Environmental Health Epidemiologist – TLT/SDA

Public Health is seeking a skilled Environmental Scientist III (Environmental Health Epidemiologist) with expertise in environmental epidemiology and toxicology to support the department’s work in reducing exposure to toxins. The incumbent will report to the Environmental Health Services Division’s Senior Toxicologist and work with a team of three providing expertise to the Environmental Health Services Division, and other Departments within King County government, with duties that include but are not limited to: serving technical needs for over 160 staff in the Division; enhancing understanding and reducing human and environmental exposures to toxic chemicals and environmental toxins; and identifying and utilizing health data that can be more effectively linked to toxic-related impacts.

The Environmental Health Scientist will apply quantitative and qualitative scientific research methods to characterize health effects of environmental exposures and work with colleagues and communication staff to share findings for a wide range of audiences, including the public. The candidate must be highly skilled in problem-solving, with expertise in epidemiology and a strong understanding of toxicology. Familiarity with and commitment to addressing environmental inequities in communities exposed to cumulative stressors through an equity and social justice lens is required. The successful candidate will be able to work independently on assigned tasks as well as with team members and other partners.

Background

ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES DIVISION

The Environmental Health Services (EHS) Division identifies and sustains environmental conditions that promote health equity, healthy people, and communities in King County. Our vision is for healthy, safe, and vibrant communities that are free from health disparities based on race, gender, or socioeconomic status. The Division’s core values include equity and social justice, integrity, community service, collaboration, a supportive work culture, and learning from each other and the communities we serve.

Temporary opportunity.  Term-Limited Temporary positions are "at-will" positions but are eligible for benefits. This TLT is currently anticipated to last up to two (2) years, however, could be extended subject to funding. 

This vacancy can also be filled as a Special Duty opportunity. For Special Duty Assignment interest, you must be a Career Service, Career Service Exempt or other regular (non-temporary) employee in King County who has completed their initial County probation. You must have supervisor approval prior to taking a Special Duty Assignment.

Note: This posting will create a list of qualified candidates that may be considered for selection of additional vacancies of the same position type over the next 6 months. 

Commitment To Equity and Social Justice

Named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.

The county government has a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from all communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.

We recognize that structural racism consists of principles and practices that cause and justify an inequitable distribution of rights, opportunities, and experiences across racial groups. Since declaring Racism is a Public Health Crisis in June 2020, King County and Public Health committed to being intentionally anti-racist and accountable to Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities.

To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/equity-social-justice.aspx

Work Schedule

Typical work schedule for this position is Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. There may be occasional evenings and weekends and some travel. This is an Exempt position and is not subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not overtime eligible.

Work Location

The work associated with this position will be performed through a combination of remote and onsite work. The successful candidate may be expected to report to the office for onsite work typically at a minimum two (2) times per month (subject to change per departmental requirements), but the candidate can work in the office more frequently as desired. The frequency of onsite work may vary based on business or operational needs and be adjusted accordingly. The primary onsite location is the Chinook Building, located at 401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements. Employees may report to the office 100% if home internet is not feasible.

King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

As the Environmental Health Epidemiologist, you will play a vital role to:

• Identify environmental health-related data sources and work to link them to the Departmental or other health assessment data to improve understanding of environmental and health outcomes, with a large focus on toxics.
• Design research and feasibility studies to anticipate future epidemiological needs of the community relevant to exposures to toxics and other environmental health hazards.
• Seek project funding and lead/advise grants or other projects related to toxics, biomonitoring, and health outcomes that link environmental concentrations to human exposures and health outcomes.
• Lead epidemiological analyses, including the identification of trends in health outcomes, risk profiles, and factors of specific communities, and program impacts on health risk behaviors.
• Apply scientifically rigorous quantitative methods to identify, evaluate, and characterize the magnitude, severity, and distribution of health effects.
• Interpret and analyze data and communicate findings to a wide variety of audiences (e.g., scientific publications, reports, lectures, seminars, press releases, social media, planning documents, and for community meetings, senior leadership, and policymakers).
• Participate in responses to environmental health emergencies related to toxic exposures, such as wildfires, extreme heat, flooding events, and acute toxic exposures, by designing and using quick-response disaster epidemiology studies.
• Advise on data quality and management and recommend/develop/implement new changes to surveillance systems and other data systems.
• Collaborate within the Department and with external partners (e.g., the state health department, academia, community) on relevant studies, data systems, and data collection.
• Stay up to date on the relevant scientific literature and new innovative approaches related to toxicology, environmental health, and contaminants of emerging concern.
• Foster awareness and practice of the principles of equity and social justice in alignment with the King County Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan.

Our ideal candidate will demonstrate the following (Minimum):

• Education and/or work experience equivalent to a master’s degree in toxicology, epidemiology, exposure science, public health, or a closely related field.
• Minimum two (2) years of experience that demonstrates the ability to lead and apply epidemiological or other data management principles to environmental health conditions.
• Ability to perform and contribute to basic qualitative analyses and evaluation.
• Demonstrated experience in environmental epidemiology (or similar field such as exposure science), or toxicology, and with knowledge of common pollutants and contaminants.

The most competitive applicants will have the following experiences and qualifications (Desired):

• Experience in the design and use of advanced qualitative analyses, mixed-methods research, and qualitative software packages.
• Strong oral and written communication, especially in communicating scientific concepts effectively with a diverse set of stakeholders.
• Experience working on issues related to chemical exposures and health outcomes, and familiarity with identifying trends, cumulative impacts, and confounders.
• Experience working on issues related to environmental toxics monitoring, health data analyses, or large data sets, and disaster response.
• Familiarity and/or experience with biomonitoring studies and use of biomonitoring data to explore exposures and linkages to health outcomes.
• Experience providing technical assistance to multiple stakeholders and/or the public.
• Experience building academic or other partnerships.
• Knowledge of state and national toxics policy, risk assessment approaches, and regulations.
• Demonstrated track record of successful grant writing.

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Who May Apply

This position is open to all qualified candidates.

Application Process

The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:

• NeoGov Job Application (The responses on your job application should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• Supplemental Questions (The responses to the supplemental questions should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• Resume (Outlining relevant experience)
• Cover Letter (Expressing Interest in this position)

Please note: Additional attachments will not be reviewed as part of the evaluation process if not outlined as a required application material as outlined above. 

Necessary Special Requirements

• The selection process may include evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience.
• The selected candidate must be able to pass a thorough background investigation, but findings may not necessarily disqualify an applicant for employment.
• For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring. For tips on interviewing, please visit https://www.kingcounty.gov/~/media/audience/employees/learning-and-development/Interview_Tips.ashx?la=en. 
• Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
• Public Health relies on office automation (Microsoft Office) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.
• Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing their mandatory trainings on time and obtaining required immunizations.
• Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.
• When Public Health responds to an emergency, and in accordance with relevant CBA language and/or KC policy and procedures, we may assign duties outside your regular job description. This may involve responding at any time, including nights and weekends, with possible deployment to locations other than the department. 
• If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Union Membership

This position is represented by the Local21 labor union.

Contact

For questions about this recruitment, please contact Salyse Duckworth, HR Analyst at sduckworth@kingcounty.gov.