The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is currently hiring for a Research Scientist (RS) III (Epidemiology/Biostatistics) within our Office of Health Equity's (OHE) Climate Change & Health Equity (CCHE) Branch. In this role, you will serve as a Climate Change & Health Informatics Scientist.
OHE's mission is to promote equitable social, economic, and environmental conditions to achieve optimal health, mental health, and well-being for all and the CCHE Branch embeds health and equity in California climate change policy and planning and embeds climate change and equity in public health policy and planning.
This vacancy is being advertised in Contra Costa and Sacramento Counties. The position’s headquarters will be in the county nearest to the selected candidate’s residence. Hybrid telework is available. The deadline to apply is September 1, 2024, at 11:59PM Pacific Standard Time. Please reach out to [email protected] with any questions.
Responsibilities:
- Plan, organize, maintain, and update a complex system of informatics related to climate change and health equity, involving multiple agencies and data sources
- Calculate indicators of climate change and health equity, in terms of both vulnerability and outcomes by using modern data science techniques statistical software (e.g., R and Python) and cloud-based data platforms (e.g., Databricks) to manage, integrate, and/or link data, and conduct scientific analyses
- Apply quantitative and qualitative research methods to analyze data, conduct research, and utilize data for program evaluation
- Advance racial equity, climate and economic justice, diversity, and inclusion in approach, activities, processes, and deliverables
- Develop and maintain online tools and dashboards to display and report findings from climate change and health equity research and surveillance activities
- Evaluate, develop, and expand methods for incorporating data on the Internet for broad public dissemination, using tools such as R Shiny, PowerBI, and ArcGIS
- Prepare climate change and health equity data for dissemination to stakeholders to inform and educate policy makers, the public, and local health departments
- Provide data-driven public health recommendations in written reports and oral presentations and fulfill data requests and requests for scientific support from staff, the public, media, and other partners
- Provide scientific leadership and technical consultation on climate change and health equity data, and develop, implement, and monitor data management and quality improvement strategies
- Provide technical assistance and scientific support, such as grant writing, project proposals, development of prevention programs, and reviewing applications and proposals
Desirable Qualifications:
- Commitment to advancing racial equity, health equity, climate and economic justice, diversity, and inclusion in approach, processes, policies, and deliverables
- Commitment to serve vulnerable communities as defined by Section 131019.5 of the California Health and Safety Code
- Experience developing health data dashboards and online tools
- Proficiency in large data set management and analysis
- Proficiency with R or Python, data visualization tools (e.g., R Shiny, ArcGIS, PowerBI, etc.), and cloud-based data platforms, such as Databricks
- Knowledge of climate-related health issues
- Ability to work collaboratively as a member of a team, while performing a wide array of complex work independently
- Ability to develop and manage professional relationships
- Ability to prioritize and meet multiple competing deadlines
- Excellent written communication skills
Experience: One year of progressively responsible scientific research experience in the stated specialty or a closely related field. This experience must have included either: (1) experience with major responsibility for the design and execution of a complex, highly specialized research project; or (2) experience in the coordination and direction of a complex and difficult scientific research effort. This experience must be at a level of responsibility equivalent to that of a Research Scientist II, AND Education: Possession of a doctoral degree in the stated specialty or a closely related field.
New to State Service? The following steps will navigate you through the application process:
- Create a CalCareer account by going to https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHRPublic/Login.aspx.
- Confirm that you meet the minimum qualifications for the position you are wanting to apply for. A link to view minimum qualifications is listed on each job posting.
- After confirming that you meet the minimum qualifications, take, and pass the corresponding examination. Most exams are available online and can be found on CalCareers under the Exam/Assessment Search tab. Please note, while candidates are welcome to apply to positions without taking the examination, candidates must pass the examination prior to appointment. Please review the minimum qualifications thoroughly, prior to beginning the examination.
- Apply! Follow all directions and be sure to submit all requested documentation.
Link to Apply: https://bit.ly/4doAvli
Organization Details
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) works to protect the public's health in the Golden State and helps shape positive health outcomes for individuals, families and communities. The Department's programs and services, implemented in collaboration with local health departments and state, federal and private partners, touch the lives of every Californian and visitor to the state 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Our Shared Vision
CDPH public health professionals, researchers, scientists, doctors, nurses, and other staff members have a shared vision to protect and improve the health of all Californians. We are dedicated to public service and passionate about our work and the people and communities we serve and protect.
Essential Functions
The essential functions of the Department are critical to the health and wellbeing of people and communities. CDPH's fundamental responsibilities are comprehensive in scope and include infectious disease control and prevention, food safety, environmental health, laboratory services, patient safety, emergency preparedness, chronic disease prevention and health promotion, family health, health equity and vital records and statistics.
CDPH's key activities and services include protecting people in California from the threat of preventable infectious diseases like Zika virus, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and viral hepatitis, and providing reliable and accurate public health laboratory services and information about health threats.
Other critical services include providing nutritional support to low-income women, infants and children, and screening newborns and pregnant women for genetic diseases. CDPH also works to ensure the safety of food and bottled water, helps reduce smoking and its impacts and works to prevent chronic diseases and conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, asthma and obesity.
The Department also protects patient safety in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities, maintains birth and death certificates and prepares for, and responds to public health emergencies.
CDPH works continuously to reduce health and mental health disparities among vulnerable and underserved communities to achieve health equity throughout California.