The Epidemiologist II will support the Regulatory and Translational Science Unit in the Bureau of Environmental Health (BEH) Environmental Toxicology Program (ETP). This individual will be responsible for supervising and conducting public health assessments associated with the cultivation, preparation, and use of cannabis and cannabis derived products sold in Massachusetts. Under the direction of the ETP Director, the incumbent will collaborate with senior staff members in the ETP, and will directly supervise staff and contractors conducting public health research and surveillance (e.g., health surveys, environmental and biological contaminant monitoring, cannabinoid exposure assessment, cannabis use surveillance, literature-based epidemiology research, etc.). The individual will assist the Director with research study design, management, and execution as well as translating technical work-products from program activities into tools that educate stakeholders (local health departments, clinicians, industry, senior leadership, patients, consumers, etc.). The individual may represent the ETP at public meetings, as requested by senior staff.
This position provides guidance for analytical and evaluation activities in the Environmental Toxicology Program, conducts epidemiological and statistical analyses of Regulatory and Translational Science Unit data to determine trends incidence and prevalence of health topics. It recommends standards for and conducts data quality assurance and control as well as prepares and presents statistical and epidemiological reports. The Epidemiologist II provides criteria for generation of unsolicited reports for purposes of quality improvement. The position independently and collaboratively develops and/or selects study design and methodological techniques for research efforts using databases and other available data sources. It prepares and presents evidence-based analyses to inform the development of regulations and policies.
The candidate in this position must keep informed of current trends and data in the environmental health basis of diseases by reviewing professional literature and by attending, when feasible/appropriate, seminars, courses and conferences.
Detailed Statement of Duties and Responsibilities:
- Provides guidance for the epidemiological activities of the Environmental Toxicology Program.
- Conducts research on environmental exposure assumptions, especially related to the consumption or use of medical marijuana.
- Responsible for review of analytical epidemiological data for possible issuance of public health advisories.
- Addresses public concerns about possible health effects from exposures to environmental contaminants in medical marijuana through preparation of descriptive, statistical and epidemiological reports to internal and external audiences.
- Attends meetings related to environmental toxicology issues as the ETP representative.
- Prepares draft reports evaluating laboratory data and possible health effects for review by Program Director or Bureau Deputy Director.
- Prepares draft educational materials on related topics.
- Summarizes relevant existing regulatory guidance and criteria from state, federal, and authorative agencies.
- Responsible for determining data collection methods for various environmental exposure sources (e.g., plant material, oils, resins, grow media) and summarizing and interpreting data.
- Conducts quantitative analyses of possible health risks associated with exposures to environmental media.
- Represents the program and bureau in providing technical presentations.
- Reviews epidemiological literature for information on possible associations between environmental exposures from sources of environmental contamination and health outcomes.
- Adheres to bureau protocol in responding to public health inquiries (e.g., telephone calls) regarding program projects.
- Assists Program Director with preparing materials for presentation at public meetings.
- Reviews environmental consulting service proposals and contracts and recommend changes to technical specifications.
Qualifications Preferred at Hire:
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Knowledge of the utilization of computer hardware and software.
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Ability to analyze and determine the applicability of epidemiological data, to draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.
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Ability to give oral and written instructions in a precise and understandable manner.
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Ability to make effective oral presentations.
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Ability to read and interpret such documents as test results.
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Ability to prepare statistical reports.
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Ability to gather information by examining records and documents.
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Ability to understand and apply the laws, rules and regulations, policies, procedures, specifications, standards and guidelines, as applicable, governing assigned unit activities.
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Ability to coordinate the work of others in accomplishing assigned work objectives.
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Knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations governing licensed healthcare entities.
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Knowledge of healthcare settings.
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Knowledge of the principles and practice of research methodologies.
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Knowledge of the principles and techniques of data quality assurance and control.
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Knowledge of the principles and techniques of auditing of data transactions.
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Knowledge of geographic information systems
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Knowledge of the principles and practices of organizational behavior including organizational structure.
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Ability to assess data quality.
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Ability to write effective technical reports for medical, scientific and lay audiences.
Mission Statement:
The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to prevent illness, injury, and premature death, to assure access to high quality public health and health care services, and to promote wellness and health equity for all people in the Commonwealth.
We envision a Commonwealth in which all people enjoy optimal health. Massachusetts ranks among the healthiest of states according to comparative analyses, but we face numerous challenges, including chronic and infectious disease, substance abuse, violence, preventable hospitalizations, and health disparities.
DPH coordinates programs and policies to address specific diseases and conditions and offer services to address the needs of vulnerable populations. We also develop, implement, promote, and enforce regulations and policies to assure that the conditions under which people live are most conducive to health and enable people to make healthy choices for themselves and their families. We license health professionals, healthcare facilities and a variety of businesses that impact public health. We operate the state laboratory and four public health hospitals. We monitor health status and manage vital records including births, marriages and deaths. We educate people about public health issues and work closely with local boards of health and community partners to identify and solve public health problems.
Pre-Hire Process:
A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori
Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.
Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.
For questions, please contact Health Human Resources at 1-800-850-6968.
Qualifications
First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.
Minimum Entrance Requirements:
Applicants must have at least (A) five (5) years of full-time or equivalent part-time professional or technical experience in epidemiology, biology, biostatistics, toxicology, environmental science, environmental health, ecology, public health, chemistry, virology, immunology, bacteriology, microbiology, or statistics and (B) of which at least two (2) years must have been in a professional capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions listed below.
Substitutions:
I. A Bachelor’s degree with a major in epidemiology, biology, biostatistics, toxicology, environmental science, environmental health, ecology, public health, chemistry, virology, immunology, bacteriology, microbiology, statistics, or other health-related field may be substituted for a maximum of two (2) years of the required (A) experience.*
II. A Master’s degree or higher with a major in epidemiology, biology, biostatistics, toxicology, environmental science, environmental health, ecology, public health, chemistry, virology, immunology, bacteriology, microbiology, statistics, or other health-related field may be substituted for a maximum of three (3) years of the required (A) experience and one (1) year of the required (B) experience.*
- Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.
NOTE: Educational substitution will only be permitted for a maximum of one (1) year of the (B) experience.
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.