Position Title: Lead Epidemiologist - Data Strategy & Disease Surveillance

Salary: Hourly: $50.48 || Annual $105,000.00

How to Apply:

Applications are submitted online until the position is filled and/or the posting is closed. After reviewing this job announcement, please click on the link at the bottom of the page to apply online. A resume is required with the application. Further instructions on submission of documents are available in the online application. A resume may not be substituted for an application.



Minimum Requirements:

Master’s degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, or a closely related field from an accredited institution and at least ten (10) years of progressive experience in public health practice with a focus on infectious and/or chronic disease surveillance, epidemiologic analysis, or data systems management. 


  • Preferred: Doctoral-level degree (e.g., PhD, DrPH, ScD, MD, or DO) in epidemiology, public health, medicine, or a related field and at least five (5) years of leadership or supervisory experience in a governmental public health agency or large health system. 
  • Preferred but not required: Possession of a current, unrestricted license to practice medicine or osteopathy in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 


Education & School Transcripts

If you are claiming education to meet minimum requirements or as a part of your application, including supplemental questions, you must submit or attach a copy of your official college transcripts for your claim to be accepted. Unofficial Transcripts will not be accepted. 

Condition of Employment

It is the policy of Allegheny County that in order to receive a final offer of employment, candidates must successfully pass a background check, which includes verification of Allegheny County Real Estate Tax status, and drug/medical examinations as required for the position. The pre-employment drug screen must be completed within 48 hours of the acceptance of the conditional offer of employment.

Employment Type

  • Full-Time, Senior Level
  • Grant funded positions are contingent upon grant funding


Relevant Experience

You will receive a score based on the experience you report on your application for employment. It is therefore important that you provide complete and accurate information. Failure to do so may delay the processing of your application or result in a lower than deserved score or disqualification. Call our Office of Human Resource Management if you have any questions.

Who is Eligible

Applications will be accepted from certified Merit System employees of the Allegheny County Health Department and outside candidates who possess the experience and training listed in this announcement and who are capable of performing the duties of this position.

Weights

  • Minimum Requirements: 50%
  • Relevant Experience: 35%
  • Supplemental Questions: 15%


Supplemental Questions

Per the weights (above), the responses to these questions are a significant portion of how an application is scored and hold high value in screening candidates. For these pre-interview questions, in order to provide a thorough/full answer, a typical structure to an interview answer is recommended to be used, i.e. STAR approach (1. Situation/Setting, 2. Task(s) that you were tasked to do, 3. Actions which you took, 4. The result(s) of your actions).

You may upload as a Word document answers to the supplemental questions in the “Upload Page” of the application. Make sure to note “See attached” after the statement on the application form if you are attaching a separate document. If you are unable to upload the document, email to ACHD Human Resources Department.


  1. Describe a time when you led the development or modernization of a public health surveillance system or data infrastructure. Include any challenges you faced, how you collaborated with stakeholders, and outcomes achieved. (Limit: 300 words) 
  2. Share an example of how you contributed to the response of a public health outbreak or emergency. What was your role in guiding the surveillance or response? How did your epidemiologic insight influence decision-making? (Limit: 300 words) 
  3. How have you used epidemiologic data to identify and address health disparities in a population? Please describe the methods you used, partnerships involved, and how your work informed policy, programming, or resource allocation. (Limit: 300 words) 


Allegheny County Civil Service Employees (Non-ACHD)

Regular or probationary employees of County Departments currently in this classification, hired under a State Civil Service System, who apply for this position will not be considered as Open Competitive applicants. Those employees selected for transfer to the Allegheny County Health Department will be considered to have resigned their Civil Service status from the Department in which they are currently working and will be required to complete a probationary period with the Health Department.

This announcement may be modified, amended or canceled by the Allegheny County Health Department at any time.

Purpose

To establish open competitive and promotional eligible lists for use in making merit system appointments in the Allegheny County Health Department. The list will contain the names of successful candidates ranked in the order of final earned ratings. The list will be in effect for one (1) year unless previously exhausted or superseded.

In the ranking, open competitive applicants qualifying for Veteran’s Preference receive an additional ten points on the final earned rating. Form DD-214 must be attached to the application form for consideration for Veteran’s Preference. Determination of Veteran’s Preference is made in accordance with State Civil Service Policy.

If you are claiming veteran's preference, then proof of eligibility; DD-214 Form or other comparable military document must be submitted for initial claim. The document must show dates of entry and separation and character of service.

Credit for a degree or college coursework can only be accepted from an official transcript submitted directly from the college or university to Allegheny C0unty Health Department.

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

#INDSJ


Position Summary:

The Lead Epidemiologist for Data Strategy and Disease Surveillance is a senior-level public health leader responsible for directing the Allegheny County Health Department’s (ACHD) integrated approach to disease surveillance, epidemiologic investigations, and data modernization. This position oversees the Office of Data Reporting and Disease Control, guiding the development of innovative, equity-focused surveillance systems that inform public health policies, emergency responses, and strategic initiatives, including the Plan for a Healthier Allegheny. The role involves extensive cross-sector collaboration, analytic leadership, and public health intelligence to improve population health outcomes and address disparities. 



Overview:

Fringe Benefits

  • Paid holidays, personal days, vacation and sick leave benefits, medical coverage and dental benefits, a retirement plan, life insurance and a deferred compensation plan after eligibility requirements have been met.


Perks Working for ACHD

  • Professional growth through training opportunities (CPR, First AID, Public Health Preparedness, Dignity and Respect, Points of Dispensing, and more); ability to advance in county system; job security; meaningfulness in daily work derived from public service; eligible for federal loan forgiveness; organizational commitment to ACHD’s mission to protect, promote, and preserve the health and well-being of all Allegheny County residents, particularly the most vulnerable.

Duties:

  • Lead the design, implementation, and evaluation of surveillance systems for infectious and chronic diseases. 
  • Develop and oversee ACHD’s data strategy, including system modernization, interoperability, and data governance. 
  • Serve as the lead epidemiologic advisor for public health emergencies, outbreaks, and rapid response situations. 
  • Supervise and mentor epidemiologists, analysts, and related public health personnel. 
  • Translate epidemiologic findings into strategic policy guidance, public messaging, and program recommendations. 
  • Ensure compliance with reporting requirements at local, state, and federal levels (e.g., notifiable disease reporting, HIPAA). 
  • Collaborate with external stakeholders (e.g., PA DOH, CDC, academic institutions, hospitals) to enhance surveillance efforts. 
  • Monitor disease burden and disparities; support health equity initiatives through epidemiologic insights. 
  • Contribute to emergency preparedness planning, drills, and real-time operational response. 
  • Prepare and present technical reports, outbreak summaries, and health alerts with scientific accuracy and accessibility. 
  • Provide strategic input to ACHD leadership on resource allocation and public health priorities. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

  • Principles and practices of epidemiology, preventive medicine, and public health surveillance. 
  • Modern public health informatics systems and data analysis tools (e.g., ESSENCE, SAS, R, ArcGIS). 
  • Federal, state, and local laws governing public health practice, disease reporting, and data privacy. 
  • Principles of emergency preparedness and epidemiologic response operations. 
  • Emerging trends in chronic and infectious disease surveillance, and health disparities 

Skill in:

  • Advanced data interpretation, analysis, and epidemiologic modeling. 
  • Strategic planning and systems-level thinking for public health data infrastructure. 
  • Clear and impactful communication (written, verbal, visual) for technical and general audiences. 
  • Stakeholder engagement and coalition-building across government, academic, and community sectors. 
  • Supervisory and team leadership skills within interdisciplinary public health teams.

Ability to:

  • Lead complex surveillance programs and multidisciplinary public health projects. 
  • Translate data into actionable insights that inform policy, operations, and communication. 
  • Respond rapidly and effectively to public health emergencies and emerging threats. 
  • Apply equity frameworks to surveillance systems and analytic approaches. 
  • Exercise sound judgment and independence in high-pressure or uncertain environments. 
  • Travel locally and respond to after-hours public health events, as needed. 

Residency: Allegheny County within 1 year.
Veterans' Preference: Will be awarded to eligible candidates.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER - M/F/V/D