Sexual Health and Youth Development Epidemiologist

The Office of Statistics and Evaluation within the Bureau of Community Health and Prevention (BCHAP) at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), is seeking a talented and motivated Epidemiologist to oversee evaluation and surveillance efforts for the Office of Adolescent Health and Youth Development (AHYD) and the Sexual & Reproductive Health Program (SRHP). The selected candidate will conduct data collection and analysis, program and policy evaluation, develop data visualization and dissemination products for diverse audiences, and work closely with program staff on data translation and application. The epidemiologist will collaborate with youth development, young parent, and sexual and reproductive health programs and other epidemiologists in the Bureau to support cross-cutting work and initiatives. The BCHAP team acknowledges the history of structural racism and its impact on health and is committed to improving the quality of life for all Commonwealth residents while working toward eliminating health inequities that threaten the lives of communities of color. The incumbent will work to incorporate this approach across their work. _Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all-inclusive):_ * Partners closely with other program epidemiologists and program staff to develop specific frameworks, logic models and methods for conducting both process and impact evaluations of programs and interventions. * Assists in the design and implementation of data collection instruments including surveys and databases. * Conducts training for and collaborate with funded community-based and clinical partners on evaluation data collection and analysis. * Leads literature searches to ensure that programs and interventions are evidence-based and data-driven. * Conducts computer-based data analysis using the following software: SAS, Excel, and ArcGIS. * Tracks, analyzes, and reports performance measures and indicators. * Analyzes statewide, national, and program data sources to identify and track prevalence of health factors and social determinants of health that influence adolescent health and sexual and reproductive health outcomes in Massachusetts residents. * Provides data, technical assistance, and presents findings to both internal staff and external stakeholders on relevant surveillance and program data. * Develops reports, fact sheets, abstracts, peer-reviewed publications and presentations of programmatic findings. * Supervises and mentors staff (Epidemiologist I). * Oversees evaluation reports and annual performance reports for federal grants and state funding. * Applies an equity lens to program evaluation, including assessing adequacy of data sources and performing analyses to measure impact of DPH activities on equity. * Utilizes data to inform health equity approaches in programming, and educate and inform key stakeholders, including the public, on these issues. * Collaborates with other epidemiologists and program staff to analyze, present, and contextualize data highlighting health inequities to deepen program understanding of root causes. *Required Qualifications:* * Knowledge of the principles and practices of epidemiology. * Keen knowledge of the methods of statistical and scientific report writing. * Ability to establish rapport and deal tactfully with others. * Awareness of epidemiologic research methods and techniques. * Capability to utilize computers and applications such as statistical, word processing, and spreadsheet software. * Skilled to manage databases, construct data files, conduct and support data entry, and perform data edits/cleaning as needed. _Preferred Qualifications:_ * Master of Public Health or equivalent training in a health-related field with emphasis on epidemiology or biostatistics. * Understanding of the social determinants of health and health equity to address health concerns across disciplines. * Experience conducting research or evaluation on sexual and reproductive health, youth development, adolescent health, young parent programs, health inequities, and/or other related content areas. * Experience supervising and mentoring staff. * Strong background in public health program evaluation and survey research methodology in an applied setting. * Experience in successful federal grant writing and reporting. * Experience in design of multi-year, multi-component evaluation frameworks, including the selection of appropriate study designs, indicators, data collection tools, and analytic approaches. * Experience in qualitative research methods (e.g. conducting focus groups, structured key informant interviews) and conducting qualitative analysis. * Proficient in the use of diverse large datasets including survey, administrative, EMR, and others. * Proficient in online survey and database data collection and management using REDCap and other platforms. * Experience using data visualization and mapping softwares (e.g. Tableau, ArcGIS, PowerBI, etc). * Knowledge of current research, policies, programs and evaluation in the fields of sexual and reproductive health and adolescent health/youth development. * Familiarity of epidemiologic trends, emerging issues, and key challenges around sexual and reproductive health and adolescent health/youth development specific to Massachusetts. * Have a willingness to learn new datasets, software or statistical skills (e.g. administrative datasets, propensity scoring, principal component analysis, cost-effectiveness modeling, etc). * Proficiency using statistical analysis software, such as SAS or R, as well as Microsoft Programs including Access, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word. _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- ***** Ext. #2. _ *First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.* *Minimum Entrance Requirements:* 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! Executive Order #595: As a condition of employment, successful applicants will be required to have received COVID-19 vaccination or an approved exemption as of their start date. Details relating to demonstrating compliance with this requirement will be provided to applicants selected for employment. Applicants who receive an offer of employment who can provide documentation that the vaccine is medically contraindicated or who object to vaccination due to a sincerely held religious belief may make a request for exemption. 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. Job: Science* *Organization: Department of Public Health *Title: *Sexual Health and Youth Development Epidemiologist Location: Massachusetts-Boston-250 Washington Street Requisition ID: 230001CZ