Epidemiologist III – Chronic Disease Epidemiology Supervisor – Fairfax County Government – Fairfax, VA

Works as a senior epidemiologist leading the Chronic Disease Team in the Population Health Section of an expanding Division of Epidemiology and Population Health. Established in 2018, the Population Health program has a primary focus on examining health and well-being at the population level, including underlying disparities across demographic and geographic groups; as well as a focus on understanding the mechanisms through which behavioral, structural, economic, social, and cultural factors interact in producing observed health related patterns over the life course. Key to the work of the Population Health program is the application of analytic information in the promotion and implementation of effective cross-sectoral strategies for optimizing health and well-being and reducing health inequities.

Key capabilities for this position include:

• Knowledge and experience in the application of epidemiologic principles and methods in the collection and analysis of data associated with monitoring and assessing population trends in chronic diseases and conditions, behavioral risk factors, and social determinants of health, and the impact of prevention, intervention, and health promotion strategies;
• The ability to apply prominent conceptual models and theories regarding the multi-determinants of health, health disparities, and health equity in the development of analytic questions, study and evaluation designs, interpretation of analytic findings, and the identification of effective policy and programmatic models;
• Experience in the utilization of surveillance (e.g., cancer registry), administrative (e.g., vital records, insurance claims, hospital discharge data), survey (e.g., Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, Fairfax Youth Survey) and census (e.g., American Community Survey) data in the characterization and evaluation of disease trends and risk factors;
• Knowledge of strategies and methods for conducting primary data collection including survey development, sampling, recruitment, data management, and complex survey data analysis;
• The ability to effectively translate and present analytic findings for informing data-driven programs and policies;
• Skill in building and supporting collaborative partnerships with diverse internal and external stakeholders in the identification of community needs, and the development and implementation of strategies for promoting optimal health and well-being and reducing health inequities.
• Proficiency in the utilization of common statistical (e.g., R, SAS, STATA, SPSS), data visualization and dashboard (e.g., Tableau, Power BI), geocoding and mapping (e.g., ArcView GIS), and data collection (e.g., REDCap) software applications.

The successful candidate will undertake the following key activities to advance population health in Fairfax County:

• Descriptive and inferential analyses identifying county-level population trends, patterns, and disparities in chronic health conditions and underlying health determinants utilizing local, state, and national data sources.
• Identification and acquisition of relevant quantitative and qualitative data sources for information regarding local population characteristics, health determinants, and health outcomes; and the development of appropriate analytic datasets (e.g., data extraction, cleaning, coding, and matching).
• Implementation of quantitative and qualitative primary data collection efforts (e.g., data entry forms, surveys, focus groups, key informant interviews) designed to assess chronic disease related health determinants and outcomes across target populations.
• Contribute to the planning and implementation of monitoring and evaluation activities targeted toward assessing the impact of local policies, initiatives, and programs.
• Conduct systematic literature reviews on key issues related to the prevention, screening, treatment, and care of chronic conditions.
• Produce infographics, reports, white papers, manuscripts, and presentations translating analytic findings for diverse audiences with varying levels of epidemiologic and public health expertise.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of internal and external data visualization dashboards.
• Application of analytic findings in the identification of local population health priorities and development of effective county programs and policies.
• Contribute to the development and monitoring of local strategic plans targeted toward addressing chronic disease related needs and reducing health inequities.
• Support community outreach and engagement providing data in formats useful to the community and incorporating the community in program monitoring, improvement, and evaluation.
• Develop and maintain collaborative working relationships with internal and external partners in identifying and promoting effective cross-sectoral strategies for addressing public health needs.
• Support the development of internal division and departmental capacity through peep-to-peer technical assistance and training based on area of expertise.

The Division of Epidemiology and Population Health includes about 25 doctoral and master’s level epidemiologists and public health nurses. Programs include Acute and Chronic Communicable Diseases, Population Health, and Environmental Epidemiology. Primary roles of the Division include characterizing and monitoring disease burden and health disparities; investigating disease outbreaks and recommending preventive measures; implementing and evaluating impacts of prevention programs and policies; conducting public health research; and communicating with scientific and lay stakeholders.

Fairfax County is the largest health jurisdiction in Virginia and in the National Capital Region with about 1.2 million people. The population is demographically diverse with over 30% being foreign born and almost 40% speaking a language other than English at home. FCHD’s location allows for the development of partnerships with leaders in public health at Federal agencies, universities, and non-profits across the National Capital Region.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Advanced degree in epidemiology: doctorate degree (PhD) plus two years of experience in epidemiology-related work, or master’s degree in Public Health (MPH) or Master of Science (MS) with graduate work in epidemiology and/or biostatistics plus five years of experience in epidemiology-related work.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
Valid driver’s license.
AED- Required within 60 days
CPR- Required within 60 days

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
PhD in Epidemiology, Health Behavior, Population Health, or related field.
Previous experience working at a local, state, or federal health agency.
Previous work experience in chronic diseases, injury, substance use, and/or health disparities.
Experience working collaboratively with staff representing diverse areas of expertise.
Experience engaging with multicultural populations and community organizations.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, a check of the Child Protective Services Registry, and a driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.

All newly hired employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (two weeks after the last required dose) as a condition of employment or obtain approval of a medical or religious exemption prior to their start date. Proof of an exemption or vaccination status will be required during the pre-employment onboarding process. New employees who obtain an exemption from the vaccine mandate for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs may be subject to a weekly testing requirement. Vaccinated employees and employees with a medical or religious exemption will complete the attestation online on their first day of employment or shortly thereafter.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Job is generally sedentary in nature; however, job entails walking, standing, sitting, climbing stairs, reaching and bending. Employee may be required to lift or carry up to 25 lbs. occasionally. Uses hands to grasp, handle, or feel. Visual acuity is required to read data on a computer monitor. Incumbent must be able to operate keyboard driven equipment and computer. Position frequently communicates and must be able to exchange accurate information with others verbally and in writing. Ability to drive a vehicle. Generally works in an office environment yet may occasionally be required to perform job duties outside of the typical office setting. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO/AA/TTY.