Epidemiologist

CDC Foundation•Phoenix, AZ

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The CDC Foundation is working with the CDC and state and local authorities to provide surge staff for surveillance, prevention, and response activities through the Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) Capacity Building Initiative. The Epidemiologist will be placed with the Arizona Department of Health Services in a hybrid role in Phoenix, Arizona, supporting implementation of OD2A objectives. The role conducts surveillance and epidemiologic activities, including helping partners collect and share drug overdose data; analyzing fatal and nonfatal overdose data to identify patterns and causes; implementing innovative surveillance projects; and communicating findings to support local prevention and response efforts. Data sources include SUDORS and death certificates for fatal overdoses, and DOSE, MEDSIS, and the Hospital Discharge Database for nonfatal overdoses. The position is scheduled to end September 29, 2027. The listed salary is $65,000, plus benefits. This is a dynamic public health program, and duties may change as priorities evolve with written approval from the CDC Foundation and Arizona Department of Health Services. Relocation expenses are not included.

Requirements

Master’s degree required, preferably in public health or a health-related field.
At least two years of experience leading analysis of both qualitative and quantitative data.
Proven ability to publish in peer-reviewed journals and present findings at conferences.
Proficiency in at least one statistical analysis software program and familiarity with SQL.
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities.
Strong written and oral communication skills.
Experience collaborating with diverse stakeholders, engaging in strategic partnerships, and working effectively with people across CDC and external partners.
Strong understanding of research and epidemiologic study design and implementation.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Experience working in a virtual environment with remote partners and teams.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Google Suite, Power BI, and Zoom.

Nice To Haves

SAS proficiency is preferred.

Responsibilities

Work with drug overdose surveillance teams at OD2A-funded health departments to refine epidemiologic surveillance data processing and evaluate overdose data sources, identifying gaps with a focus on stimulants and emerging drugs or adulterants.
Support innovative surveillance activities, such as developing automated population-spike detection algorithms using syndromic surveillance data to issue rapid alerts to healthcare facilities and public partners.
Maintain and refine public-facing dashboards and fulfill internal and external overdose data requests.
Help optimize reporting compliance and data completeness in MEDSIS, including validation of nonfatal opioid overdose data quality.
Develop summary and state-specific fact sheets, surveillance reports, and data visualizations using nonfatal and fatal overdose data, including stimulant trends.
Conduct literature reviews on drug overdose topics.
Present surveillance findings, data trends, and visualizations to internal and external partners to inform local prevention and response efforts.
Participate in discussions about effective use of OD2A data for action.
Serve, as assigned by the supervisor, as a point of contact for personnel regarding moderately complex epidemiologic issues.
Support development of policies and procedures for new and existing disease control programs.
Support risk communication by translating complex overdose surveillance data into clear, accurate, actionable messages for public health partners.
Collaborate with internal and external partners to strengthen overdose surveillance strategies, identify data gaps, and translate findings into prevention and response efforts.
Participate in drug-related public health emergencies if they arise.