CHIEF OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
DIVISION OF PUBLIC HEALTH
CITY OF WORCESTER

The City of Worcester seeks qualified applicants for the position of Chief of Epidemiology (Chief of Epidemiology and Health Protection) for the Public Health Division within the Office of Health and Human Services (HHS). Under the direction of the Deputy Director of Public Health, the Chief of Epidemiology will perform oversight of the data, research, and epidemiology office to advance capabilities for the Worcester Division of Public Health. This position will have specific duties as it relates to public health functions, programs and/or activities. The Chief of Epidemiology will support ongoing community health assessment (CHA) processes, assist with community partner requests for data support, coordinate the data and research needs of other Division offices as well as provide evaluation support to Division programs. Advancing the Health Equity mission of the Division, the Chief of Epidemiology will apply a lens of racial and economic justice to all work, identifying opportunities to highlight inequities where they exist and providing crucial data to decision-makers. Working primarily with secondary quantitative data, this position will foster partnerships with secondary and tertiary educational institutions to engage in community-based participatory research as well as coordinate primary data collection such as the Regional Youth Health Survey. This position will also integrate qualitative data as part of the ongoing community health assessment. The Chief of Epidemiology will work collaboratively with other Division Chiefs to help inform short- and long-term planning efforts within the department, including workforce development, quality improvement and performance management. The position will also work with Division staff, external community partners, and other City Departments.

Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS:

• Engage and collaborate with local educational institutions to advance data and research capabilities.
• Lead ongoing community health assessment processes in Worcester.
• Build and sustain partnerships with area academic institutions.
• Identify opportunities for expanded research and epidemiology capacity within the Division.
• Routinely update dashboards, databases, etc. to keep the public and partners informed of ongoing Public Health needs.
• Participate in and advise evaluation efforts for Division, Department, and partner organization programs.
• Participate in local coalitions and work groups to align collaborative data and research efforts.
• Identify training and professional development opportunities to maintain personal and staff expertise in the essential Public Health area of epidemiology.
• Oversee the work of the Division’s Staff Epidemiologist
• Participate in budget development, spending, tracking, and reporting.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and strong public speaking skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently, exercise good judgment and make sound decisions.
• Ability to follow both oral and written instructions.
• Ability to think critically and problem solve.
• Ability to conduct research and to prepare detailed and accurate written quantitative reports.
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment, complete assignments in a detailed, timely and organized manner.
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Excellent data processing skills.
• Strong research and analytical skills, strong math skills.
• Ability to use digital documents, filing systems and maintain accurate records.
• Experience working with data using SAS, STATA, or geographic information systems (GIS).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse, multicultural community, organizations, and staff.
• Ability to conceptualize and organize projects into manageable tasks.
• Ability to support administrative activities to include financial and information technology.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Master’s degree in Public Health, Nursing, Community Health or a related health field with a focus on epidemiology or data science
• Three (3) years of experience in epidemiology or public health research
• Three (3) years of experience analyzing data using SAS, STATA, MS EXCEL, or geographic information systems (GIS)
• Prior experience with manipulating, reporting on, and visualizing quantitative data
• Familiarity with health equity and anti-racism frameworks
• Familiarity with the social determinants of health and the life-course perspective
• Prior experience working with diverse populations
• Prior experience with managing federal, state or local grants and contracts
• Prior experience developing and maintaining professional working relationships with community-based organizations.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Five (5) years of experience in epidemiology or local public health
• Five (5) years of experience working with health equity and anti-racism frameworks
• Five (5) years of experience evaluating state and/or federal grant projects
• Five (5) years of experience developing and maintaining professional working relationships with community-based and/or public health organizations
• Five (5) years of experience analyzing data using SAS, STATA, MS EXCEL, or geographic information systems (GIS)
• Three (3) years of experience managing federal, state or local grants and contracts

SALARY RANGE: $76,556 - $100,015 annually, full-time, exempt with an excellent benefits package.

To apply, please visit: www.worcesterma.gov/employment or send resume and cover letter to: City of Worcester, 455 Main Street, Room 109, Worcester, MA 01608. OPEN UNTIL FILLED, applications received prior to or on FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2025, will receive preference. Preference is given to Worcester residents. The City of Worcester is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. Direct inquiries to: City Hall, Human Resources, Room 109, 508-799-1030, Hiring@worcesterma.gov.