Job Description
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Arlington County requires all applicants to thoroughly complete each section of the application, including prior job responsibilities, duties, and supplemental questions. While you may attach a resume, it will not replace a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Arlington County is seeking an experienced epidemiologist to serve on the Opioids Program Team. The opioid programs include outpatient treatment for individuals with a primary diagnosis of opioid use disorder through the medication for opioid use disorder treatment program, OBOT (office based opioid treatment) and the opioid continuum of care program. In addition, the opioid programs is responsible for coordinating the county's opioid response by managing the county's community coalition, Arlington Addiction Recovery Initiative (AARI). AARI focuses on prevention, treatment, and recovery which includes activities like overdose response, outreach and engagement, and community education.
The position is intended to support the work of AARI by tracking drug trends. The position will analyze local, regional, and national data to ensure evidence-based practices are implemented in an equitable, data-informed manner. Through cross-sector partnerships, the epidemiologist will review emerging drug trends and inform the community about the safety concerns these trends pose. The position will support the existing work of increasing the community's understanding of addiction and decreasing stigma surrounding this and ensuring that all Arlington residents have equitable access to treatment and support.
Arlington County DHS is committed to delivering client services in an effective, equitable, respectful, and trauma-informed manner. Our staff is dedicated to ensuring our clients are approached, engaged and treated in ways that demonstrate competency, sensitivity and awareness of factors which impact the client experience including but not limited to cultural identity, gender, racial, and ethnic diversity, religious/spiritual ascription, physical capability, cognitive and literacy levels, sexual orientation, and linguistic needs.
Responsibilities Specific duties include:
- Reviews local, state, and federal data sources on overdose rates, drug related illnesses and deaths, and new and novel drug trends, determines relevance to Arlington County and communicate important data points to DHS staff, partners, and community and provide in-service trainings to department staff;
- Provides oversight of strategic plan implementation and aids with strategic plan review and updates;
- Creates data collection tools/surveys as needed, and oversees data collection, conducts data analysis, reports findings, and recommends appropriate responses to substance use trends and/or crises;
- Establishes and maintains communications and professional working relationships within DHS, with the regional epidemiologists or public health analysts, other health departments, local hospital, and private physicians who may benefit from substance use information;
- Determines and oversees spike alert communication; and
- Maintains professional skills and competencies and participates in BHD required activities and trainings.
The ideal candidate will have strategic thinking, skilled data analysis, skills utilizing data collection & analysis technology, experience participating in and/or facilitating a coalition group, strong communication and public speaking skills.
Qualifications Minimum: - Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor of Science degree in a public health field, epidemiology or related field, plus
- Some experience in program administration and/or program management experience in epidemiology to include experience related to communicable diseases, preferably in a public health setting
Substitution: Additional qualifying experience may substitute for the education on a year-for-year basis.
Desirable: Preference may be given to applicants with one or more of the following:
- Master's degree in public health with graduate focus in addiction, education, and/or epidemiology;
- Experience with opioid use disorder and addressing the opioid epidemic.;
- Experience developing and providing presentations in front of diverse audiences
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Your responses to the supplemental questionnaire are considered part of the selection process and are required for this position. Please do not give "see resume" as a response to the questions. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Work Hours: 9:00 am to 5:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Some evening, weekend or holiday work will be required. Some telework and flexwork is allowed upon approval.
This is a Limited Term position expected to last at least 3 years.
A pre-hire background check will be made on all candidates who are selected for employment. It may include checks of the following: criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure, and credit history. You may be required to sign a release authorizing the County to obtain your background information.
Job Tags
Full time, Work at office, Local area, Remote work, Monday to Friday, Afternoon shift,