Public Health Scientist (Senior Chronic Disease Epidemiologist - PCN 061036)

Job Description

This Individual Position is Exempt from the Hiring Freeze. Qualified Applicants are Encouraged to Apply.

Welcome to the Department of Health!

We’d be delighted to have you join our team.

If you envision yourself in this role and are ready to start an exciting career with us, apply today!

This position is open to Alaskan Residents only.Please check out the residency definition to determine if you qualify.

What you will be doing:
In this role, you’ll use data, leadership, and collaboration to improve public health and make a meaningful impact in local communities:

• Lead and shape the Section’s epidemiology, public health surveillance, and evaluation efforts - helping turn data into meaningful action.
• Create and refine clear, compelling reports, presentations, and insights that bring chronic disease and health promotion topics to life for colleagues, partners, and the Alaska public.
• Champion data integrity and privacy by developing thoughtful policies and procedures for analyzing and sharing epidemiologic data.
• Mentor and support a talented team of professionals and partner closely with program staff, offering expert guidance on epidemiology and evaluation to strengthen program planning, implementation, monitoring, and improvement.

Our organization, mission, and culture:
The mission of the Section of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (CDPHP) is to prevent and address chronic disease and injury so that Alaskans live longer, healthier lives.

One of the ways we achieve this is through the collection and sharing of scientific data, which helps our partners and us to:

• ensure activities are the best use of resources;
• monitor the effectiveness of our work; and
• give us an accurate picture of trends in health and health-related behaviors.

This Public Health Scientist position enhances our ability to accomplish each of these important objectives.

The benefits of joining our team:
We’re a fun, mission-driven team working to improve public health across Alaska, so your work directly helps people and communities live healthier lives. You’ll have opportunities to grow your skills and advance your career while collaborating with supportive, purpose-driven colleagues. We also value flexibility and work-life balance, helping you do meaningful work in a way that fits your life.

We also currently offer 12 annual paid holidays, personal leave with an accrual rate increase based on time served, hybrid telework schedules, flexible hours, excellent insurance and retirement benefits, professional development opportunities, and even gym discounts at participating fitness providers in multiple locations throughout the State. Check out the "Benefits" tab on this post to learn more.

The working environment you can expect:
Your new office on the 7th floor of the Frontier Building in midtown Anchorage features sweeping views from the Chugach Mountains to the Alaska Range, along with covered parking, a high level of building security, and convenient vending machines for drinks and snacks. Most staff currently work a hybrid schedule - splitting time between the office and home to maximize shared office space - so you can enjoy both in-person collaboration and the comfort of remote work.

Who we are looking for:
We are interested in candidates who possess some or all of the following position-specific competencies:

• Mathematical Reasoning: Solves practical problems by choosing appropriately from a variety of mathematical and statistical techniques.
• Health Research: Knowledge of the evidence-based principles, strategies, methods, processes, and best practices used to identify and define health issues and develop relevant research, investigations, evaluations, assessments, reporting of results, and recommendations.
• Oral and Written Communication: Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral and written presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
• Public Health: Applies knowledge of the concepts, principles, theories, methods, and tools associated with protecting and improving the health of people and their communities, including promoting healthy lifestyles, researching disease and/or injury prevention, and/or detecting, preventing, and responding to infectious diseases.

• Reasoning: Identifies rules, principles, or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information; analyzes information and makes correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions.

To view the general description and example of duties for this job class, please go to the following link and search for Public Health Scientist: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/Alaska/classspecs.

Minimum Qualifications

A Doctor of Public Health (Dr.P.H.), Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.), or Ph.D. from an accredited college in public health, health administration, nursing, epidemiology, toxicology, health sciences, education, health education, community health, emergency medical services, psychology, the social sciences, the biological sciences, the physical sciences, social work, computer sciences, biostatistics/statistics, mathematics, or a closely related field;

AND EITHERTwo years of any combination of full performance or journey level specific experience conducting a range of surveillance, investigative, research, analytical, and reporting activities related to the surveillance, investigation, and evaluation of acute and chronic diseases, injuries and other morbidities, mortality, and other health related issues; developing, implementing, and administering programs to ensure appropriate and effective public health care delivery systems, services, and operations in the State of Alaska; and/or serving as consultants and subject matter experts in distinct clinical and/or technical health specialty areas to promote health education, effective administration and delivery of health care services, and healthy lifestyles to diverse stakeholders. This may be met by service as an Epidemiology Specialist 2, Health Program Manager 2, and/or Public Health Specialist 2 with the State of Alaska or its equivalent with another employer.ORThree years of experience administering or providing specialized health care or public health services or programs. The required professional experience includes work such as a Registered Nurse, Public Health Nurse, Nurse Consultant, Public Health Specialist, Health Program Specialist or Manager, Health and Social Services Planner, Health Practitioner, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Physician's Assistant, Public Health Representative, or the equivalent. Service as an Analyst/Programmer, Education Specialist, Research Analyst, or other job class may qualify if the work performed was specifically related to the collection, analysis, and maintenance of data concerning conditions of public health importance, such as incidence/prevalence of disease or injuries, social risk factors, behavioral risk factors, environmental risk factors, and/or demographic characteristics. The required work experience may also include graduate level work conducting/assisting in specialized scientific research studies related to public health. OR A master's degree from an accredited college in public health, health administration, nursing, epidemiology, toxicology, health sciences, education, health education, community health, emergency medical services, psychology, the social sciences, the biological sciences, the physical sciences, social work, computer sciences, biostatistics/statistics, mathematics, or a closely related field;AND EITHERFour years of any combination of full performance or journey level specific experience conducting a range of surveillance, investigative, research, analytical, and reporting activities related to the surveillance, investigation, and evaluation of acute and chronic diseases, injuries and other morbidities, mortality, and other health related issues; developing, implementing, and administering programs to ensure appropriate and effective public health care delivery systems, services, and operations in the State of Alaska; and/or serving as consultants and subject matter experts in distinct clinical and/or technical health specialty areas to promote health education, effective administration and delivery of health care services, and healthy lifestyles to diverse stakeholders. This may be met by service as an Epidemiology Specialist 2, Health Program Manager 2, and/or Public Health Specialist 2 with the State of Alaska or its equivalent with another employer.ORFive years of experience administering or providing specialized health care or public health services or programs. The required professional experience includes work such as a Registered Nurse, Public Health Nurse, Nurse Consultant, Public Health Specialist, Health Program Specialist or Manager, Health and Social Services Planner, Health Practitioner, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Physician's Assistant, Public Health Representative, or the equivalent. Service as an Analyst/Programmer, Education Specialist, Research Analyst, or other job class may qualify if the work performed was specifically related to the collection, analysis, and maintenance of data concerning conditions of public health importance, such as incidence/prevalence of disease or injuries, social risk factors, behavioral risk factors, environmental risk factors, and/or demographic characteristics. The required work experience may also include graduate level work conducting/assisting in specialized scientific research studies related to public health. Special Note:All positions in this class require expertise in a specific health specialty field. Recruitment and selection for these positions will be from among only those candidates who have demonstrated the appropriate specialty background and experience. The specialty areas include, but are not exclusively limited to, the surveillance, control, and prevention of one or more of the following specific areas of public health: toxicology and related environmental health; communicable and chronic diseases of public health importance; domestic violence; intentional and unintentional injury; neurological development and diseases; and maternal and child health. Some positions require security clearance. The essential functions of some positions may involve exposure to infectious disease and/or biohazards. Some positions may require eligibility for professional registration or licensure within their specific health specialty field. The social sciences include anthropology, economics, sociology, history, political science, geography, psychology, and demography. The biological sciences include botany, biology, entomology, ecology, forestry, and zoology. The physical sciences include chemistry, physics, astronomy, geology, and soil science.

Additional Required Information

At the time of the interview, please provide the following:

1. Three (3) professional references, whom we may contact by phone, are required. One (1) of these references must be your current or most recent supervisor, if not already provided in the application.
2. Current performance evaluation, if available.
3. A copy of academic transcripts (unofficial is okay; please ensure that the institution name/URL is listed on the transcripts) is used to verify that you meet the minimum qualifications.
4. One (1) writing sample that demonstrates your ability to analyze, interpret, and make recommendations based on data related to an area of public health concern.

Please read the information below carefully. This applies to your application submission.
EDUCATION
To verify education is being used to meet and/or support the required minimum qualifications/competencies, you must fill in the Education section of the application. If you have not obtained a degree, please indicate the number of units completed. Copies of transcripts are required to verify educational credentials used to meet or support the minimum qualifications/competencies for a position and are required with each application (unofficial is okay; please ensure the institution/URL name is listed on the transcripts). Transcripts can be attached at the time of application or provided at the time of interview; if not, transcripts will be required before employment.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION
If education is completed in a foreign college or university, it may be used to meet the above requirements, if applicable. If utilizing this education, you must show that the education credentials have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs or an accredited U.S. state university reports the other institution as one whose transcript is given full value, or full value is given in subject areas applicable to the curricula at the state university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. The omission of the required documentation listed will result in an incomplete application, and you will not receive further consideration.

WORK EXPERIENCE
When using work experience not documented in your application, please provide the employer's name, job title, employment dates, and whether you worked full-time or part-time. Applications will be reviewed to determine if the responses are supported and if minimum qualifications are met. Work experience needed to meet the minimum qualifications must be documented in the application. If the application does not support minimum qualifications, the applicant may not advance to the interview and selection phase of the recruitment. A resume will not be used to determine that minimum qualifications have been met for the position you are applying for.

If you have currently or previously been appointed to a flexibly staffed position, please ensure your work experience within a flexibly staffed position indicates the actual dates employed at each level. Ensure your time and any subsequent flex promotion(s) are documented as a separate position. This is required as minimum qualifications require experience at a particular level, in which the lower level may not be considered. If this information is not accurately reflected in your application, this may cause the processing of your application for consideration to be delayed.

NOTE: Attaching a resume or curriculum vitae is not an alternative to filling out the application. Noting "see resume or CV" or any similar response on any portion of your application may lead to a determination that your application is incomplete and removal from consideration for this job posting.

The State of Alaska does not provide VISA Employer sponsorships.

MULTIPLE VACANCIES
This recruitment may be used for more than one (1) vacancy. The applicant pool acquired during this recruitment may be used for future vacancies for up to ninety (90) days after this recruitment closes. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply to each recruitment notice to ensure consideration for all vacancies.

APPLICATION NOTICE
You can ONLY apply for this position through the Workplace Alaska website or via a hard copy application. If you accessed this recruitment bulletin through a job search portal such as AlaskaJobs or another database, you MUST use a Workplace Alaska online or hard-copy application to apply successfully. Instructions on how to apply with Workplace Alaska may be found on the Workplace Alaska "How to Apply" webpage, found here: http://doa.alaska.gov/dop/workplace/help/

NOTICE
Questions regarding the application process can be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at 800-587-0430 (toll-free) or (907) 465- 4095. If you choose to be contacted by email, please ensure that your email address is correct on your application and that your spam filter will permit emails from the 'governmentjobs.com' domain. For information on allowing emails from the 'governmentjobs.com' domains, visit the Lost Password Help page at: https://www.governmentjobs.com/OnlineApplication/User/ResetPassword.

EEO STATEMENT
The State of Alaska complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals with disabilities who require accommodations, auxiliary aids, or services, or alternative communication formats, please call 1-800-587-4095 in Juneau or TTY: Alaska Relay 711 or 1-800-770-8973 or correspond with the Division of Personnel & Labor Relations at P.O. Box 110201, Juneau, AK 99811-0201. The State of Alaska is an equal-opportunity employer.

WORKPLACE ALASKA APPLICATION QUESTIONS & ASSISTANCE
Questions regarding application submission or system operation errors should be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at 1-800-587-0430 (toll-free) or (907) 465-4095 if you are in the Juneau area. Requests for information may also be emailed to recruitment.services@alaska.gov

For assistance with applying for a password, please visit: https://www.governmentjobs.com/OnlineApplication/User/ResetPassword

Contact Information

For specific information in reference to the position, feel free to contact the hiring manager at: Name/Title: Erin Peterson / Health Program Manager 4Phone: (907) 269-7153Email: erin.peterson@alaska.gov

Careers with the State of Alaska offer MANY benefits
The following information describes typical benefits available to employees of the State of Alaska. Actual benefits received may differ by bargaining unit or branch of government, position type, or be prorated for other than full time work.

For a quick breakdown of the insurance, health, and retirement benefits available for State Employees you can view an orientation video from Division of Retirement and Benefits. (Please note this video is specifically designed for new State Employees.)

Insurance Benefits

• Health insurance, which includes employer contributions toward medical/vision/dental
  • The following employee groups are under AlaskaCare Benefits administered by the State: See https://drb.alaska.gov/help/plans.html for additional information.
    • AVTEC
    • Confidential
    • Correctional Officers
    • Marine Engineers
    • Mt. Edgecumbe Teachers
    • Supervisory
    • Unlicensed Vessel Personnel/Inland Boatman's Union
    • Exempt employees (not covered by collective bargaining)
  • The following employee groups are covered by Union health trusts. Contact the appropriate Union for additional information.
    • General Government
    • Labor, Trades and Crafts
    • Public Safety Employees Association
    • Masters, Mates & Pilots
• Employer paid Basic Life insurance with additional coverage available (amount depends on Bargaining Unit)

Optional Insurance Benefits

• Group-based insurance premiums for
  • Term life (employee, spouse or qualified same sex partner, and dependents)
  • Long-term and short-term disability
  • Accidental Death and Dismemberment
  • Long-term care (self and eligible family members)
  • Supplemental Survivor Benefits
• Employee-funded flexible spending accounts for tax savings on eligible health care or dependent care expenses

Retirement Benefits

• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Teachers' Retirement System (TRS)
• Matching employer contribution into a defined contribution program (new employees)
• Employer contribution into a defined benefit or defined contribution program (current employees)
• Contributions to the Alaska Supplemental Annuity Plan in lieu of contributions to Social Security
• Option to enroll in the Alaska Deferred Compensation Program
• Note: The Defined Contribution Plan, Supplemental Annuity Plan and Deferred Compensation Program offer a variety of investment options

See https://drb.alaska.gov/retiree/ for additional information
Paid Leave & Other Benefits

• Personal leave with an accrual rate increase based on time served
• Twelve (12) paid holidays a year