What are the responsibilities and job description for the NWSS EPIDEMIOLOGIST position at PHMC?
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DEPARTMENT: Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH), Division of Disease Control (DDC)
LOCATION: 260 South Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19102
SCHEDULE: Full-time, in-office, 5 days per week
*JOB OVERVIEW:
The Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH), through its Epidemiology and Informatics program located within the Division of Disease Control, studies the incidence, distribution, and possible means of control of diseases. Our DDC epidemiologists support work across all programs and ultimately seek to understand how our communities influence, and are affected by, the spread of disease.
The NWSS Epidemiologist will be responsible for coordinating the collection of wastewater-based virologic ddPCR and sequencing data from the Philadelphia Public Health Laboratory as well as flow data from the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD), cleaning and analyzing those wastewater surveillance data, and reporting the data to the CDC’s 1CDP platform. This person will work with the Senior Epidemiologist and the NWSS Database engineer on ways to improve data reporting, data quality, analyses, and the public display of the data. The NWSS Epidemiologist will also attend various conference calls as related to the overall surveillance program and will play a key role in the expansion of this surveillance program with our partners.
This position is full-time, Monday through Friday, with occasional work after hours and on weekends to support Program activities. The position is grant funded through and dependent on sustained grant funding. During surge periods, this position may require flexibility to support tasks outside of your standard work duties. Surge periods may also require the flexibility to work evenings and weekends, which Division leadership will work cooperatively with staff to arrange and assign. Continuation of the position is dependent on sustained grant funding.
This position reports to the Senior Epidemiologist.
*RESPONSIBILITIES:
· Coordinate the collection of wastewater-based virologic ddPCR and sequencing data from the Philadelphia Public Health Laboratory as well as flow data from the Philadelphia Water Department
· Perform quality assurance of wastewater surveillance data through periodic analyses of the data and with the aid of updated data dictionaries and CDC reporting requirements
· Perform analyses to better understand trends and identify clusters of significance to aid in disease control efforts or data-to-action efforts.
· Explore other methods of data collection that further help automate data collection and reporting (e.g. REDCap or the like)
· Assist in wastewater surveillance reporting to external partners including the CDC and others as necessary
· Use Tableau and other data visualization software (Posit Connect) to present wastewater surveillance data in innovative ways
· Serve as a backup to the NWSS program assistant for sample collection from PWD
· Other duties as assigned within the Epidemiology and Informatics Program, including supporting the syndromic surveillance program and other routine epidemiological activities.
This job may require moderate physical effort including lifting materials and equipment of less than 50 lbs. and involves viewing a CRT or VDT screen 50 to 75 % of the time. The position will be hybrid (remote and in-office) or fully in office. The position requires responding to public health emergencies and at times requires rapid turnaround of communications on short notice.
*SKILLS:
· Applicants should have working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications including Access, familiarity with R and/or Statistical Analytic Software (SAS) and/or REDCap or similar online data collection tools, and demonstrate strong data analytic skills.
· Applicants should be equally comfortable working individually and within a team environment that emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration.
· Flexibility, professionalism and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously are highly valued attributes.
· Excellent communication and organizational skills, and attention to detail
· Candidates should have strong critical thinking skills, excellent English language skills, including composition, grammar and public speaking
*EXPERIENCE:
· Two years of epidemiology work experience in a professional setting preferred
*EDUCATION REQUIREMENT:
· A master’s degree in public health, epidemiology or equivalent scientific program from an accredited institution required.
OR
Any combination of education and experience deemed acceptable
SALARY:
Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.
PHMC is an Equal Opportunity and E-Verify Employer.
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