

• Bachelor's degree in epidemiology, biostatistics, or public health (with coursework in epidemiology and biostatistics); and
• Two years of experience in public health assessment or a related health field that demonstrates competency, OR

• A master's degree in epidemiology, biostatistics, or public health (with emphasis in epidemiology and biostatistics) with some relevant experience preferred.

Epidemiologist 2

• Master's degree in epidemiology, biostatistics, or public health (with coursework in epidemiology and biostatistics); and
• Two years of experience in local public health assessment or a related health field that demonstrates competency.

Preferred qualifications include experience in data analysis, community health assessment, and monitoring & evaluation. 

Degrees must be from appropriately accredited institutions.

Licenses, Certificates, and Other Requirements:

• Performance of job duties requires driving on a regular basis, which may include out-of-county travel, a valid Washington State driver’s license, and proof of appropriate auto insurance. Use of a personal vehicle is required when a District fleet vehicle is not available for use. 

All required licenses must be maintained in an active status without suspension or revocation throughout employment.

To view the job announcement and complete the required electronic application, please visit the Careers section of our website at kitappublichealth.org or go to GovernmentJobs.com.