Epidemiologist II & Data Products Manager

Job Description:\n\n Job Summary: The Great Plains Tribal Epidemiology Center’s (GPTEC) Epidemiologist II and Data Products Manager is responsible for project leadership within applied epidemiology, surveillance and data product development for GPTEC Programs and the Data Coordinating Unit. This position involves a thorough understanding of the principles of epidemiology and surveillance; the ability to lead or support data acquisition and exchange projects for the benefit of the Great Plains Area Tribes and GPTLHB; development of data products and fostering a culture of health knowledge and literacy among partners through briefs, reports, presentations and trainings; and, grant and proposal writing in support of these functions. The incumbent will assist disseminating information and promoting health literacy among all GPTEC partners by developing training opportunities and providing technical assistance on data interpretation, use and communication in support of public health decision-making. Additionally, the Epidemiologist II and Data Products Manager participates in the writing and submission of grants and proposals and supports the translation and dissemination of findings and public health recommendations to Great Plains tribes. The GPTEC Epidemiologist II and Data Products Manager reports directly to the GPTEC Director and Lead Epidemiologist. Essential Functions: Specific duties include, but are not limited to: Project ManagementLead the completion/provision of epidemiological and data projects, services, and deliverables by managing project budgets (consistent with requirements and policies), organizing meetings and other collaboration, and/or delegating related activities across interdisciplinary teams/positions.Support sustainability of data services and activities by identifying opportunities for and leading or contributing to, as appropriate, grant and proposal writing, guided by and in alignment with organizational, departmental, and tribal health priorities.Assist in the execution of GPTEC program activities and services in line with the work plan, deadlines, and departmental plans/goals.Help monitor program compliance with funding agency and GPTLHB requirements.Represent GPTEC and associated services/efforts effectively and contribute to its promotion and marketing at the local, regional, and national level.Foster relationships and communicate regularly with local partners and stakeholders to strengthen program collaborations and partnerships.Manage project team members, data, reports, documents, and progress in an organized manner.Report to the DCU Director and the Senior Director of the Great Plains Tribal Epidemiology Center and provide updates to GPTEC Program Managers on a regular basis regarding overall program performance and progress.Lead and aid in the preparation and writing of reports including, but not limited to, progress reports, monthly and annual reports, and internal and external reports, as needed.Other duties as assigned. Epidemiology & Data ProductionServe as a GPTEC subject-matter expert for surveillance and epidemiology among the Great Plains tribes and tribal and non-tribal regional and national organizations and entities to foster appropriate collaborations and contribute to the growth of tribal health data literacy, sovereignty, governance, and advocacy.Support the use of data and resulting information for short and long-range public health strategic planning processes, systems changes, and advocacy alongside GPTLHB, Great Plains tribes, Great Plains Area IHS, state health departments and other public entities.Support and build knowledge in the development, implementation, maintenance, and application of surveillance and data systems and activities used to detect and characterize disease associations, monitor and promote the health status of American Indians/Alaska Natives in the Great Plains, and promote public health actions in coordination with tribes, public health authorities, and health providers.Contribute to the development of partnerships, systems, and services to assess and respond to American Indian/Alaska Native health status priority objectives in the Great Plains Area.Compose, develop and implement quantitative and qualitative data collection, analysis, and translation related to tribal research, surveillance, and assessment objectives and needs.Contribute to the completion of literature and methodological reviews to support the interpretation of public health data.Lead the composition, visualization/translation, and dissemination of public health data, findings, and recommendations to respective Great Plains tribes and other partners, as appropriate.Contribute guidance to the epidemiological approach and response to tribal public health emergencies and outbreaks in the Great Plains.Develop and deliver epidemiological, data, and public health skills-based trainings and technical assistance in coordination with tribal public health programs, academic partners, and others to increase the capacity of the public health workforce in the Great Plains.Support and ensure adherence to GPTEC’s Data Policies and Procedures.Other duties as assigned. Professional Behavior Effectively plan, organize workload and schedule time to meet the demands of the position.Work in a cooperative and professional manner with GPTEC and GPTLHB staff. Treat Great Plains tribes and collaborators with dignity and respect.Utilize effective verbal and written communication skills.Abide by GPTLHB policies and procedures. Must comply with federal laws and regulations as required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).Performs related duties. Professional Behavior Effectively plan, organize workload and schedule time to meet the demands of the position.Work in a cooperative and professional manner with OHC and GPTLHB staff.Treat Great Plains tribes and collaborators with dignity and respect.Utilize effective verbal and written communication skills.Advance personal educational development by attending training sessions and seminars as appropriate.Exemplify excellent customer service with tribal stakeholders, health board colleagues, program partners, service recipients, visitors and guests. Foster a work environment of wellness, courtesy, friendliness, helpfulness and respect. Relate well and work collaboratively with coworkers and all levels of staff in a professional manner. Consistently demonstrate respect for and acceptance of differing capabilities, cultures, gender, age, sexual orientation and/or personalities. Maintain and ensure organizational privacy and confidentiality. Handle crisis and tolerate stress professionally.Be self-directed and take proactive initiative to assist others. Resolve issues with other departments and coworkers without direct supervision if needed. Promote an alcohol, tobacco and drug-free lifestyle.Embrace modes of appearance and attire that reflect a professional presence. Adhere to GPTLHB policies and procedures.Other duties as assigned by the Supervisor. RequirementsParticipate in Core Connection training and apply GPTLHB Core Connections concepts and practices in their work.Exemplify excellent customer service with tribal stakeholders, health board colleagues, program partners, service recipients, visitors and guests.Strong written and verbal communication skills, especially with application to translating data and epidemiological and public health concepts to both professional and non-professional audiences.Demonstrated discretion, tact, knowledge and overall ability in working effectively with federal, tribal and other professionals.Familiarity and/or experience working with American Indian populations and respect for and knowledge of traditional, cultural and spiritual practices of diverse American Indian communities, as well as an ability to work with other culturally and ethnically diverse populations. Must be able to handle crisis and tolerate stress professionally.Must be self-directed and take proactive initiative to assist others.Possess the ability to resolve issues with other departments and coworkers without direct supervision. Able to exercise flexibility to alter plans/routines when situations require and continue to perform without projecting stress/frustration that would adversely affect the work environment.Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule, including evenings, weekends and overnight or extended travel as necessary.Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to community members, consumers and other employees of the organization.Proficiency with computer programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and other Internet technologies.Valid driver’s license must be kept current, and certificates, credentials or licenses must be kept current and consistent with regulations required by applicable federal, state and/or grant regulations. Supervisory Controls The supervisor sets the overall objectives and resources available. The employee and supervisor, in consultation, develop deadlines, projects, and work to be done. The employee is considered an expert and is responsible for planning and carrying out the assignment, resolving most of the conflicts that arise, coordinating the work with others as necessary, and interpreting policy on own initiative in terms of established objectives. In some assignments, the employee also determines the approach to be taken and the methodology to be used. The employee keeps the supervisor informed of progress and potentially controversial matters. Completed work is reviewed only from an overall standpoint in terms of feasibility, compatibility with other work, or effectiveness in meeting requirements or expected results. Guidelines Guidelines are available but are not completely applicable to the work or have gaps in specificity. The employee must use judgment in interpreting and adapting guidelines, such as agency policies, regulations, precedents, accreditation requirements, advanced clinical protocols, and work directions for application to specific cases or problems. The employee analyzes results and recommends changes. The employee uses initiative and resourcefulness in deviating from traditional methods or researching trends and patterns to develop new methods, criteria, or proposed new policies. Guidelines include GPTLHB, OHC, and department policies and procedures. Complexity/Scope of Work The work includes some variations, and may involve different and unrelated processes and methods. The decision regarding what needs to be done depends upon the analysis of the subject, phase, or issues involved in each assignment, and the chosen course of action may have to be selected from many alternatives. The work involves treating a variety of conventional problems, questions, or situations in conformance with established criteria. The work product or service affects the design or operation of systems, programs, or equipment; the adequacy of such; the social, physical, and economic well-being of people; or the social or economic well-being of the organization. Contacts The personal contacts are with employees throughout the organization and are generally engaged in different functions and kinds of work, and may be representatives from various levels. Other personal contacts at this level include contact with partner organizations, Tribal affiliate organizations, and members of the general public. The purpose is to plan, coordinate, or advise on work efforts, or to resolve operating problems by influencing or motivating individuals or groups who are working toward mutual goals and who have basically cooperative attitudes. Work Environment/Physical Demands The characteristic demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit and use hands to finger, handle or feel. The employee is often required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Local and moderate out-of-town travel is required. Supervisory and Management Responsibility This is a non-supervisory position that may provide functional direction, guidance and instruction to other employees when necessary. This position possess authority to assign, coordinate, and review quality and quantity of work of other employees. Instructs employees in specific techniques or technical methods for accomplishing work assignments. The employee may perform the same type of work as other employees, but may be responsible for performance of the more technically difficult, controversial, or sensitive work assigned to the unit or group. Education/Experience/Certificates/CredentialsA Masters of Public Health in Epidemiology and a minimum of five (5) years of applied epidemiological and informatics experience with demonstrated high level of competence in a broad range of epidemiological and informatics functions is required for this position.Demonstrated project management and grant writing is strongly preferred.Experience that indicates the ability to interact effectively with leaders and stakeholders within American Indian communities, government agencies, scientific and academic communities, medical and health-related organizations, nongovernmental groups and the public at large is required.Must successfully pass a criminal and background check, and a pre-employment drug screen. The GPTLHB is a tribal organization which follows tribal preference laws. It is our policy to give preference to qualified Indian/Tribal candidates over qualified non-native candidates in hiring decisions, if all other qualifications are equal. Employment is contingent upon the outcome of all required criminal background checks.