Monday, March 4, 2019

Asthma & Occupational Health Research Scientist


Wisconsin Department of Health Services is hiring a Research Scientist/Epidemiologist to increase the epidemiologic capacity within the Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Health (the bureau where Tracking sits too).

This position is split between the Wisconsin Asthma Program (~80%) and Wisconsin Occupational Health Program (~20%), both housed in the Environmental Epi and Surveillance Section in our bureau. 

The posting is open through 3/31/19.

Organization Logo

Health Services, Department of Asthma & Occupational Health 
Research Scientist 
Job Announcement Code(s): 19-00502
County(ies):
Dane
Classification Title: / JAC:
  Job Working Title:
RESEARCH SCIENTIST 19-00502
    Asthma & Occupational Health Research Scientist

Type of Employment:
Full Time (40 hrs/week)
Salary:
The pay is between $31.50 and $40.00 per hour (approximately between $65,520 and $83,200 per year), depending on qualifications, plus excellent benefits. The pay schedule/range is 81/02. A two year career executive trial period is required.
Contact:
Rachel Schaeffer, HR Specialist, 608-266-5426, rachel.schaeffer@dhs.wisconsin.gov 
Bargaining Unit:
Non-Represented
Area of Competition:
Open
Deadline to Apply:
3/31/2019


The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), Division of Public Health (DPH) is recruiting to fill an Asthma & Occupational Health Research Scientist position within the Bureau of Environmental & Occupational Health in Madison, Wisconsin. 
DHS is located at 1 West Wilson Street in the heart of downtown Madison, near the State Capitol, the Madison Metro route and the Capital City bike path. In addition, there are plenty of nearby restaurants, shopping venues, and Wednesday farmer's market. 
State of Wisconsin benefits include 3.9 weeks of vacation, 9 paid holidays, an ample amount of sick leave, a top rated benefits package, low cost insurance options, and an exceptional retirement plan. In addition to a top-rated benefits package, DHS also offers on-site yoga classes, an indoor walking area, and a supportive and collaborative work environment. 
This position will work Monday through Friday, daytime hours. We offer a team-orientated atmosphere and a focus on work-life balance. 

Position Summary:   
This position provides scientific and technical leadership for the Asthma Control Program and Occupational Health Surveillance Program within BEOH. The incumbent is responsible for statewide asthma and occupational safety and health surveillance systems and activities, including the compilation of asthma program performance measures, the development of occupational health indicators, and occupational disease follow-back surveillance and epidemiological investigations. The incumbent serves as Principal Investigator directing research projects and analyses to discern exposure-disease relationships involving asthma and occupational health. The incumbent leads complex analytic epidemiologic studies involving multiple large datasets. 
The incumbent reviews scientific and epidemiological literature in order to develop and refine surveillance protocols and identify strategically appropriate activities for these programs. The incumbent is a member of professional teams working to plan, maintain, and evaluate activities focused on reducing the population’s risk of adverse asthma-related health outcomes, occupational disease and exposure to workplace environmental hazards. The incumbent works to maintain and expand partnerships for the benefit of the program, sets epidemiology program priorities, and presents surveillance and investigation results to interested groups. Furthermore, the incumbent leads the development and completion of peer-reviewed manuscripts, annual reports and grant applications as they relate to the scientific conduct of the program. 
The incumbent is also responsible for serving as an epidemiologic and scientific expert within BEOH and DPH, providing scientific consultation to other programs and management on epidemiologic and statistical methodologies. The incumbent adds high-level analytic capacity to address environmental and occupational outbreaks and to mentor BEOH assignees and fellows. This position leads efforts to develop and refine BEOH health outcome measures for performance management and provides Division-level expertise to state health assessments and public health improvement activities.

Special Notes:   
All applicants who may be appointed will be required to allow the DHS to conduct a background check to determine whether the circumstances of any conviction may be related to the job being filled.

Qualifications:   
A minimally qualified applicant will have: 
  • Experience conducting environmental or occupational health surveillance activities (i.e., collection; designing/conducting analyses; interpretation of health related data; producing data summaries; rate calculations; prevalence estimates; etc.). 
  • Experience using descriptive and analytic statistics with SAS or similar software to discern exposure-disease relationships. 
  • Ability to develop/maintain strong working relationships and lead teams toward a common goal. 
  • Effective communication skills. 
A well-qualified applicant will also have: 
  • Experience leading epidemiologic investigations or conducting follow-back surveillance. 
  • Experience using advanced analytic methodologies (e.g.: multivariate regression analyses; non-parametric tests; mixed models; weighted survey analysis, etc.). 
  • Experience authoring surveillance reports, peer-reviewed manuscripts or federal grant applications. 
  • Experience working with large statewide administrative datasets (e.g.: vital records; hospitalization and emergency department data; Medicaid claims; etc.) and survey data. 
  • Experience summarizing and disseminating health data to both scientific and lay audience (e.g.: generating written reports; publications; data visualization products; oral presentations; etc.).

How To Apply:    
Click on the Preview Assessment link near the top of this announcement to view the qualifications that will be evaluated in the initial part of the selection process. 
After you have previewed the assessment and would like to apply for this position, click “Log In” to access your existing account or to create a new account if you do not already have an account in the system. After you have logged in, click “Apply Now.” You will be asked to provide your personal information. Attach your current resume and letter of qualifications (in a Word or PDF compatible format). To be considered for this position applicants must complete the online process. Failure to submit all required materials will result in an incomplete application and ineligibility for this position. Application materials will not be accepted if received in an incompatible format, an email, as a hard copy or a fax. 
Your resume and letter of qualifications are a very important part of your application at DHS and is used during our evaluation process to determine your qualifications as they relate to this job. For suggestions on what to include when developing your resume and letter of qualifications, please click here. 
Candidates that are deemed eligible will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process. If you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact the HR Specialist on this announcement. 
Permanent classified state employees who are eligible for consideration (transfer, voluntary demotion, or former employees as a reinstatement) must complete the application process to apply. 
Please note: Important communication regarding this recruitment will be sent via email. 
Veterans are encouraged to apply. For complete information on veterans’ hiring programs that may benefit you, please visit the Employment Assistance page on WDVA's website. 
DHS is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer seeking a diverse and talented workforce.