Position Highlights
Position Title: Epidemiologist
Location: Hybrid- Phoenix, AZ (Arizona Department of Health Services)
Position End Date: 09/29/27
Salary: $65,000, plus benefits
Overview
The CDC Foundation is working with CDC and state and local authorities to provide surge staff to support surveillance, prevention and response activities within the Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) Capacity Building Initiative program. Under this cooperative agreement, CDC Foundation will hire and place epidemiologists in OD2A Capacity Building Initiative jurisdictions that demonstrate a need for epidemiology support to implement OD2A objectives. The epidemiologist will conduct surveillance and epidemiologic activities, including assisting partners with the collection and sharing of drug overdose data with the Arizona Department of Health Services; analyzing data to determine patterns and causes of drug overdoses in fatal [i.e., State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS), Death Certificates] and nonfatal [i.e., Drug Overdose Surveillance and Epidemiology (DOSE), Medical Electronic Disease Surveillance Intelligence System (MEDSIS), Hospital Discharge Database (HDD)] systems; implementing innovative surveillance projects; and disseminating important results for local communities to implement prevention and response efforts.
Minimum Qualifications:
Master’s degree required, preferably in Public Health or a related health field, with demonstrated advanced knowledge of public health principles.
Minimum of two (2) years of experience leading the analysis of both qualitative and quantitative data and translating findings into actionable recommendations.
Demonstrated ability to publish research in peer-reviewed journals and present findings at professional conferences.
Proven ability to communicate scientific findings effectively to diverse audiences, including technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Proficiency in at least one statistical analysis software package; SAS preferred and SQL experience required.
Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to convey complex information clearly and effectively.
Experience collaborating with diverse stakeholders and building strategic partnerships; strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with CDC staff, external partners, and multidisciplinary teams.
Strong understanding of the design and implementation of research and epidemiologic studies, including the application of appropriate analytical methodologies.
Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.
Experience working in virtual environments and collaborating effectively with remote partners and teams.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Google Workspace, Power BI, and Zoom.
Responsibilities
Collaborate with drug overdose surveillance teams at OD2A-funded health departments to refine epidemiologic surveillance data processing methods and evaluate overdose data sources to identify gaps, with a particular emphasis on stimulants and emerging drugs or adulterants.
Support the implementation of innovative surveillance activities within OD2A-funded jurisdictions, including the development of automated population-spike detection algorithms using syndromic surveillance data to generate rapid alerts for healthcare facilities and public health partners.
Maintain, enhance, and refine public-facing overdose surveillance dashboards and respond to internal and external data requests.
Assist in improving reporting compliance and data completeness within MEDSIS, including validating the quality of non-fatal opioid overdose data.
Develop surveillance reports, fact sheets, state-specific summaries, and data visualizations using non-fatal and fatal drug overdose data, including analyses of stimulant-related trends.
Conduct literature reviews and environmental scans on drug overdose and substance use-related public health topics.
Present surveillance findings, epidemiologic trends, and data visualizations to internal and external partners to inform prevention, intervention, and response activities.
Participate in discussions and collaborative planning efforts regarding the effective use of OD2A data for public health action.
Serve as a point of contact for assigned epidemiologic issues and provide technical support and guidance to program staff and partners.
Support the development, implementation, and maintenance of policies and procedures for new and existing disease control and surveillance programs.
Support risk communication activities by translating complex overdose surveillance data into clear, accurate, and actionable messages for public health partners and stakeholders.
Collaborate with internal and external partners to strengthen overdose surveillance strategies, identify data gaps, and translate findings into actionable prevention and response efforts.
Participate in drug-related public health emergency response activities as needed to support organizational and community response efforts.
Special Notes:
This role is involved in a dynamic public health program. As such, roles and responsibilities are subject to change as situations evolve. Roles and responsibilities listed above may be expanded upon or updated to match priorities and needs, once written approval is received by both the CDC Foundation and Arizona DOH in order to best support Arizona in their public health programming.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, mental or physical disabilities, veteran status, and all other characteristics protected by law. We comply with all applicable laws including E.O. 11246 and the Vietnam Era Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 governing employment practices and do not discriminate on the basis of any unlawful criteria in accordance with 41 C.F.R. §§ 60-300.5(a)(12) and 60-741.5(a)(7). As a federal government contractor, we take affirmative action on behalf of protected veterans.
The CDC Foundation is a smoke-free environment
Relocation expenses are not included
About the CDC Foundation
The CDC Foundation is an independent nonprofit authorized by Congress to mobilize philanthropic partners to support the public health system, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in preventing and responding to threats to health. In this role, we are focused on one priority: building catalytic, flexible and impactful partnerships—with corporations, philanthropies, individuals and organizations—to help improve the health and lives of people in all communities, everywhere. Visit www.cdcfoundation.org for more information
Job details are sourced from the employer's original posting.
Open job postingAbout the company
The CDC Foundation is an independent, nonprofit organization that connects the people of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with donors and partners to create a healthier world.