Environmental Public Health Tracking Epidemiologist

This epidemiologist will support the Environmental Public Health Tracking (EPHT) unit of the Environmental Epidemiology Program in the Bureau of Climate and Environmental Health (BCEH).This epidemiologist will collect, analyze, interpret, and summarize environmental and health outcome data, including inequitable health impacts from climate change.

Datasets include, but are not limited to hospitalizations (asthma, COPD, heat stress, heart attack, CO poisoning); reproductive outcomes such as low birth weight; and environmental contaminants such as residential radon, water and air pollutants, and other emerging environmental contaminants.

This position will support the Bureau’s Environmental Justice Tool and associated vulnerable health Environmental Justice (EJ) indicators. This position may be asked to respond to resident concerns, particularly those with climate and EJ related topics.

Responsibilities will include preparation of draft letters and reports regarding disease patterns and potential exposures to environmental contaminants; epidemiological literature review; triage of calls from the public and local officials about suspected disease clusters; and presentation of environmental health information to the public.

Submission of a cover letter describing your interest in the position is recommended.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and are not all inclusive):

• Collects, analyzes, interprets, and summarizes health and environmental data related to EPHT or other DPH activities.
• Reviews the methods for the collection and quality of climate, health, and environmental data to assess completeness and accuracy.
• Participates in national CDC content work groups and communicates pertinent information of ongoing and future activities to the EPHT team.
• Analyzes collected data using the appropriate statistical methods, summarizes results, and disseminates information as directed.
• Analyzes and determines the applicability of epidemiologic data, to draw conclusions, and make appropriate recommendations.
• Communicates with the public about disease rates and patterns, potential exposure opportunities, environmental contaminants, and environmental health principles.
• Prepares draft content and messaging for the MA EPHT website.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Maintains confidential records in accordance with state privacy laws and department regulations.
• Reviews professional journals, health bulletins, and other publications to keep informed of current trends and new data in the fields of exposure assessment and environmental health.
• Reviews, assembles, and maintains up-to-date literature files on the epidemiology of selected chronic and environmentally related diseases. Determines proper format and procedure for assembling information.
• Collaborates with staff from other programs and Bureaus, such as the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics and the Massachusetts Cancer Registry, to support bureau and department objectives.
• Attends day or evening meetings within Massachusetts communities, if needed.
• Prepares health data for submission and upload to the state and national EPHT websites and conducts quality assurance for accuracy and appropriate data suppression.

Required Qualifications:

• Ability to exercise sound judgment.
• Ability to calculate age-adjusted, crude, age, and sex-specific rates of disease or exposure.
• Able to prepare and use charts and diagrams.
• Knowledge of the methods of statistical and scientific report writing.
• Capable to analyze and determine the applicability of epidemiologic and demographic data to draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.
• Knowledge of the principles of environmental epidemiology and environmental health.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of epidemiology.
• Understanding of the principles of biology and disease processes.
• Capability to utilize computers and applications such as statistical, word processing, and spreadsheet software.
• Capacity to maintain accurate records.
• Mastery of the principles of environmental epidemiology and environmental health.
• Able to oversee databases, construct data files, and perform data cleaning and quality assurance/quality control as needed.
• Capable to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with others.
• Ability to establish rapport and deal tactfully with others.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in monitoring, evaluating, and responding to the public health risks of exposure to microbial, chemical, radiation, and climate-related human health hazards.
• Prior experience evaluating climate impacts on environmental hazards.
• Previous experience evaluating climate impacts on health outcomes.
• Previous analytical experience in environmental justice or health equity.

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- 510-4122 Ext. #2

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!

COVID Vaccine: As a condition of employment, depending on job assignment and location, employees may be required to have received COVID-19 vaccination and/or other vaccinations, or to have been approved for a vaccination exemption prior to their start date. Details relating to demonstrating compliance with this requirement will be provided to applicants selected for employment.