Epidemiologist

Position Definition:

Manages and collaborates on the planning, development, and implementation of public health surveillance and data analytics activities of the Health Department. Studies and advises on disease prevention and control. Conducts and supports epidemiological investigations. Participates in the design, modification, and evaluation of public health informatics systems.

General Duties:

Manages contact tracing and case investigation activities. Advises staff and partners in public health responses. Enhances and maintains surveillance activities on other reportable diseases and conditions as per Connecticut Public Health Codes and Reportable Diseases. Collaborates with and supports city staff, vendors, and partners to design and modify information technology systems that manage public health data and information effectively to improve public health practice and outcomes. Monitors and analyzes surveillance data and other relevant data sources to identify trends and to support public health response and disease control. Performs ad-hoc data analysis and visualization. Provides regular updates and summary reports on surveillance data to display trends and significant findings. Develops and maintains data dashboards summarizing relevant public health issues. Applies Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software to visualize and analyze geographic distribution of public health data and presents findings to community groups and other partners as needed. Assesses the health status/trends of the community, which includes supporting community health assessments (CHA) and community health improvement plans (CHIP). Monitors effectiveness of public health activities.

Additional Duties:

Serves as the liaison with State and other organizations who collect and/or possess data of interest to the City of Norwalk. Participates in grants research and proposal writing. Writes progress reports and ensures timely submissions to funders. Supports performance improvement activities. Participates in emergency response and planning activities.

Supervised By:

Receives general supervision from the Director of Health or their designee.

Note:

The above is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task or responsibility. Knowledge of the cause, transmission, treatment, and prevention of communicable disease. Knowledge of methods of public health surveillance and disease outbreak investigations. Knowledge of public health factors that affect health and the social determinants of health. Knowledge of federal and state laws, regulations, and policies regarding the reporting and control of disease. Knowledge of data quality assurance techniques. Ability to collect, manage, read, interpret, and apply complex written material. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing and with diverse stakeholders. Ability to use and comprehend computer software programs such as Microsoft Office software suite, Microsoft Power BI and Power Platform, and statistical and other software systems, including Esri ArcGIS Pro and Online as well as other GIS platforms. Ability to provide direction on data collection and interpretationMaster's Degree in Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Statistics, or Master's Degree in Public Health (MPH) or a similar field AND Two ( 2) years or more of work experience in the field of public health. Prior experience with public health surveillance systems and local public health epidemiology preferred.

License or Certificate:

Valid Motor Vehicle Operator's License. This position is a NMEA Grade 19, on-site in Norwalk, CT.