What are the responsibilities and job description for the Environmental Epidemiologist position at Harris County?
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About Harris County Public Health:
Harris County Public Health (HCPH) includes a network of more than 1,100 public health professionals working together to improve health outcomes for the third most populous county in the United States. HCPH provides a multitude of services such as medical and dental services, community programming, and health education for the approximately 2.3 million people in unincorporated Harris County. Through its core values of innovation, engagement, and health equity, HCPH strives to bring meaningful solutions to public health issues while keeping Harris County healthy and vibrant.
Position Overview:
Under the supervision of the Non-Communicable Disease Manager, the Environmental Epidemiologist applies the principles of environmental epidemiology to surveillance of and response to environmental public health issues, such as chemical incidents, natural disasters, and all conditions that may be associated with environmental exposures. The Epidemiologist monitors environmental burdens and risks, responds to environmental incidents, develops methodologies, and conducts analysis to assess environmental risks and health effects. The Epidemiologist provides consultation on environmental epidemiology as needed across the health department and works collaboratively with internal and external partners to conduct investigations, analyze and report data, and maintain the surveillance system. The Epidemiologist assists in the synthesis of information that contributes to the department’s data-driven practice to understand emerging environmental public health threats, evaluate programs, and prepare for public health response.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Data Analysis and Reports: Conduct data analysis using various data sources and create comprehensive reports of environment-related health conditions, occupational diseases, chronic diseases, and social and economic factors contributing to these conditions. Plan, design, direct, coordinate, analyze, interpret, and report on epidemiological data and/or studies for environmental hazards and health effects. Make epidemiological recommendations to mitigate hazards and improve health. The issues may relate to chemicals, toxins, pollutants, and biological, weaponized, or other agents. The analysis and reports may include internal and external data requests.
- Collaboration: Collaborate with other divisions and offices to identify epidemiological investigation needs as related to diseases associated with climate change and exposures to chemicals, pollutants, toxins, radiation, or biological agents. Support overall epidemiological investigations and control measures, and ensure readiness for responding to bioterrorism, chemical, and other public health threats and emergencies. Collaborate with internal and external partners in environmental epidemiology studies.
- Data Acquisition and Expansion: Assess and utilize federal, state, and local health data sources to better understand and characterize environmental burdens and health impacts. Stay up to date on environmental data, identify new data sources, and submit requests to obtain data to expand data depository.
- Process Development and Improvement: Assist with development of policies, plans, and protocols concerning environmental epidemiology surveillance and response, as well as improvement for environmental studies, cluster and outbreak investigations, data reporting, and preparedness for bioterrorism, chemical, and other public health emergencies. Participate in trainings and exercises related to environment related health conditions and/or risks.
- Surveillance System and Response to Environmental Events: Building upon existing resources, implement and maintain an ongoing and robust epidemiology surveillance system to monitor environmental risks. Identify gaps and make recommendations for improvement. Ensure daily functioning and operations of the system and the ability to detect environmental events or receive notifications of them. As environmental events occur, conduct epidemiology investigations in coordination with internal and external partners, create incident reports, and make recommendations to mitigate exposures and health effects.
Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx
If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or emailADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net.
This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.
https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx
If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or emailADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net.
This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.
Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in environmental health, biostatistics/statistics, epidemiology, public health, or a related health or science field with a research curriculum.
At least (3) years of experience in environmental, occupational, chronic disease, or infectious disease epidemiology; and experience working with disease surveillance systems. Experience in analyzing statistical data and application of statistical techniques such as measures of association, confidence intervals and tests of significance.
Proficient in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook). Proficient with statistical analysis software (SPSS, STATA, SAS, R, or SQL). Excellent communication skills (verbal & written). Ability to provide data visualization. Ability to write reports and technical papers. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and foster teamwork in a diverse environment. Ability to maintain confidentiality when dealing with sensitive information. Ability to work well with public and staff member.
Understands the organizational mission. Understands ethics and public good; is concerned with public trust. Demonstrates respect for the opinions and beliefs of others.
Contributes to an inclusive workplace where equity, diversity, inclusion, and individual differences are valued and leveraged to achieve the vision and mission. Demonstrates a sense of responsibility for the success of the group. Collaborates with others to improve quality and address needs.
- Ability to adapt to change.
- Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect.
- Behaves in an honest, fair, and ethical manner.
- Assesses and recognizes own strengths and weaknesses.
- Uses sound judgment.
- Self-motivated.
- Organizes and maintains work environment to allow for maximum productivity.
- Communicates clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
NOTE:Qualifying education, experience, knowledge and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.
This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are typically Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 5 pm. Other days and hours as necessary.
This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.
- This is a largely sedentary role; however, some duties would require the ability to lift up to 20 pounds and bending & standing for periods at a time.
- Harris County Public Health: Office of Epidemiology, Surveillance and Emerging Diseases - 1111 Fannin St. Houston, Texas. 77002.
Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.
Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.
Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.
Salary : $69,264
