Substance Use Epidemiologist II

Job Details

Job Location:

Main HQ Center City 650 - Philadelphia, PA 19109

Position Type:
Full Time Education Level: Graduate Degree Salary Range: $70,000.00 - $75,000.00

Travel Percentage:
None Job Shift: Day Job Category:
Health Care

Equal Opportunity Employer – The Health Federation of Philadelphia is committed to equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion, disability, sex or gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, military or veteran status. This commitment applies to all aspects of our employment practices, including recruiting, hiring, training, and promotion.

This position provides epidemiological and analytical data support to the Division of Substance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction (SUPHR) at the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH). SUPHR’s mission is to prevent drug‑related deaths and associated harms by promoting the dignity, autonomy, and health of people who use drugs.

The person filling this position is responsible for collecting, managing, visualizing, and analyzing substance‑use‑related datasets (e.g., overdose mortality data, Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4) data, surveillance drug‑checking data, Emergency Medical Services data, etc.). This position will report directly to the Epidemiology Manager and will work closely with other data staff, harm reduction specialists, and Emergency Medical Services staff.

• Abstract, clean, and analyze substance‑use related datasets.
• Perform routine data matches between substance‑use‑related datasets.
• Lead the development and refinement of data visualization activities, including data dashboards and reports, both internal and public‑facing.
• Develop and maintain data collection systems (e.g., REDCap databases).
• Lead the fulfillment of internal and external requests for data.
• Obtain and manage Institutional Review Board (IRB) approvals when required.
• Identify barriers in overdose surveillance efforts and provide suggestions to improve surveillance, including recommendations for improving data collection processes.
• Oversee collection and timely reporting of grant‑required data submissions.
• Serve as a representative for grantee teleconferences/meetings.
• Conduct novel analyses using substance‑use‑related datasets.
• Assist data staff in analysis and surveillance projects within the unit.
• Assist in the coordination and management of routine surveillance epidemiology meetings.
• Provide support to 1-2 student interns and/or entry‑level data staff, when applicable.
• Summarize analytic findings for presentation at scientific conferences and publication in technical and scientific journals.
• Contribute to reports and presentations for funders, local stakeholders, and city officials.
• Generate data summaries for public reports, grant applications, and public data requests.
• Other duties as assigned.

Completion of a Master of Public Health Degree program at an accredited college or university in Epidemiology or a related field that includes a minimum of two graduate‑level courses in Epidemiology or two comparable graduate‑level classes in advanced research methodology and two graduate‑level courses in statistics or biostatistics.

• A minimum of 2-5 years of experience as an epidemiologist (or related work) in an academic, public, or private setting.
• Knowledge of substance use and drug‑related terminology.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Experience with database development (REDCap preferred).
• Experience with mapping software (ArcGIS preferred).
• Strong data visualization skills, including dashboard and report creation (R, or Tableau preferred).
• Strong data management and analytical abilities using statistical analysis software (SAS preferred).
• Knowledge of the principles and procedures of epidemiological research, including study design or epidemiological surveys, theory and application of epidemiological methodologies, principles and methods of biostatistics, and preparation…