Epidemiologist

Summary:

The Maternal and Child Health Senior Consultant will provide advanced expertise in the collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of maternal and child health (MCH) data. The role will be responsible for leading epidemiological investigations, conducting program evaluations, and providing data-driven recommendations to improve MCH outcomes. The Maternal and Child Health Senior Consultant will develop appropriate activities that address the following areas: (a) conduct research and surveillance activities in the area of maternal, infant, child and adolescent [including children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN)] morbidity and mortality; (b) build epidemiology capacity within the MCH Program; (c) provide information needed by managers and program leaders for MCH program development, evidenced-based interventions, program management, resource allocation, and program evaluation; and (d) provide consultation to the State on MCH issues as needed.

The Maternal and Child Health Senior Consultant will support the ongoing Maternal and Child Health Title V Needs Assessment, Maternal Health Innovation, Pregnancy Risk Factor Monitoring System, and Personal Responsibility Education Program initiatives. The Maternal and Child Health Senior Consultant will also collaborate with various stakeholders, including MCH professionals, healthcare providers, community organizations, and researchers.

Position Responsibilities:

Data Management and Analysis:

• Perform complex data linkages and integrate data from various sources (e.g., vital records, electronic health records, surveys) using software such as SAS, Stata, and R.
• Develop and implement data quality control procedures.
• Analyze MCH data to identify trends, patterns, risk factors, and disparities.
• Apply advanced statistical methods, including regression analysis, time-series analysis, and multivariate analysis.
• Develop and validate predictive models.

Needs Assessment and Program Evaluation:

• Lead the data components of MCH needs assessments, including data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Design and conduct evaluations of MCH programs and interventions to assess their effectiveness and impact.
• Develop evaluation frameworks, metrics, and plans.

Surveillance and Monitoring:

• Develop and implement surveillance systems to monitor MCH indicators and outcomes.
• Conduct surveillance for specific MCH issues, such as birth defects, neonatal abstinence syndrome, severe maternal morbidity, healthy relationship and dating violence, and teen pregnancy prevention.

Reporting and Dissemination:

• Prepare and present data findings in reports, presentations, factsheets, infographics, and peer-reviewed publications.
• Create data visualizations and dashboards to communicate data effectively to diverse audiences.

Collaboration and Consultation:

• Collaborate with MCH professionals, researchers, community organizations, and policymakers.
• Provide technical assistance and consultation on MCH epidemiology methods and data use.
• Participate in relevant committees, workgroups, and task forces.

Project Management and Leadership:

• Lead and manage MCH research and epidemiology projects.
• Develop project proposals, work plans, and timelines.
• Mentor epidemiologists, interns, and fellows.

Qualifications:

• PhD in Epidemiology or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in MCH epidemiology or a related field.
• Strong skills in statistical analysis and data management software (SAS, Stata, R).
• Experience in data linkage, survey design, and qualitative data analysis.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Work Environment:

Five-day hybrid workweek. All work will be performed in tracked daily logs that will be provided to the supervisor, 5 days per week, between 7:00 am and 6:00pm on normal scheduled business days (Monday to Friday), excluding public holidays and furlough days.

Security/Privacy Considerations: Information accessible by the contractor employees may be sensitive, confidential or subject to the Privacy Act and/or HIPAA considerations. Contractor personnel must be familiar with and comply with the provisions of appropriate regulations and/or instructions. Signing of a confidentiality agreement will be required. The display of an access badge will be required at all times that the contracted employee is present in the facility.