Monthly Salary: $5,229-$6,364 (SENIOR – $5,490-$6,683)
Opening Date: February 22, 2023
–Open Until Filled-
Review Date: March 2, 2023

JOB SUMMARY
(Full position description available at Human Resources, contact info below).

The role of the Public Health Epidemiologist is to gain an extensive knowledge of public health issues through data gathering and analysis. The goal of the Public Health Epidemiologist is to help present data to public health leadership and the general public to inform decision making processes for disease mitigation and intervention development. Epidemiologists are public health professionals who investigate patterns and causes of disease and injury in humans. They seek to reduce the risk and occurrence of negative health outcomes through research, community education and health policy.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
(any one position may not include all for the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all tasks which may be found in positions in the class).

  • Recognize public health problems pertinent to the population,
  • Recognize the existence of a public health problem, collaborate with others inside and outside the agency to identify the problem,
  • Conduct surveillance data needs, Implement/improve new or existing surveillance systems,
  • Interpret and report key findings from the surveillance system
  • Support evaluation of surveillance systems, identify acute and chronic conditions or other adverse outcomes in the population,
  • Assist in conducting a community health status assessment,
  • Characterize investigative processes,
  • Create hypotheses,
  • Assist in design of investigation (e.g., disease investigations, studies, or screening programs),
  • Conduct investigations as directed,
  • Apply principles of good ethical/legal practice as they relate to study design and data collection, dissemination and use,
  • Follow ethics guidelines and principles when planning studies; conducting research; and collecting, disseminating, and using data,
  • Apply relevant laws to data collection, management, dissemination and use of data and information,
  • Describe human subjects’ research,
  • Apply Institutional Review Board processes as directed, bring potential conflicts of interest to attention of senior epidemiologists, apply knowledge of privacy laws to protect confidentiality, including Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and applicable state and local privacy laws,
  • Know agency procedures for handling Freedom of Information Actrequests,
  • Bring potential violations of ethical principles in preparing and submitting publications to the attention of senior epidemiologists,
  • Organize data from surveillance, investigations, or other sources,
  • Assist in definition of database requirements, if indicated,
  • Maintain databases, Analyze data from an epidemiologic investigation or study,
  • Use analysis plan for data, Conduct analysis of data,
  • Summarize results of the analysis, and draw conclusions,
  • Identify key findings from the study,
  • Assist in developing recommended evidence-based intervention and control measures in response to epidemiologic findings,
  • Define cultural/social/political framework for recommended interventions,
  • Assist in evaluation of programs,
  • Collect surveillance and other data for use in tracking program objectives and outcomes,
  • Assist in tracking progress toward program objectives and outcomes,
  • Communicate information about progress toward program objectives and outcomes to program managers,
  • Know how causes of disease affect epidemiological practice,
  • Identify the role of laboratory resources in epidemiological activities,
  • Use identified informatics tools in support of epidemiological practice,

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Newly graduated Master’s degree with minimal experience but from a Master’s program with a focus on epidemiology and/or analysis on assessment; or Bachelor’s or other non-epidemiology professional degree or certification (e.g., RN, MD/DO, DDS/DMD, DVM, PhD, RS) without formal academic epidemiology training and with at least 2 years’ experience performing epidemiology work under the guidance of a Tier 2 epidemiologist. (Guidance can be received from an epidemiologist in the same agency or in other organizations.)

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION Epidemiologist – Entry-level position within Public Health. Master’s Degree required in Public Health, Epidemiology or a closely related field.

Senior Epidemiologist – Senior level position based on level of experience and the ability to work independently. Master’s Degree required and has two or more years of public health experience in one or more programs.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS
Applicants are required to submit a Mason County Application to the Human Resources Department. The completed application may include additional pages of employment history using the application format, and a resume may be attached. The completed application will be used as the primary document to determine if minimum qualifications are met for this recruitment. Misrepresentation, incomplete, or inaccurate entries may be the cause of application rejection, removal from the employment list, or discharge from county service. Applicants will be screened based upon education and experience, and the top candidates will be scheduled for interviews. Selection factors will include demonstrated knowledge and abilities for the particular position. Only those candidates chosen for interviews will receive notice of the final selection decision. Please read the reverse side for additional information. This selection process may be subject to change.

Application Instructions
Carefully read the posting and note the minimum qualifications and the selection process. Please indicate all relevant education and experience on the application. A County application is always required and is utilized as the primary document to determine if the applicant meets the minimum qualifications. Resumes can be included as a supplement but cannot be used in lieu of completing the application. Applications must be entirely completed, and “see resume” will not be acceptable. Applicants applying for more than one position must complete a separate application for each position. Applications must be signed and dated, and returned to the Human Resources Department on or before the closing date.

Completed applications should be submitted via regular mail to: Mason County Human Resources, 411 North Fifth Street, Shelton, WA 98584, Dropped off at our Human Resources Building #9 – 423 N 5th Street, Shelton, WA 98584, E-mailed: humanresources@masoncountywa.gov or faxed to 360-427-8439. Mailed applications must be postmarked no later than the closing date. Applicants should keep a copy of their completed application and any supplemental pages.

Applicant Qualifications – All candidates must meet minimum requirements. Often, the most competitive applicants will possess qualifications far exceeding the required minimum. If a large number of applications are received, only the most qualified applicants will be involved in the selection process.

Authorization to Work – Successful candidates must present documentation proving authorization to work in the United States (as required by federal law).

Work Environment – Mason County maintains a drug-free work environment and prohibits smoking in all County buildings. “At-will” Positions – Some positions are considered “at-will” or at the pleasure of the employer. Therefore, the County does not need to establish “just cause” or “cause” to terminate the employment relationship. Selection to at-will position does not create or constitute an employment contract or agreement.

Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity – Mason County is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fair employment practices and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic information, veteran’s status, disability, or any other bias prohibited by federal, state or local law.

Accommodation – Applicants with a disability requiring accommodation during the selection process should notify the Human Resources Department at (360) 427-9670 Ext. 290.

Health Insurance – Regular full-time employees and their qualifying dependents are eligible for medical, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage. Some regular part-time employees may receive the same coverage. Employees may partially contribute premiums depending upon the type of coverage selected.

Paid Leave – Sick leave, holidays, and vacation are provided in accordance with the County policy or union contracts. Vacation accrual rates increase at regular intervals based on length of service with the County.

Retirement Plan – All regular Mason County employees are enrolled in the Washington State Public Employee’s Retirement System (PERS, PSERS or LEOFF). The County and employees contribute jointly to the plans.