Substance Use Epidemiologist II

Equal Opportunity Employer
The mission of the Health Federation of Philadelphia is to promote community health by advancing access to high-quality, integrated, comprehensive health and human services. We believe in and are firmly committed to equal employment opportunity for employees and applicants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion, disability, sex or gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, military or veteran status.  This commitment applies to all aspects of the Health Federation of Philadelphia’s employment practices, including recruiting, hiring, training, and promotion.

JOB SUMMARY

This position provides epidemiological and analytical data support to the Division of Substance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction (SUPHR) at the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH). SUPHR’s mission is to prevent drug-related deaths and the potential harms associated with drug use by promoting the dignity, autonomy, and health of people who use drugs.

The person filling this position is responsible for leading the collection, management, visualization, and analysis of substance use-related datasets (e.g. overdose mortality data, Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4) data, surveillance drug checking data, Emergency Medical Services data, etc.). This position will report directly to the Epidemiology Manager and will work closely with other data staff, harm reduction specialists, and Emergency Medical Services staff.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Responsibilities/Duties

• Abstract, clean, and analyze substance-use related datasets.
• Perform routine data matches between substance use-related datasets. 
• Lead the development and refinement of data visualization activities, including data dashboards and reports, both internal and public-facing.
• Develop and maintain data collection systems (e.g. REDCap databases).
• Lead the fulfillment of internal and external requests for data. 
• Obtain and manage Institutional Review Board (IRB) approvals when required.
• Identify barriers in overdose surveillance efforts, and provide suggestions to improve surveillance, including recommendations for improving data collection processes.
• Oversee collection and timely reporting of grant-required data submissions. 
• Serve as a representative for grantee teleconferences/meetings.
• Conduct novel analyses using substance use-related datasets.
• Assist data staff in analysis and surveillance projects within the unit.
• Assist in the coordination and management of routine surveillance epidemiology meetings.
• Provide support to 1-2 student interns and/or entry-level data staff, when applicable.
• Summarize analytic findings for presentation at scientific conferences and publication in technical and scientific journals.
• Contribute to reports and presentations for funders, local stakeholders, and city officials.
• Generate data summaries for public reports, grant applications, and public data requests.
• Other duties as assigned.

Eligibility and participation are handled consistent with the plan documents and HFP policy. 

DISCLAIMER

The Health Federation reserves the right to modify, interpret, or apply this job description in any way the Company desires. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by an employee assigned to this position. This job description in no way implies that these are the only duties, including essential duties, responsibilities and/or skills to be performed by the employee occupying this position. This job description is not an employment contract, implied, or otherwise. The employment relationship remains “at will.” The aforementioned job requirements are subject to change to reasonably accommodate qualified disabled individuals.