Data Scientist

Are you looking to use your advanced technical knowledge and skills to provide data system administration, advanced statistical analysis, and innovative ideas to support improving of health of communities? If this sounds like the position for you, we invite you to apply for our
Data Scientist (Epidemiologist III) position working with our data-driven and solutions-oriented research and epidemiology program.
The Data Scientist (Epidemiologist III)
is a Regular, Full-Time (1.0 FTE) position that provides advanced epidemiological, informatics, and geographic information systems (GIS) expertise to support the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department’s mission to protect and improve the health of all people and places in Pierce County. This position serves as a senior technical contributor within the Assessment, Evaluation, and Epidemiology (AEE) team and leads complex analytic projects requiring advanced programming, data science, statistical modeling, and spatial analysis.

This role applies tools such as R, Python, SQL, ArcGIS, and Power BI to support data-driven public health action across environmental health, behavioral and mental health, chronic disease, communicable disease, and emerging priority areas. The Data Scientist serves as a subject matter expert, working independently to design analytic approaches, modernize data systems, mentor peers, and communicate findings to technical and non-technical audiences in support of equitable health outcomes for Pierce County residents.

This advanced position is the third level of the Epidemiologist series. This role performs complex data collection and analysis and may lead Epidemiologists, and Program Analysts on a project. They work under the direction of the Assessment, Evaluation & Epidemiology (AEE) Director. An employee assigned to this classification works independently with minimal supervision. Employees in this role utilize a high level of professional judgement and serve as a subject matter expert for executive leadership and management consults.

• Epidemiologist I
• Epidemiologist II
• Epidemiologist III
• Epidemiology Supervisor

• Project Manager
• AEE Director

• Collects, manages, and interprets complex public health data. Evaluates data and data source quality.
• Manages and analyzes data, including very large datasets, using advanced statistical methods and techniques to identify patterns, trends, and emerging issues.
• Respond and adapt to changing protocols and standards in epidemiology, informatics, biostatistics, and/or other fields related to their specific expertise.
• Independently prepares and presents findings from epidemiologic investigations and analyses to diverse audiences through reports, dashboards, and other communication tools.
• Leads the design, implementation, and management of complex data collection tools, surveillance systems, and projects with multiple partners.

• Leads the design, implementation and oversight of complex epidemiological studies, surveillance systems, and program evaluations.
• Serves as a subject matter expert for advanced epidemiologic methods, statistical analysis, and applied data science techniques, including the integration of artificial intelligence and predictive analytics.
• Oversees or manages complex public health projects from conception through evaluation, including defining scope, objectives, and deliverables; creating and monitoring work plans and budgets as needed; tracking progress toward milestones, ensuring timelines and quality standards are met.
• Designs and optimizes dashboards, visualizations, and analytic tools (e.g., Power BI) to communicate data effectively to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Implements strategies that boost employee productivity, such as optimizing workflows and maximizing the use of technology and other Department resources.
• Implements project management best practices, including risk assessment, mitigation planning, and post-project evaluation to improve future workflows.
• Mentors team members and serves as a technical advisor to peers and leadership without formal supervisory responsibilities.
• Collects, manages, and…