Epidemiologist/Genomics Team Lead

Company: Heluna Health
Location: Richmond
Posted on: June 15, 2022

Job Description:

SUMMARY

The purpose of the Genomics Team within the Epidemiology and Surveillance Team of the COVID-19 California Department of Public Health (CDPH) response is to maintain and provide case-based surveillance and epidemiologic data for COVID-19 Variant of Concern (VOC) and Variant of Interest (VOI) cases reported in the state of California. This team works to meet the demands for timely and highly visible surveillance data used by groups at CDPH as well as the California Department of Technology and the Governor's Office to track and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. This team is responsible for accurately reporting COVID-19 VOC cases and required data elements to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in accordance with the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists guidance.

The Genomics Team Lead functions within an incident command structure (ICS) as part of the Science Branch and provides management to a team of genomic epidemiology scientists with training and expertise in epidemiology, genetics, viral genetics, curation, and/or bioinformatics. The position interacts with other Epidemiology and Surveillance teams to perform essential surveillance functions, including the epidemiologists who provide case-based surveillance and epidemiologic data for all COVID-19 cases and tests, investigations and travel epidemiologists, and data quality analysts, as well as multiple other internal and external partners involved with the COVID-19 pandemic response, including local health departments (LHDs) and the CDC.

Applicants must submit a cover letter and resume to be considered. Please provide three professional references.

Must be able to work flexible hours, including weekends and holidays.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Operate within Incident Command Structure (ICS) to respond to COVID-19 VOI and VOC report data-related needs of CDPH and the state of California.
  
• Supervise team staff to assure accountability and integrity of COVID-19 genomics data.
  
• Establish and maintain reliable, efficient, and effective methods for combining genomics data obtained from public repositories such as GISAID and GenBank with CDPH case registry data.
  
• Increase Genomics Team's ability to identify emerging variants of interest and variants of concern.
  
• Establish and maintain effective protocols to ensure timely and accurate COVID-19 VOC case reporting to all partners.
  
• Provide technical assistance and expertise on reporting COVID-19 VOC and VOI cases, contacts, and outbreaks to local health departments and CDPH teams.
  
• Develop and implement plans for representative sampling, including in clinical isolates representing diverse geographic and demographic (e.g., age, gender, race/ethnicity, congregate settings) populations over time.
  
• Establish and maintain reliable, efficient, and effective methods for communication with team members and other Science Branch members via web-based applications, telephone, and email to maintain awareness of team capacity, status of data and immediate needs.
  
• Analyze and resolve problems and demonstrate solid subject matter knowledge.
  
• Routinely review case reporting materials and changes to forms and procedures needed to capture the most current requested case and associated epidemiologic data.
  
• Oversee and contribute to special projects related to COVID-19 genomics as identified by Epidemiology Leads and Science Branch Director.
  
  NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
  
  
  • Coordinate and facilitate teleconferences and meetings, as required.
    
  • Perform other duties as directed by Epidemiology Leads.
    
    JOB QUALIFICATIONS
    
    
    • Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with public health and healthcare professionals and internal partners.
      
    • Ability to supervise and oversee data entry, data cleaning, and data quality assessment with attention to detail.
      
    • Knowledge and application of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirements and protection of health information.
      
    • Strong knowledge of epidemiology and ability to interpret disparities and trends in data.
      
    • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
      
    • Experience with whole genome sequence (WGS) data repositories (e.g. GISAID, GenBank) and electronic laboratory and case reporting (e.g. CalREDIE).
      
    • Ability to make time sensitive decisions in complex situations.
      
    • Ability to prioritize, delegate and manage multiple tasks.
      
    • Demonstrate reliability and integrity.
      
    • Fluency in spoken English is required.
      
      Education/Experience
      
      
      • Master's degree in public health, epidemiology, biostatistics, genetics, bioinformatics or other closely related fields.
        
      • Doctoral degree in public health epidemiology, biostatistics, genetics, bioinformatics or other closely related fields, preferred.
        
      • At least five years of experience working as an epidemiologist or geneticist in a public health setting, required.
        
      • At least ten years of experience working as an epidemiologist or geneticist in a public health setting, preferred.
        
      • Experience supervising or leading epidemiologists or other professional staff, required.
        
      • Strong knowledge associated with monitoring staffing levels, recruitment, and training procedures, required.
        
      • Strong knowledge of epidemiological/biostatistical methods, required.
        
      • Ability to make time sensitive decisions in complex situations, required.
        
      • Strong organizational skills, required.
        
      • Experience in managing or overseeing complex projects, required.
        
      • Basic knowledge and use of statistical software, such as Statistical Analysis Software (SAS) and R, preferred.
        
        Certificates/Licenses/Clearances
        
        
        • None
          
          Other Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
          
          
          • Prior knowledge and experience operating in incident command structure (ICS), preferred.
            
          • Prior knowledge and experience in use of CalREDIE, preferred.
            
          • Knowledge of and skilled in the use of Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, and Power Point.
            
            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 50 lbs
              
            • Push/Pull Occasionally - Up to 50 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 functioning Wi-Fi/internet access. There is no reimbursement for 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.
              
              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)

Keywords: Heluna Health, Richmond , Epidemiologist/Genomics Team Lead, Other , Richmond, California