The Epidemiologist uses program, research, evaluation, and grant management experience in working with grantees and stakeholder organizations to facilitate successful outcomes and effective implementation of grant programs. The Epidemiologist serves as TSET’s primary point of contact on data analysis and surveillance systems.
The Epidemiologist fosters and maintains positive grantee relationships by providing quality guidance, training and consultation on best practices. The Epidemiologist engages with a highly diverse group of grants and partners, including health systems change grants, scientific research grants, the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline, programs to increase primary care physicians in rural and underserved parts of the state, and grants and programs that support voluntary smokefree policies in businesses. The Epidemiologist must be able to see the individual uniqueness of each grant as well as the big picture of how these grant programs fit together in reducing tobacco use and obesity. The Epidemiologist needs to understand scientific research and evaluation to collaboratively work and dialogue with researchers to successfully translate research findings and results into practice improvements in TSET-funded programs. The Epidemiologist will work with service and health systems (comprised of multiple organizations) to measure and analyze improvements in their wellness culture through policy adoption that impacts day-to-day health behaviors. The Epidemiologist will provide oversight, management and foster synergy in the use of data for achieving annual objectives and action plans of grant programs.
The Epidemiologist works collaboratively with technical assistance and training team partners, as well as grantees, when developing new data plans, tools, protocols, consultation delivery, and translating research and evaluation results into actionable intervention strategies. The Epidemiologist assists with the process of application reviews and preparation of grant performance summaries for the Board of Directors. Working for and with the Director of Programs, the Epidemiologist improves upon the agency’s performance data and surveillance capacity, stays current with evidence-based strategies and seeks out innovative research designs and program approaches.
The Epidemiologist works under the guidance and supervision of the Director of Programs and job performance is evaluated by the Director of Programs.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACTIVITIES
- Assists in creating grantee performance reports, action plan templates, and other tools associated with the scope of work grantees will be funded to successfully complete.
- Assists in developing logic models for each grant program illustrating how each is expected to create change and how progress will be charted.
- Works collaboratively with research and evaluation partners in creating and managing the implementation of local process or outcome evaluation designs and data collection plans for a grantee.
- Identifies training and technical assistance needs of TSET staff and grantees related to data sources useful to measuring program impact.
- Develops primary data gathering tools and instruments, such as surveys, scoring rubrics, case studies, photo…
- Develops data packages to accompany an RfP for use by applicants to identify populations and areas of need.
- Develops program outcomes/indicators associated with an RfP.
- Serves as lead trainer related to assessing the local community environment, prioritizing needs driven by data results, and development of a strategic plan by grantees.
- Performs secondary data analysis of existing data and surveillance resources for the purpose of creating at-risk population indexes useful to establishing eligibility requirements for new grant program.
- Establishes quality assurance protocols for TSET related to data collection, its analysis and interpretation, issuance of findings and conclusions and proper presentation of the results.
- Analyzes, interprets, and summarizes data results related to TSET’s grant programs.
- Guides the planning and implementation of the program activities related to tobacco control, physical activity and nutrition efforts.
- Engages or participates in research activities, special investigations and descriptive and analytic studies relating to tobacco control and obesity.
- Prepares technical reports and scientific articles and participate in grant writing activities.
- Designs and implements epidemiological studies and surveillance systems; or recommend improvement to existing surveillance systems.
- Determines and utilizes appropriate statistical methods to evaluate and interpret data.
- Interacts with the media and conveys information to the public.
- Provides consultation to health care professionals, community organizations, and others on specific disease, injury, or conditions and trends and corresponding best practices for reducing risk.
KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS &ABILITIES:
- Knowledge of epidemiology methods, data gathering methods, environmental analyses interpretation, of statistical analysis, biometry, and demography; of epidemiological or statistical software; of social and economic conditions; and of current epidemiological developments, techniques intervention strategies.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; to effectively communicate with others and the public; to write technical and non-technical information material; and to use a personal computer and applicable software.
- Knowledge of and experience in effective public speaking techniques and the ability to present complex information in an effective and concise manner.
- Ability to form effective relationships with people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and cultures.
- Demonstrated ability to work as part of a complex team. Ability to convene and lead a work group to achieve results and a final product.
- Experience and familiarity with scientific research and protocols.
- Familiarity with or expertise in all phases of grants management.
- Demonstrated competency in conducting research, implementing programs of public health or social services, and best practices policy development in tobacco control, physical activity and nutrition.
- Ability to understand, monitor and apply current legal and programmatic regulations related to grants management and oversight.
- Knowledge of and experience in scientific research, philanthropy, government funding, and/or the nonprofit sector operations.
- Broad familiarity with the agency’s history, structure, program areas and mission.
- Demonstrated experience in formulating and implementing policies and procedures.
- Demonstrated experience in overseeing and providing consultation to research and program grant.
- Capacity to group abstract ideas and form coherent picture.
- Ability to objectively analyze a situation and evaluate pros and cons of any course of action.
- Proficient in project management processes for managing complex projects and assuring timely delivery of quality products/deliverables.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office products.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
A Master's Degree in Epidemiology, Biostatistics, or Informatics plus three years of practical experience involving the use of epidemiological research, investigation, and analysis.
SALARY RANGE: $50,000 - $60,000
Salary proposed for this position: $56,000-$57,000
Resume with cover letter submitted by mail may be sent to:
Melanie Sommers
Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust
2800 N. Lincoln Blvd, Suite 202
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Electronic resumes MUST be received by 4:30 p.m. on closing date and may be sent to: MelanieS@tset.ok.gov.