Director, Health Equity and Epidemiology

The Director, Health Equity and Epidemiology (HEE) is a member of the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Public Health (OPH) Leadership Team, uses population health approaches and plays a leading role in development and implementation of the Department’s health equity strategy. The Director oversees data gathering, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination related to public health planning, programming, and policy. The Director collaborates with colleagues within HHS and across the County to support the use of data to inform public health and human services program, practice, and policy.  

The person holding this role brings demonstrated experience in the translation of evidence into policy and practice, while understanding of the role of social structures and social determinants on population health and wellness. The ideal candidate understands structural biases, including systemic racism that creates and perpetuates health disparities and has experience working at a systems level to address root causes of these health inequities. An essential element of this work is the ability to work with partners internally and externally and to build or maintain strong relationships with all stakeholders across disciplines and perspectives.  

This is considered an Essential Position within the Office of Public Health. Essential Employees are obligated to report to work as scheduled or remain at work during emergencies. Essential employees conduct essential job functions or assigned emergency duties which may involve assignments within the Department Operations Center, Emergency Operations Center, deployment to a field location to participate in public health activities, or other duties as required during periods of emergency. If received, emergency assignments may be performed under adverse conditions and continue for periods ranging from a few hours to several weeks, months, etc.

   Reports directly to Deputy Administrator, Operations & Culture, Office of Public Health.

• Demonstrated experience applying an equity and inclusion lens in the development and implementation of public health research and evaluation.  
• Demonstrated ability to translate data into actionable information for public health practice and policy.  
• Demonstrated experience writing project proposals, needs statements using population and program-level data, and data briefs for a variety of audiences.  
• Adept at collaboration with multiple levels and types of stakeholders.  
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.  
• Ability to analyze and solve complex problems.  
• Strong mapping abilities using software (e.g., ArcGIS, Leaflet) a plus.  
• Experience with interactive data visualization (e.g., Tableau, Shiny, Microsoft Power BI).  
• Have or can obtain within 60 days of hire CITI certification for human subject research.  
• Required travel throughout the County and the Commonwealth as necessary; must have reliable means of transportation
• This position requires the following clearances as a condition of employment: Child Abuse History Clearance, PA Criminal Record History, and FBI Fingerprint Clearance.
• Onsite in-person attendance is required as directed by Supervisor or Administrator

Education and Credentials

Experience and Skills

• At least seven years’ experience in public health, epidemiology, data and informatics, and/or public health research and evaluation.  
• At least five years’ experience working with public health data systems; and familiarity with electronic health records systems.  
• At least five years management or leadership experience demonstrating flexible situational leadership, self-awareness, and ability to establish and steward trust-based, collaborative relationships.  

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, drive an emergency vehicle, wear Personal Protective Equipment (including respiratory protection), and participate in physically strenuous activities. These physical activities may include reaching or working with arms above shoulders; bending, twisting or rotating at the waist; kneeling, crouching or squatting; climbing stairs; climbing ladders; pushing, lifting, or carrying objects 50 pounds or heavier; and work in a noisy environment; and work in adverse weather conditions. The employee must successfully pass a medical evaluation as outlined in the Montgomery County Special Operations Policy Manual.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Most of this position can be done from a remote location with scheduled in-person or field locations as needed.