Epidemiologist

**JR100704**

**Key Responsibilities**:

- Designs and coordinates population health assessment and/or surveillance data-extraction processes to provide timely information to PHO and its key stakeholders, either as part of regular reporting activities, or on an as-needed basis for special purposes.
- Designs and conducts complex data retrievals to meet health information requirements from key stakeholders, reporting obligations and to support the conduct of epidemiologic research and routine operations.
- Develops analytic code and performs complex manipulation of large datasets, using statistical software (SAS and/or R preferred)
- Analyzes and prepares current data to enable and support decision-making processes for PHO and its stakeholders; responds to requests from stakeholders.
- Provides expertise to support the programs and services, epidemiologic research, population health assessment and surveillance activities of PHO geared at generating scientific and technical knowledge for evidence based communication, decision making, planning and implementation of public health policies and programs.
- Identifies appropriate data sources and monitors current local, provincial, national and international trends in epidemiologic activity and reports in a timely manner.
- Liaises as necessary with stakeholders and resources in various health sector, research and regulatory institutions, and builds strong working relationships between these and PHO.
- Presents findings, initiatives and relevant PHO activities at local, regional, national and international forums as appropriate.
- Liaises with government, public health, research and academic institutions to contribute to, and keep apprised of best practices in surveillance methodology, information and reporting tools.
- Contributes to project planning and develops analytical plans for research projects and population health assessments, including identifying the most appropriate statistical analyses to meet the project objectives (e.g., linear regression, logistic regression).
- Writes clear and accurate scientific and technical publications to communicate trends, investigative findings and research initiatives to internal audience and the broader public health community as appropriate.
- Reviews and critically appraises reports, journal articles, and other scientific documents, including assessment of statistical methods.

**Knowledge and Skills**:

- Knowledge of and skills in disease surveillance, research, statistics, disease control and public health and working with infectious and non-infectious diseases data sources, running surveillance systems, procuring data, preparing reports and editing reports with scientific rigour.
- Experience informing public health policy and practice, having contributed to the introduction and implementation of new initiatives.
- Knowledge of, and skills in methods used routinely for analyzing data including sample size calculations, comparison of categorical and continuous data, stratification and pooling of odds ratios, multivariate analysis.
- Knowledge and understanding of relevant regulations and regulatory trends in epidemiology, public health and surveillance.
- Knowledge of PHO’s mandate, relevant legislation such as the HPPA and PHIPPA and the Ontario Public Health Standards.
- Organizational and project management skills to prioritize effectively and meet competing deadlines
- Skills in organizing a research study from conception, through design to reporting.
- Ability to critically evaluate and synthesize relevant sources of information.
- Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and data management skills.

**Education and Experience**:

- Masters degree in Epidemiology, Community Health or related field.
- Minimum 2-4 years of experience as an epidemiologist in a public health or related setting.
- Experience with chronic disease data sources (e.g., CCHS, DAD, NACRS, OMHRS, CHSCY, CAMH Monitor, Statistics Canada population data) is preferred.
- Experience in managing large databases and personal health information and analyzing these data using statistical software packages (SAS and/or R preferred).

**Attributes and Competencies**:

- Communications and interpersonal skills to work with a diverse stakeholder group, building public health, research, academic, institutional, government, and professional networks.
- Writing and editing skills to prepare and review PHO reports, briefing notes, letters, manuscripts, and position papers.
- Presentation skills to communicate complex data and principles to a variety of stakeholders at varying literacy.
- Sound judgment and ability to handle matters of a confidential/sensitive nature
- Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
- Maintains contact with content experts throughout the PHO to discuss their epidemiologic needs and advise on methods to organize, access and disseminate the data.
- Maintains collaborative efforts with content experts throughout