Local Health Environmental Analyst

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is seeking a Local Health Environmental Analyst. This role plays an essential part in supporting the Office of Local and Regional Health (OLRH) in achieving the goals outlined in the Blueprint for Public Health Excellence. Working under the guidance of the Assistant Director of Data Systems, you are responsible for assisting in the development, implementation, and ongoing support of an integrated data collection system for local public health (LPH).

As a subject matter expert, you are responsible for informing the development of the LPH data system to ensure integration of specific features and functions needed at the local level. These include but are not limited to the ability for LPH to be able to complete necessary professional environmental analysis such as air pollution, water supply and pollution, and public health and hazardous and solid waste management in order to locate, abate or control sources of environmental pollutants. You will also create training materials and oversee the training and support of LPH workforce. Your responsibility includes improving environmental health elements of the data system for LPH during the iterative stages, built in accordance with applicable laws, rules, regulations, and standards.

Adhering to sound environmental science principles and practices, your in-depth, firsthand knowledge of the local public health system are crucial as you address any subject matter and integration troubleshooting needed to the system once fully developed and deployed. Working closely with EOHHS IT as they support OLRH in the build out and ongoing iterations of this system, you will support the development of the different functions within the local public health data solution. Your responsibilities extend beyond technical support, encompassing the standardization of processes to enable comprehensive data analysis, trend identification, and informed decision-making across the Commonwealth. Your commitment to continuous quality improvement, development of resource materials, and proactive communication ensures the success of this critical initiative, making a lasting impact on public health outcomes.

The Office of Local and Regional Health acknowledges the history of structural racism and its impact on health. We are committed to improving the quality of life for all Commonwealth residents while eliminating inequities that impact the lives of communities of color who are disproportionately affected by conditions leading to poor health outcomes. The Local Health Environmental Analyst will be part of the Office’s vision of implementing strategies that ensure the Office’s work, policies and programs are inclusive and equitable for all. The position must integrate health and racial equity principles throughout OLRH’s Performance Standards technical assistance at the state and local level to recognize and address the disparate health outcomes for marginalized populations.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Serve as programmatic liaison for both DPH wide Offices and Bureaus, and with contracted vendor responsible for OLRH data system management.
• Work closely with EOHHS IT to support OLRH in the build out and ongoing iterations of the system.
• Inform in the development of LPH Data system methodologies and procedures for scientific data input based on knowledge of LPH needs.
• Address all environmental health user concerns from an environmental health perspective and take care of any subject matter integration and troubleshooting needed to the system once fully developed and deployed.
• Determine how to integrate the ability to perform calculations relating to environmental science problems needed at the LPH level. Incorporate the ability to determine possible impacts on water, soil, air, and public health.
• Perform gap analysis, troubleshoot and resolve data inconsistencies. Improve functionality throughout iterative process. Implement strategies to solve emerging issues in timely manner.
• Work with EOHHS IT to determine post development system management and LPH system support plan including the development of a continuous quality improvement (CQI) process.
• Lead development of the training/communication materials about the data system to inform LPH and partner groups of data system development, usage, and functionality.

Required Qualifications:

• Extensive experience working in/with local public health departments.
• In-depth knowledge of local public health work, policies, and processes.
• Experience supporting a diverse team in systems change.
• Understanding of the principles and practices of environmental science and public health.
• Knowledge of the terminology and standard abbreviations used in environmental science and public health.
• Master of the types and uses of instruments and equipment both portable and stationary, used in measuring environmental conditions.
• Knowledge of the chemical properties of water including pH, conductivity, presence of trace metals, volatile organic compounds, turbidity, nutrient levels, and seasonal temperature characteristics.
• Capacity to solve problems and resolve conflicts creatively and patiently.
• Detail-oriented, highly organized, and able to exercise discretion in handling confidential health information.
• Proficiency with MS Office including Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of project management, organizational development, and quality improvement.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working within a racial equity frame, upstream approaches, and data to action principles.
• Understanding of the types and uses of agency forms and equipment.
• Knowledge of computer applications used in solving environmental science problems.
• Master of the methods and techniques followed in the inspection of environmental monitoring equipment and projects.
• Understanding of the types and uses of personal protection and safety equipment.
• Knowledge of the methods and techniques of solid waste disposal and hazardous waste treatment.
• Able to understand and apply laws, rules and regulations concerning the environment in connection with the alteration and protection of public health and the environment.

About the Department of Public Health:

The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to prevent illness, injury, and premature death, to assure access to high quality public health and health care services, and to promote wellness and health equity for all people in the Commonwealth. We envision a Commonwealth in which all people enjoy optimal health. Massachusetts ranks among the healthiest of states according to comparative analyses, but we face numerous challenges, including chronic and infectious disease, substance abuse, violence, preventable hospitalizations, and health disparities. DPH coordinates programs and policies to address specific diseases and conditions and offer services to address the needs of vulnerable populations. We also develop, implement, promote, and enforce regulations and policies to assure that the conditions under which people live are most conducive to health and enable people to make healthy choices for themselves and their families. We license health professionals, healthcare facilities and a variety of businesses that impact public health. We operate the state laboratory and four public health hospitals. We monitor health status and manage vital records including births, marriages and deaths. We educate people about public health issues and work closely with local boards of health and community partners to identify and solve public health problems.

More information can be found at: MA Department of Public Health

Pre-Hire Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Record Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the ADA Reasonable Accommodation Request Form.

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800- 510-4122 Ext. #4

• Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

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