Epidemiologist

the florida department of children and families (dcf) is the state of florida’s social services agency. The agency oversees services for child safety, fostering, adoption, domestic violence, adult protective services, refugees, homelessness, mental health, substance abuse, childcare providers, human trafficking and public assistance. The agency’s mission is to work in partnership with local communities to protect the vulnerable, promote strong and economically self‑sufficient families, and advance personal and family recovery and resiliency.

within dcf, the substance abuse and mental health (samh) program office is recognized as the single state authority for substance abuse and mental health services. The office of samh is statutorily responsible for the planning, evaluation, and implementation of a comprehensive statewide system of care for the prevention, treatment, and recovery of children and adults with serious mental illnesses or substance use disorders.

to be considered for this position responses to the qualifying questions are required and must be verifiable based on your submitted application.

this is an independent and highly specialized epidemiologist position in the office of substance abuse and mental health (samh), opioid recover unit. This position will collaborate with each section within the program office and be required to use independent judgement, take initiative in carrying out duties and responsibilities and should be extraordinarily detail oriented. The epidemiologist will work to reduce the risk and negative impact of the opioid misuse disorder epidemic in florida.

• conducts public health surveillance and epidemiological investigations, documenting the impact of opioid misuse disorder epidemic in florida.
• assists in developing and implementing the florida opioid epidemic response plan. Coordinates response efforts with epidemiologists working on opioid response in other state and local health departments in florida.
  monitors community health status by conducting public health surveillance and detection-work as the lead epidemiologist for the opioid misuse disorder epidemic.
• conducts daily and weekly syndromic surveillance (securely) using multiple systems and applications. The systems are emergency room service data, forensic center data, and other sources as appropriate.
• conducts public health and epidemiological investigations.
  monitors the trends of reported drug overdose events in florida.
• links local investigations with state and federal cluster and outbreak investigations.
• evaluates mitigation actions through exercises and preparedness activities. Documents changes in the trajectory of the opioid misuse disorder epidemic as response plan is implemented.
• conducts research using existing data sources to address identified needs or gaps in local public health systems specific to opioid misuse disorder epidemic.
• performs other related duties as required or directed.

• extensive knowledge of the principles of public health surveillance and the application of epidemiological methods to public health issues.
• knowledge of infection control practices.
• ability to train, coordinate, review, and evaluate the activities of disease surveillance and investigation.
• ability to manage and manipulate large datasets using statistical packages such as sas, spss, epi info, r statistical computer software, or microsoft access and microsoft excel.
• high proficiency in statistical packages in sas, spss, epi info and arcgis.
• ability to solve problems, be internally motivated, detail-oriented, and able to multi-task.
• able to work independently and in a group to accomplish tasks with excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
• considerable knowledge of the organization of and relationships among state, county and city governments in matters relating to disease surveillance and investigation activities.
• excellent skill in communicating effectively both orally and in writing.

• a master’s degree from a college or university in public health, biology, microbiology, epidemiology or a…