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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
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POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
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Position Number: 50491213 |
Description Activated On: 6/12/2026 3:36:03 PM |
Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively. This position, in the Bureau of Epidemiology, Division of Community Epidemiology, supports the Office of Drug Surveillance and Misuse Prevention (ODSMP) and leads evaluation of overdose prevention programing through development of appropriate evaluation tools, implementation of these tools, analysis of data, and utilization of findings to improve prevention programming. The Epidemiologist also supports ODSMP’s mission through program activities including data collection and analysis of PDMP data and fatal and nonfatal overdose surveillance data, as well as data linking activities. |
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Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor. Leads overdose prevention evaluation work by working with the Epidemiologist Supervisor, Office Director, Prevention staff, and CDC to develop appropriate evaluation tools mainly using Qualtrics, implement these tools, analyze data, create reports, and aid in utilizing findings to improve prevention programming. In collaboration with Epidemiologist Supervisor and other team members, analyzes data using data manipulation and analytic software like SAS/SPSS/Python/R to generate reports to meet the general program requirements. In collaboration with Epidemiologist Supervisor and other team members, designs and conducts epidemiological research studies in response to trends in controlled substance prescribing practices, controlled substance use, and drug overdose. Presents, publishes, and reports epidemiologic findings and professional experiences via professional journals, national and regional conferences, and other means as appropriate, including the ODSMP Interactive Data Reports utilizing Tableau, to disseminate information and advance scientific knowledge. Participate in workgroups, conference calls, conferences, etc. to build awareness of Pennsylvania and national PDMP/overdose epidemiology programs and contribute to the public health infrastructure. In collaboration with Epidemiologist Supervisor and other team members, provides oversight and direction to a contracted Program Specialist who performs data abstraction for fatal overdose surveillance efforts. In collaboration with Epidemiologist Supervisor and other team members, designs and conducts population level assessments on overdose and PDMP data and analyzes data using data manipulation and analytic software like SAS/SPSS/Python/R to generate reports and/or public education materials to meet the general program requirements. In collaboration with Epidemiologist Supervisor and other team members, prepare grant applications and grant reporting metrics by presenting statistical data, project description narratives, work plans, and accomplishments per funding opportunity announcement. Performs administrative functions for the ODSMP and overdose surveillance programs, and other epidemiology or public health programs as assigned. Provides input into the development of statewide plans, policies and procedures for the collection and analysis of PDMP and overdose data, as well as related risk factor data. In collaboration with the Epidemiologist Supervisor, provides consultation to the Department, other state agencies, municipal, county and local health departments, public and private health organizations, the medical community, and the public on the epidemiology of controlled substance use/misuse topics. In collaboration with the Epidemiologist Supervisor, develops and presents information on overdose and controlled substance use/misuse via webinars, written publications, and presentations. Assists with response to enquiries from elected officials, public, schools, reporters, etc., on controlled substance prescribing and overdose related issues. Other duties as assigned. Work requires occasional statewide and out-of-state travel and irregular/flexible work hours including overnights, weekends and holidays in accordance with policy. Employee may travel using public transportation, private transportation or carpooling with other team members as assigned. Public Health Emergency Response This position may be assigned to an emergency assignment to support the public health emergency response mission of the Department of Health. Emergency assignments could at times be received with little or no advance notice and may continue for any period of time – ranging from a few hours to several weeks, depending upon the nature of the circumstance. The emergency assignments may at times be performed under adverse conditions and may require travel to another site other than the employee’s assigned headquarters for periods of time. Competencies and tasks: From the CDC/CSTE Competencies for Applied Epidemiologists in Governmental Public Health Agencies. Assessment and Analysis Skills - Identify public health issues pertinent to the population - Conduct surveillance activities - Investigate acute and chronic conditions or other adverse outcomes in the population - Apply principles of good ethical/legal practice as they relate to study design and data collection, dissemination, and use - Manage data from surveillance, investigations, or other sources - Analyze data from an epidemiologic investigation or study - Summarize results of the analysis and draw conclusions - Recommend evidence-based interventions and control measures in response to epidemiologic findings - Evaluate programs Basic Public Health Sciences Skills - Use current knowledge of causes of disease to guide epidemiologic practice - Use laboratory resources to support epidemiologic activities - Apply principles of informatics, including data collection, processing, and analysis, in support of epidemiologic practice Communication Skills - Prepare written and oral reports and presentations that communicate necessary information to professional audiences, policy makers, and the general public - Demonstrate the basic principles of risk communication - Incorporate interpersonal skills in communication with agency personnel, colleagues, and the public - Use effective communication strategies Community Dimensions of Practice - Provide epidemiologic input into epidemiologic studies, public health programs, and community public health planning processes at the state, local, or tribal level - Participate in development of community partnerships to support epidemiologic investigations Cultural Competency - Describe population by race; ethnicity; culture; societal, educational, and professional backgrounds; age; gender; religion; disability; and sexual orientation - Establish relationships with groups of special concern (e.g., disadvantaged or minority groups, groups subject to health disparities, historically underrepresented groups) - Design surveillance systems to include groups subject to health disparities or other potentially underrepresented groups (using standard categories where available) - Conduct investigations using languages and approaches tailored to the population - Use standard population categories or subcategories when performing data analysis - Use knowledge of specific sociocultural factors in the population to interpret findings - Recommend public health actions that would be relevant to the affected community Financial and Operational Planning and Management Skills - Conduct epidemiological activities within the financial and operational plan of the agency - Assist in developing a fiscally sound budget that will support the activities defined in the operational plan and is consistent with the financial rules of the agency - Implement operational and financial plans - Assist in preparation of proposals for extramural funding - Use management skills - Use skills that foster collaborations, strong partnerships, and team building to accomplish epidemiology program objectives Leadership and Systems Thinking - Support the epidemiologic perspective in the agency strategic planning process - Promote the organization’s vision in all programs and activities - Use performance measures to evaluate and improve epidemiology program effectiveness - Promote ethical conduct in epidemiologic practice - Promote workforce development - Prepare for emergency response Technology Skills - Maintain office calendar and email communications using Microsoft Office/Outlook. - Prepare and synthesize surveillance data using appropriate spreadsheet application such as Excel. - Prepare correspondence and epidemiological reports using Microsoft Word. - Prepare presentations using presentation software such as Microsoft PowerPoint. - Use SAS, SPSS and other statistical programs to organize, analyze and report on data - Access data in commonwealth or DOH systems such as NEDSS or LIMS or PDMP - Be willing to learn epidemiology specific applications such as Epi Info or RedCap - Be willing to learn new surveillance software - Evaluate surveillance systems and recommend improvements - Be willing to learn ArcGIS - Be willing to learn to map data - Be willing to learn visualization and analytic software like Python, R or Tableau Behaviors: - Initiative/Self Starting - Continuous Learner/Self Learner - Independent, directs own work - Interpersonal - Empathy - Critical thinking/common sense Part-time Telework-eligible: Under the current Administration, this position may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays (ODSMP staff is in the office Tuesdays and Wednesdays). In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and meet additional criteria per the Telework Agreement. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg. |
Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature. Leadership role in organization: The individual in this position performs duties under the direction of the Epidemiologist Supervisor. Decision making in work processes: Standards-based. Decision making is made based on standards defined by my supervisor or the proper professional/technical discipline. And Exploratory. Decision making occurs following careful interpretation, analysis and diagnosis. Employee is responsible to find information to develop solutions or approaches. Employee is responsible for informing supervisor when a request is outside of the PHI or DOH guidelines or outside of the purview of the Bureau of Epidemiology. Supervisor’s input to decision making: Professional. Supervisor reviews on-going work products after completion or if there is a problem or exception. Employee has authority to change internal procedures or approaches as needed within the accepted professional approach. Communication authority: Position advises outside its work unit by working within the Office of Drug Surveillance and Misuse Prevention and advising on PDMP and overdose prevention and surveillance efforts. |
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Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License Experience: Licenses, registrations, or certifications: 1. N/A 2. N/A 3. N/A 4. N/A 5. N/A 6. N/A |
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Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.
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