Epidemiologist II | Best Starts for Kids Epidemiologist/Evaluator

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Epidemiologist II | Best Starts for Kids Epidemiologist/Evaluator

Salary

$41.75 - $52.92 Hourly

Location

Seattle, WA

Job Type

Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week

Job Number

2021ML14956

Department

DPH - Public Health

Opening Date

12/28/2021

Closing Date

3/3/2022 5:00 PM Pacific

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

D1 : WSCCCE L21HD-DPH

Summary

The Assessment, Policy Development, and Evaluation unit at Public Health Seattle & King County is seeking an Epidemiologist II who is highly skilled at partnering with racially/ethnically diverse communities to conduct quantitative analyses and public health evaluations that draw from community-based participatory research methods.  We are seeking Epidemiologists who will bring their lived experiences as well as their technical competencies to work on quantitative analyses, performance measurement and evaluation projects to support King County’s Best Starts for Kids. Best Starts for Kids (Best Starts) is King County’s community-driven initiative to support every baby born and child raised in King County to be happy, healthy, safe, and thriving. Initially approved by voters in 2015 and in place since 2016, Best Starts invests in comprehensive supports for children, youth, young adults, and families and caregivers, catalyzing strong starts in early childhood, and sustaining those gains as children progress to adulthood. Best Starts was renewed by voters in August 2021. Implementation of Best Starts is guided by the BSK Implementation Plan, approved by the King County Council in November 2021 for Levy 2022-27.  
 

This posting is open continuous with the first review of applicants to take place on January 12, 2022. 

Description of the Positions

This position will lead evaluations of Best Starts for Kids efforts using a range of quantitative methods in practice and community settings. Individuals who have experience conducting quantitative population health analyses and evaluation of programs serving children, youth, and young adults and who want to support communities via their technical skills are encouraged to apply. We seek to operationalize and embed equity in all our work.  Interested applicants with advanced qualitative analysis skills should consider applying for the Social Research Scientist companion posting.
 
This position will be a member of the Best Starts’ Data and Evaluation team, which is a cross-departmental team. This posting will be used to fill a position based within Public Health-Seattle & King County’s Assessment, Policy Development, and Evaluation Unit. This position reports to the Best Starts’ Public Health Evaluation lead.

Public Health-Seattle King County (PHSKC) is the metropolitan health department serving all of King County. The mission of PHSKC is to eliminate health inequities and maximize opportunities for every person to achieve optimal health. DCHS manages a wide range of programs and services to assist the county's most vulnerable residents. The department maintains a pro-equity focus aimed at developing the systems and standards necessary to achieve better outcomes for all county residents. DCHS and PHSKC jointly administer Best Starts through a cross-departmental approach.
 
This position is based in the Assessment, Policy Development, and Evaluation (APDE), Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention (CDIP), and Communities of Opportunity (COO) division of Public Health – Seattle and King County. APDE is a nationally recognized leader in community health assessment, providing health assessment data and analysis to inform planning, policies, and actions, and develop innovative interventions to improve the health of King County residents. More information about the work of the APDE unit can be found at http://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/data.aspx.  

 
As the only jurisdiction in the world named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.
 
We have a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from vulnerable communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.
 
Applicants should be committed to working with diverse populations throughout King County to provide excellent customer service to a broad range of cultures, in accordance with the King County Equity and Social Justice Ordinance and the King County Strategic Plan.
 
Who May Apply: 

This full-time  position is open to all qualified applicants.
  
Work Schedule: 

This position works Monday - Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The work associated with this position will be performed predominantly through teleworking complemented with onsite work and meetings as needed. Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities.  Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
 
Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection (access may be supplemented in some situations) where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. Please note that when an employee conducts work that is likely to bring them in contact with another individual, safety precautions are required, including the wearing of masks in some situations. King County is doing its part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and remains committed to reducing our carbon footprint.
   
King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment.  

Job Duties

  • Prepare and conduct analyses using large population health and program datasets to guide and support public health priorities and continuous quality improvement (e.g. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, Healthy Youth Survey, academic data, electronic health records, birth certificate, death certificate, hospitalization, Census, public health program data, etc.).
  • Co-design performance measurement and evaluation plans and implement evaluations with community and government partners, including identifying appropriate methods to answer analytic questions. 
  • Identify key findings, interpret results, and develop/maintain data visualizations that highlight meaningful data to inform strategic decision-making, continuous quality improvement, and evaluations.
  • Design and oversee data collection, including development and implementation of data collection instruments, analytic plans, database development and queries, training and technical assistance to program managers and community partners 
  • Prepare and share results in community settings to facilitate learning and continuous quality improvement. This may include presentations, reports, website, and data visualizations.
  • Disseminate results in a style suitable for a wide variety of audiences, including parents, youth, school staff and leadership, elected officials, research scientists, and funders.
  • Manage projects efficiently in an environment of shifting priorities with time and budget constraints, and with multiple stakeholders. 
  • Partner closely with APDE staff, King County program managers, community-based organizations, and other members of the performance measurement and evaluation team within the Department of Community and Human Services.
  • Perform other duties as assigned

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

  • Deep knowledge of equity and social justice principles and practices; lived experience with and understanding of the effect of place-, race- and policy & systems inequities on communities and populations.
  • Demonstrated knowledge and experience of practice-based public health practices and principles.
  • Demonstrated knowledge and experience in conducting population-based quantitative analyses using datasets, charts, maps, interactive visualizations, and databases.
  • Demonstrated experience in participatory evaluation of programs serving families, children, youth, and young adults in the community and school settings.
  • Demonstrated oral and written communication ability to write and present information in multiple formats for multiple audiences, including data, findings and conclusions into clear and concise reports, presentations, infographics, etc. for general and technical audiences. 
  • Demonstrated ability to successfully manage multiple projects requiring attention to detail and coordination of effort, working independently and as part of a team.
  • Demonstrated ability to work and successfully collaborate with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds to conduct analyses. 
  • Demonstrated skill in collaborating and maintaining effective working relationships with a variety of individuals, including community members, agency representatives, and partners. 
  • Skill and demonstrated proficiency in: Microsoft Office products (such as Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Teams); database creation and maintenance, project management, and software for quantitative analysis (such as Stata, R, SQL, Python, Tableau, Github and/or GIS packages). 
  • Valid Washington State Driver's License or the ability to travel around the county in a timely manner.
OR:
 
  • Any equivalent combination of experience and education that provides the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge, and ability required to perform the work.
Desired Qualifications

  • 5+ years of experience in conducting advanced statistical analyses using large, line-level quantitative public health datasets, such as Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, Healthy Youth Survey, health care claims/electronic health records, birth certificate, death certificate, hospitalization, Census/American Community Survey, education sector data, or public health program data.
  • 3+ years of experience manipulating, visualizing, and analyzing data using one or more sophisticated statistical software (e.g. SQL, Stata, R, Python, Tableau and/or GIS packages). 
  • 5+ years progressively responsible experience in practice-based evaluations (design, data collection, analysis, reporting), particularly evaluations of programs serving families, children, youth, and young adults.
  • Background and experience in public health informatics, epidemiology, biostatistics, health services, health economics, public policy or a closely related field.

Supplemental Information

Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers. 

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play. 
 
Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
 
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement:

King County Executive Branch employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are the successful candidate for the position you applied for, the County will send you a conditional offer letter.
 
 As a condition of employment, prior to a final offer of employment, you will be required to:
  • submit proof of vaccination, or
  • have an approved request for medical or religious exemption and an approved accommodation. Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation.

People are considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 two weeks after receiving the final dose of a vaccination approved by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
 
The Executive Branch includes employees in the Executive branch, the Assessor's Office, Elections, the King County Sheriff's Office, and the Executive Office.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
 
To Apply:

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.
 
Application process:

Applications will be reviewed after the job posting closes. The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:

  1. An electronic application through www.kingcounty.gov/jobs or www.governmentjobs.com (use the "Apply" link) including work history and position duties.
  2. Responses to supplemental questions.
  3. Professional references: please provide names and contact information (email and phone) for three references, including at least one supervisor and one community partner. We will request these in the Supplemental Questions.
  4. Resume OR Curriculum Vitae 
  5. Attach a cover letter detailing your background and describing how you meet or exceed the requirements. 
  6. Attach example(s) of your work from each of the categories below:
  • One technical report (or peer-reviewed article) you were lead author on
  • One evaluation product (e.g. evaluation plan, slide deck, etc.) you prepared
  • A figure or visual graphic you produced to share study findings with a general audience (e.g. PowerPoint, infographic, etc.) 
  • One or two example statistical programs you have written.  

Please do not copy and paste your entire resume, or copy and paste your entire job history, as your answers to the supplemental questions as these will be considered incomplete.
 
You may attach multiple documents if you wish:
 
  • Copy and paste one or more documents into the text resume section of the application.
  • Attach multiple documents/files in the resume attachment section.
 
Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the standard information in the application. Providing information only in a resume will not be considered a complete application.
 
Your application materials must validate your answers to the supplemental questions. If your answers cannot be validated, you will not proceed to the next steps of the process.
 
The selected candidate will be required to pass a thorough background investigation. In the event the job classification requires an exam; an offer of employment will be contingent on passing a pre-employment physical exam and must maintain security clearance.
 
Supplemental Information:
 
This selection process may include but is not limited to: evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, testing and interviewing. For more information on our selection process, please refer to http://www.kingcounty.gov/jobs/applying.aspx 
 
Public Health relies on office automation (Microsoft Office) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.
 
Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing their mandatory trainings on time and obtaining required immunizations.
 
Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.
 
Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
 
Staff may be required to play an active role in the event of a public health emergency, which may include changes in responsibilities and working hours.
 
If you need a disability accommodation in the application or testing process, please call the contact number listed on the job announcement.
 
Applicants from this job posting may be used to fill temporary or other positions in this classification for a period of up to a 6 months.
   
Union affiliation:

 Local 21
 
Contact:

For more information about the application process please contact Mark Lacy at Mlacy@kingcounty.gov. 

King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being.  Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
  • Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
  • Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
  • Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
  • 12 paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
  • Generous vacation and paid sick leave
  • Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
  • Flexible Spending Account
  • Wellness programs
  • Onsite gyms and activity centers
  • Employee giving program
  • Employee assistance programs
  • Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
  • Training and career development programs
For additional information about employee benefits please visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page.

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy.  If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.  Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
 
NOTE:  Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
 
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.

01
Please provide names and contact information (email and phone) for three professional references, including at least two supervisors. We will not contact these references without your permission.
02
In order for your application to be considered complete, you must attach the following: example(s) of your work from each of the categories below: • One technical report (or peer-reviewed article) you were lead author on • One evaluation product (e.g. evaluation plan, slide deck, etc.) you prepared • A figure or visual graphic you produced to share study findings with a general audience (e.g. PowerPoint, infographic, etc.) • One or two example statistical programs you have written. Please do not write new programs or modify existing programs. If you have concerns about sharing an example, please contact Human Resources above. The program can be in SAS, R, Stata; it should demonstrate your skills and experience in data cleaning, dataset merging, data manipulation (creating, recoding, applying formats), conducting analyses and creating output for reports/visualization/dissemination. Please certify that you have attached the required materials.
  • Yes - I attached the required materials
  • No - I did not attach the required materials
03
This position requires deep knowledge of equity and social justice principles and practices; lived experience with and understanding of the effects of place, race, and policy & systems-based inequities on communities of color. Please describe how you apply these principles to your daily work.
04
Which public health population datasets have you worked with and what is your level of familiarity with them? Please provide a list, and for each, a brief example of how you used it.
05
Please indicate Yes, No, or Not Applicable for each bullet below. Do you have demonstrated knowledge of and experience in: • Yes / No/ Not Applicable: Public health principles and practices • Yes / No/ Not Applicable: Public health reporting, information system standards, public health data • Yes / No/ Not Applicable: Data visualization tools • Yes / No/ Not Applicable: Evaluation of community-based programs serving children, youth, and young adults?
06
Please succinctly describe your knowledge in each of these areas checked in Question 5, the number of years of experience, how it was obtained, your responsibilities in these projects, and provide examples of how you've applied this knowledge.
07
Please describe your experience conducting epidemiological analysis, conclusions drawn, and how the data were prepared and presented. Include information about dissemination, the positions held where you gained this experience, and your specific responsibilities in these projects.
08
Please list the software and computer languages you have used to conduct analyses or develop visualizations. For each software/language you list, please specify the length of time you've used them, your level of expertise (novice, advanced beginner, competent, proficient, expert), and give one example of how you've used it.
09
Describe your experience acting as a liaison with community groups and institutions and convening or collaborating in community coalitions and partnerships. Be specific and include where this experience was gained. If you do not have this experience, please put N/A.
10
Are you applying to this position as an eligible Current or Previous King County Employee Priority Placement Program Participant AND Is this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff AND Do you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?
  • Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my role at King County AND I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. AND The position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
  • No.
11
If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided: 1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice 2. The department you worked in 3. The effective date of your layoff

Required Question

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