Job Description:

SUMMARY

The Occupational Epidemiologist works on the Occupational Health Branch (OHB) COVID-19 Epidemiology Team of the California Department of Public Health to provide expertise for data collection, analysis, and interpretation for prevention of COVID-19 and other high-risk agents in an occupational health context.

Duties will include gathering, linking, and analyzing data to understand work-related variables contributing to risk of infection and death; identifying new sources of occupational data to use in conjunction with COVID-19 and other aerosol transmissible diseases; translating the scientific findings of the OHB Epidemiology Team into practical summaries that can be distributed and used by stakeholders in occupational health; and designing and implementing studies on lesser studied impacts of the pandemic, such as worker mental health or other topics of interest.

Additionally, the Occupational Epidemiologist will contribute to efforts in OHB in using the scientific lessons learned from the pandemic to prepare for future large-scale emergencies and illnesses that have unique impacts in the occupational setting. 

The Occupational Epidemiologist may collaborate with OHB colleagues on other COVID-19 projects and emerging public health needs, such as avian influenza.

Applicants must submit a cover letter and curriculum vitae to be considered. This is a term-limited position through June 30, 2026.

The salary range for this position is $87,000 - $100,000 per year depending on experience/ qualifications.

If hired for this position, you will be required to provide proof that you are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to your start date or have a valid religious or medical reason qualifying you for an exemption (that may or may not require an accommodation).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

• Develop new occupational studies to document other impacts of COVID-19 and long COVID-19 on California’s workers.

• Gather, analyze, and interpret surveillance data on workplace variables and occupational risk factors for COVID-19 infection and disease outcomes.


• Analyze surveillance data, such as Doctor’s First Reports of Occupational Injury or Illness, to examine COVID-19 and other emerging hazard morbidity from an occupational health perspective.


• Provide expertise and support to enhance collection of occupational information for infectious disease reporting at state and local level.


• Serve as project lead and provide oversight and mentorship to junior team members.


• Develop and write protocols for new projects, including for IRB review and approval.


• Develop new processes and protocols in collaboration with other team members for complex studies and projects.


• Make major intellectual contributions to design and analysis of new and ongoing studies that are of large scale or complex nature.


• Conduct literature reviews of scientific questions pertaining to work-related COVID-19 and other emerging hazards.


• Conceptualize, coordinate, and produce manuscripts, reports, data visualizations, and public-facing materials that describe/interpret epidemiologic analysis for the purpose of COVID-19 control and prevention policy in California’s workplaces.


• Present at meetings and scientific conferences, if applicable.


• Participate in conference calls with epidemiology and laboratory partners at CDPH, CDC, academic partners, and local health departments (LHDs).


• Perform other duties as directed by the Leadership.


• Collaborate effectively in a team environment.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• Expertise in the fundamentals and principles of epidemiology, biostatistics, and public health; fluent with current, state-of-the-art statistical methods


• Experience designing and conducting epidemiologic studies, ideally in an occupational health setting


• Ability and experience analyzing and interpreting complex data


• Experience linking large datasets


• Ability to translate complex results into prevention recommendations interpretable by a variety of audiences


• Excellent written and oral communication skills with an ability to communicate with both scientific and lay audiences


• Knowledge of current developments in public health


• Attention to detail


• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and work independently


• Ability to work as part of a team


• Fluency in spoken and written English

Education/Experience

• Completed Ph.D., in Epidemiology or related field, required


• At least two years of post-doctoral experience in public health, preferred


• Experience in occupational epidemiology, preferred


• Evidence of prior publications, as a primary or co-author


• Knowledge and use of statistical software such as Statistical Analysis Software (SAS), R and/or Python, preferred


• Basic knowledge and use of data visualization software such as Tableau, preferred

Certificates/Licenses/Clearances 

• N/A

Other Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities 

Knowledge of and skilled in the use of Microsoft Office products to include Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, and PowerPoint 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

• Stand: Frequently


• Walk: Frequently


• Sit: Frequently


• Handling / Fingering: Occasionally


• Reach Outward: Occasionally


• Reach Above Shoulder: Occasionally


• Climb, Crawl, Kneel, Bend: Occasionally


• Lift / Carry: Occasionally - Up to 30 lbs


• Push/Pull: Occasionally - Up to 30 lbs


• See: Constantly


• Taste/ Smell: Not Applicable

KEY

• Not Applicable = Not required for essential functions


• Occasionally = (0 - 2 hrs/day)


• Frequently = (2+ - 5 hrs/day)


• Constantly = (5+ hrs/day)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Remote. Must have reliable Wi-Fi/internet access.

EEOC STATEMENT

It is the policy of Heluna Health to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Heluna Health is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer that encourages minorities, women, veterans, and disabled to apply.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

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