Lead Epidemiologist, Long COVID Surveillance

As the Long COVID Surveillance Program Lead, you’ll take the lead in investigating post-COVID-19 syndrome across Washington State. You’ll design and conduct epidemiologic studies, uncover key risk factors, and assess the public health impact of Long COVID. Your work will drive real change in building surveillance systems, managing data linkages, and turning research into actionable policies and interventions. If you’re passionate about using data to improve health outcomes, this is your chance to lead the way.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Health Systems and Workforce Intelligence, this position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the Quadruple Aim of better care, affordable care, resilient health workforce, and better population health. Join us in shaping the future of healthcare in Washington, where every effort counts towards building healthier, more equitable communities.

Option 1: Ten years of professional experience in epidemiology research, data analysis, and public health program evaluation. 

Option 2: Masters’ degree in Epidemiology, Public Health, Health Services Research, or a related field with 12 graduate quarter hours (500 level or above) in epidemiology and 12 graduate quarter hours in biostatistics, and five (5) years of experience in epidemiology research, data analysis, and public health program evaluation.

AND the following:

• Experience designing, implementing, and managing epidemiological surveillance programs, including data collection, analysis, and reporting to inform public health decision-making. 
• Experience interacting with diverse customers and partners while demonstrating cultural, ethnic, and gender sensitivity and competence. 
• Experience building and maintaining partnerships across internal teams and external organizations.
• Experience executing epidemiologic activities within the financial and operational plan of an organization.
• Demonstrated experience in grant writing, implementation, and reporting.
• Experience promoting and upholding ethical conduct in the epidemiology practice.
• Experience leading epidemiology teams, including overseeing projects and mentoring staff.
• Advanced proficiency and practical experience utilizing data analysis tools (e.g., STATA, R, SQL, SAS) and data visualization platforms (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) in professional settings. 

Note: “Advanced proficiency” may be defined as and may include variations of the following experience:

• Data Analysis Tools: The capability to write efficient and accurate scripts, queries, and code for data cleaning, transformation, and analysis in tools such as STATA, R, SQL, or SAS.
• In-Depth Knowledge: Fully understands the features, functions, and capabilities of the tools or methods they are using.
• Efficient Execution: Can work quickly and effectively, solving complex problems with minimal guidance or reference.
• Customization: Can tailor tools, methods, or techniques to meet specific project or organizational needs, often creating new solutions or workflows.
• Data Visualization Platforms: Experience in creating dynamic, interactive, and insightful dashboards and reports using tools such as Tableau and Power BI to effectively communicate data findings to diverse audiences.
• Error Handling: Anticipates and resolves issues, debugging, or troubleshooting complex challenges confidently.
• Leadership: Can guide, train, or mentor others in using the tools or techniques and lead projects involving them.
• Innovation: Explores advanced features or methodologies to enhance processes, analysis, or outcomes, pushing beyond standard use cases.

About Washington State Department of Health

Our programs and services help prevent illness and injury, promote healthy places to live and work, provide information to help people make good health decisions and ensure our state is prepared for emergencies. To accomplish all of these, we collaborate with many partners every day. We help ensure a safer and healthier Washington by: Working to improve health through disease and injury prevention, immunization, and newborn screening Providing health and safety information, education and training so people can make healthy choices Promoting a health and wellness system where we live, learn, work, play and worship Addressing environmental health hazards associated with drinking water, food, air quality and pesticide exposure Protecting you and your family by licensing healthcare professionals, investigating disease outbreaks and preparing for emergencies

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