Drug Overdose Epidemiology Investigator 3 (PN 20013704)

State of Ohio • Columbus, OH

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Ohio Department of Health’s Bureau of Health Improvement and Wellness is seeking an Epidemiology Investigator 3 for its Violence & Injury Prevention section. The Drug Overdose Epidemiology Investigator leads complex epidemiological research, data analysis, and surveillance in support of statewide drug overdose prevention initiatives. The role serves as a senior technical expert and lead worker for lower-level epidemiology staff.

The position conducts research and statistical analyses involving drug overdoses, injuries, and related health conditions; coordinates data quality and management; and develops reports, fact sheets, presentations, dashboards, maps, and other data products. It also supports trend prediction and program evaluation, disseminates drug-anomaly Epi Alerts, provides technical assistance to local surveillance epidemiologists, and trains junior staff. The role uses state and national health databases and analytical and visualization tools.

This is a permanent, full-time, hourly classified position. Normal working hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The listed starting pay is $34.53 per hour at Pay Grade 33, Step 1, with an opportunity for an increase to $36.20 per hour after six months of satisfactory performance and yearly raises thereafter. The position is based at 246 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio. The selected candidate must undergo a criminal background check and provide their own transportation.

Requirements

• Completion of a graduate core program in public health or preventive medicine; or six months of experience as an Epidemiology Investigator 2; or equivalent minimum class qualifications.
• Three courses or nine months of experience using statistical computer software packages, unless qualifying through the Epidemiology Investigator 2 alternative.
• Six months of experience as an epidemiology investigator with a local or federal health agency, unless qualifying through the Epidemiology Investigator 2 alternative.
• Must be able to provide own transportation.
• Applications must clearly state how the applicant meets the minimum qualifications and/or position-specific minimum qualifications.
• Experience collecting, analyzing, and interpreting statistical analysis of injury-related health data is evaluated.
• Experience managing and analyzing large datasets is evaluated.
• Experience developing public health surveillance reports is evaluated.
• Experience preparing and delivering presentations or trainings is evaluated.
• Experience designing and conducting studies, projects, and/or surveys to investigate health and injury issues is evaluated.
• Experience with database and analytic software packages, such as Excel, ArcGIS, SAS, or R, is evaluated.
• Experience with word processing and presentation software, such as Word and PowerPoint, is evaluated.

Nice To Haves

• Graduate or advanced degree in public health or preventive medicine.
• Coursework in epidemiology, biostatistics, health statistics, data analysis, or mathematics; undergraduate coursework earns one point per course and graduate coursework earns three points per course, up to ten points.
• Experience or training developing data visualizations and dashboards using visual analytics software such as Tableau.

Responsibilities

• Initiate, design, and conduct epidemiological and statistical research related to drug overdoses, injuries, and related health conditions.
• Lead analytic work using multiple datasets, including Ohio vital statistics, emergency department and hospital discharge data, syndromic surveillance systems, OH-VDRS, and OARRS.
• Coordinate data management quality control and design instruments, procedures, and methods for data collection, storage, and analysis.
• Produce reports, fact sheets, presentations, dashboards, maps, and other data products related to injury and drug overdose prevention.
• Conduct analyses to predict morbidity and mortality trends and assist program staff in evaluating prevention programs.
• Summarize and disseminate Epi Alerts for drug anomalies to state partners and provide technical assistance to local surveillance epidemiologists.
• Lead and train lower-level epidemiology investigators and support staff.
• Use national and state databases, including CDC WONDER, WISQARS, Vital Statistics, OARRS, OH-VDRS, and EpiCenter, to generate surveillance and reporting data.
• Coordinate electronic data transfers, write statistical programs such as SAS, and develop dashboards using tools such as Excel, Tableau, ArcGIS, and PowerPoint.

Benefits

• Medical coverage.
• Free dental, vision, and basic life insurance premiums after completion of the eligibility period.
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal leave, sick leave, and 11 paid holidays per year.
• Childbirth, adoption, and foster care leave.
• Education and development opportunities, including employee development funds and Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• Public retirement systems, including OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS, and optional Ohio Deferred Compensation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior