Job Description

　　The Massachusetts Department of Public Health's (DPH) Office of Population Health (OPH) is seeking an Epidemiologist to provide a complex level of data analysis, data coordination, project management, and technical support for the Special Analytic Projects (SAP) Unit. The SAP Epidemiologist will focus on data related to gambling and its impact on health and will be leading analyses in support of the Office of Problem Gambling Services. The Epidemiologist will also consult with the Population Health Information Tool (PHIT) team in OPH related to visualization of these data. The SAP Epidemiologist will familiarize themselves with the Public Health Data Warehouse (PHD), a linked data set used to study priority population health trends impacting morbidity and mortality in the Commonwealth and will be responsible for leading analyses related to problem gambling within the PHD.

　　Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and are not all inclusive):

　　Develops and documents SAS programs used for cleaning and analyzing the data and create templates for reproducibility. Analyzes data and tracks trends, data relationships, and impact on health outcomes to inform policy. Works to conduct analyses to produce ad hoc reports on gambling, problem gambling, and attitudes, preferences, and behaviors related to gambling.Coordinates gambling data dissemination by working on reports, data requests, presentations, and other activities as required.Conducts supplementary research and review of journals, health bulletins, and other publications as necessary to stay informed of current trends, new data, and other relevant topics.Draws sound conclusions and make appropriate recommendations based on data analysis.Creates and updates data dictionaries to support the development of Data Use and other legal agreements.Cleans and recodes data as needed to create final analytic datasets. Analyzes overall linkage statistics.Moves datasets from PC to server.Provides epidemiologic and statistical support, to the internal and external analysts.Attends meetings and performs other duties related to epidemiological analysis as requested.

　　Required Qualifications:

　　Understanding of the principles and practices of epidemiology, including epidemiologic research methods and techniques. Knowledge of the methods of statistical and scientific report writing.Able to prepare and use charts and diagrams. Ability to maintain accurate records.Able to establish rapport, deal tactfully, and maintain harmonious working relationships with others.Capable to exercise sound judgment.Capacity to design analysis plans, collect and manage epidemiological data, conduct statistical analyses, and interpret findings.Knowledge of methods of statistical report writing and statistical software programming.Ability to conduct cross-sectional, longitudinal, and multivariate analyses.Proficiency in SAS with an emphasis on data step and/or SQL programming.

　　Preferred Qualifications:

　　Extensive experience in data analysis using SAS and in applying analysis and research to policy development in public health.Subject matter knowledge in gambling Knowledge of data quality methods.Experience working with large, complex data sets.Knowledge of techniques for data linkage.Experience with Excel.Experience working with health-related and gambling datasets.Ability to write effective technical reports for medical, scientific, and lay audiences.Extensive experience surveillance and research in public health.

　　About the Department of Public Health:

　　The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to prevent illness, injury, and premature death, to assure access to high quality public health and health care services, and to promote wellness and health equity for all people in the Commonwealth.

　　We envision a Commonwealth in which all people enjoy optimal health. Massachusetts ranks among the healthiest of states according to comparative analyses, but we face numerous challenges, including chronic and infectious disease, substance abuse, violence, preventable hospitalizations, and health disparities.

　　DPH coordinates programs and policies to address specific diseases and conditions and offer services to address the needs of vulnerable populations. We also develop, implement, promote, and enforce regulations and policies to assure that the conditions under which people live are most conducive to health and enable people to make healthy choices for themselves and their families. We license health professionals, healthcare facilities and a variety of businesses that impact public health. We operate the state laboratory and four public health hospitals. We monitor health status and manage vital records including births, marriages and deaths. We educate people about public health issues and work closely with local boards of health and community partners to identify and solve public health problems.

　　More information can be found at:MA Department of Public Health

　　Pre-Hire Process:

　　A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

　　Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.

　　Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

　　If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form

　　For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800- 510-4122 Ext. #4

　　Qualifications

　　First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

　　Applicants must have at least (A) five (5) years of full-time or equivalent part-time professional or technical experience in epidemiology, biology, biostatistics, toxicology, environmental science, environmental health, ecology, public health, chemistry, virology, immunology, bacteriology, microbiology, or statistics and (B) of which at least two (2) years must have been in a professional capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions listed below.

　　Substitutions:

　　I. A Bachelor's degree with a major in epidemiology, biology, biostatistics, toxicology, environmental science, environmental health, ecology, public health, chemistry, virology, immunology, bacteriology, microbiology, statistics, or other health-related field may be substituted for a maximum of two (2) years of the required (A) experience.

　　II. A Master's degree or higher with a major in epidemiology, biology, biostatistics, toxicology, environmental science, environmental health, ecology, public health, chemistry, virology, immunology, bacteriology, microbiology, statistics, or other health-related field may be substituted for a maximum of three (3) years of the required (A) experience and one (1) year of the required (B) experience.

　　*Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

　　NOTE: Educational substitution will only be permitted for a maximum of one (1) year of the (B) experience.

　　Comprehensive Benefits

　　When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

　　Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

　　COVID Vaccine: As a condition of employment, depending on job assignment and location, employees may be required to have received COVID-19 vaccination and/or other vaccinations, or to have been approved for a vaccination exemption prior to their start date. Details relating to demonstrating compliance with this requirement will be provided to applicants selected for employment.

　　An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

　　The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.