• Job Description

  Req#: NATIO005222

  SUMMARY

  The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Division of Communicable Disease Control (DCDC) and Heluna Health are recruiting for a National Wastewater Surveillance System Coordinator / Epidemiologist for the CDPH Wastewater Surveillance program. This is a position supported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) cooperative agreement.

  This position will serve as the CDPH liaison for the National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS), a national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) program. The CDC NWSS program coordinates and builds the nation’s surveillance system by collating and analyzing wastewater data from states around the nation as an adjunct epidemiologic public health surveillance tool. Wastewater, or sewage, can be tested for RNA from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, along with other infectious disease pathogens to augment existing surveillance data to inform epidemiologic and public health needs.

  This position’s responsibilities include serving as CDPH’s NWSS coordinator, and as a wastewater surveillance epidemiologist, collaborating with a multidisciplinary CDPH team, the CDC, wastewater utilities and sanitation agencies, public health and non-public health testing laboratories, local health departments, and other partners (e.g., academia, state partners). The NWSS Coordinator / Epidemiologist will be responsible for ensuring standardized data collection and reporting of wastewater data to CDPH and CDC. The NWSS Coordinator/ Epidemiologist will also be responsible for organizing, facilitating, and presenting at regular external and internal stakeholder and working group meetings. The NWSS Coordinator/Epidemiologist will also support coordination and planning of an annual California state wastewater surveillance conference and other similar events.

  This position will also work with the CDPH wastewater surveillance and other teams to summarize and report wastewater surveillance results to inform epidemiologic and programmatic decisions related to infectious disease prevention and public health response. Currently monitored infectious diseases include but are not limited to COVID-19, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), mpox, and norovirus. Required data analysis, reporting, and visualization activities include using statistical software to compare existing state infectious disease data sources with wastewater data to better understand trends and burden of disease. As needed, this position will also support other projects including, but not limited to, enhanced surveillance projects, conference support and logistics, and surge efforts.

  Applicants must submit a cover letter and resume to be considered.

  This position is a fully remote working position. Occasional in-person travel for conferences and meetings is expected and covered.

  Must be able to work flexible hours that may include occasional holidays and weekends.

  The salary range for this position is $85,000 to $95,000 annually depending on experience/ qualifications.

  If hired for this position, you will be required to provide proof that you are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to your start date or have a valid religious or medical reason qualifying you for an exemption (that may or may not require an accommodation).

  ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  • Coordinate and maintain partnerships with CDC, state and local public health departments, laboratories, sanitation agencies, water boards and other partners (e.g., academia).
  • Serve as the liaison between the CDC NWSS, CDPH Wastewater Surveillance team, and participating wastewater utilities.
  • Plan, participate, and present in regular conference calls with CDC, Local Health Officers, State Water Board, Sanitation Agencies, and other partners.
  • Review and assist in interpretation of wastewater surveillance data to inform epidemiologic and programmatic public health decisions related to COVID-19, influenza, mpox, and other infectious diseases.
  • Manage and maintain interdisciplinary stakeholder workgroups and meetings that include members from state and local public health, wastewater utility and sanitation agencies, and laboratories.
  • Support the management and improvement of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for wastewater data management and reporting methods.
  • Maintain and streamline wastewater data submission to the CDC National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS).
  • Ensure data submitted meets NWSS data standards and ensure quality control of submitted data.
  • Support team in epidemiologic data analysis, report development, and visualizations of wastewater surveillance data including creation of online dashboards, as appropriate.
  • Link large datasets to other sources of data; manage spatial datasets and perform basic spatial analyses.
  • Collate and manage spatial data for sewershed service boundaries, including digitizing flat maps to create shapefiles.
  • Contribute intellectually to the design and implementation of wastewater surveillance to inform the public health responses for various infectious diseases of public health importance
  • Present on conference calls with partners, at meetings and scientific conferences.
  • Assist in the creation of communication materials.
  • Provide support in the planning and promotion of conferences and meetings for wastewater surveillance for public health.
  • Collaborate effectively in a team environment.
  • Conduct critical literature review of environmental and wastewater surveillance studies.
  • Collaborate with a data team dedicated to this project.
  • Perform other duties as directed by leadership.

  JOB QUALIFICATIONS

  • Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with public health and healthcare professionals and internal partners.
  • Understanding of the fundamentals and principles of epidemiology, biostatistics, geographic information systems (GIS), public health, and data visualization.
  • Ability to perform data entry, clean data, and assess and ensure data quality with attention to detail.
  • Ability to perform statistical and spatial data manipulation, cleaning and analyses.
  • Knowledge and application of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirements and protection of health information.
  • High level analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Familiarity with environmental surveillance techniques preferred.
  • Completes assignments in a timely and efficient manner.
  • Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks, and work independently.
  • Demonstrate reliability and integrity.
  • Fluency in spoken English is required.

  Education/Experience

  • Master’s degree in public health or related field, or equivalent work experience (e.g., 2 or more years in public or environmental health) required.
  • Experience in data entry, management, cleaning and analyzing data.
  • Basic knowledge of GIS software such as ArcGIS or QGIS required.
  • Experience in coordinating complex projects.
  • Experience in leading presentations and coordinating meetings is required.
  • Experience in reporting and visualization of public health or epidemiologic data.
  • Basic knowledge and experience with statistical software including R programming strongly preferred.
  • Familiarity with environmental surveillance techniques preferred.

  Certificates/Licenses/Clearances

  • None

  Other Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Knowledge of and skilled in the use of Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, and Power Point

  PHYSICAL DEMANDS

  • Stand: Frequently
  • Walk: Frequently
  • Sit: Frequently
  • Handling / Fingering: Frequently
  • Reach Outward: Occasionally
  • Reach Above Shoulder: Occasionally
  • Climb, Crawl, Kneel, Bend: Occasionally
  • Lift / Carry: Occasionally - Up to 50 lbs
  • Push/Pull: Occasionally - Up to 50 lbs
  • See (Vision): Constantly
  • Taste/ Smell: Not Applicable

  KEY

  • Constantly = (5+ hrs/day)
  • Frequently = (2+ - 5 hrs/day)
  • Occasionally = (0 - 2 hrs/day)
  • Not Applicable = Not required for essential functions

  WORK ENVIRONMENT

  • Remote
  • Occasional attendance in person for meetings and conferences may be required.

  EEOC STATEMENT

  It is the policy of Heluna Health to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

  Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

  The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

• About the company

  We can transform population health through effective community partnerships and innovation. We believe in together. Contact us to learn more.

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