DEPT OF HEALTH SERVICES

Address:  150 North 18th Avenue
Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Salary: 72,765 to 76,403 

Grade: 22

Closing Date: 

The Tribal Health Epidemiologist will work under the supervision of the Tribal Liaison and receive guidance from the State Epidemiologist to
effectively liaise with Tribes in Arizona on data sharing, collection, analysis, interpretation, quality improvement, and dissemination. The
primary goal of the role is to improve collaboration and data-sharing with Tribes to support Tribal public health priorities. The Tribal
Health Epidemiologist will serve as the lead for Tribal data support by providing partnership and technical assistance to support Tribes
in Arizona. Significant in-state travel for this position may be required.
This position serves as an epidemiologist II responsible for carrying out a broad and complex range of investigative and analytical
epidemiologic activities related to the data sharing, secure file transfer, create reports for Tribes, report development, and assist tribes
in surveillance, detection, and prevention of diseases and injuries occurring among their communities throughout Arizona. Works
independently providing high-level epidemiologic expertise for public health programs and Tribal health organizations and conducts
epidemiological tasks and analyses.
The primary functions of this role includes:
- Collaborate closely with the Tribes in Arizona, Tribal health departments, Indian Health Service (IHS), Tribally-Operated 638 Health
Programs, and Urban Indian Health Programs (ITUs), Tribal Epidemiology Centers (TECs), Local Health Departments, Arizona
Advisory Council on Indian Health Care, and other American Indian and Alaskan Native (AI/ANs) serving organizations and ADHS
internal programs to understand if our data can meet their needs and increase collaboration on changes going forward.
- Producing AI/AN health status report(s) based on input from Tribes; designing quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods for public
health practice and program evaluation activities.
- Conducting advanced descriptive and comprehensive analysis of surveillance and epidemiologic investigation data, adapting or
combining a variety of existing statistical methods to fulfill specific project needs for the detection and prevention of diseases and
injuries occurring among the AI/AN population throughout Arizona.
- May provide training and technical leadership and guidance and coordinate work of epidemiologists, other professional staff both
internally and with Tribes, as needed.
- Work with regional and national databases specific to AI/ANs public health reporting.
- Support the Executive Leadership Team and Tribal Liaison in working with programs that maintain datasets used to monitor the health
of the AI/AN population.
- Coordinating and conducting program planning efforts (including development, implementation and evaluation) with respect to
surveillance and other epidemiologic data.
- Planning and conducting epidemiologic studies using ADHS data, assisting as needed with outbreak investigations related to Tribes to
address practical public health problems.
- Communicating evidence-based interventions and/or control measures in response to epidemiologic findings.
- Working with the data management committee, Inter Tribal Council of Arizona Tribal Epidemiology Center, Navajo Nation Tribal
Epidemiology Center, IHS Area Offices, and Tribal epidemiologists to develop a policy on how to determine Tribal affiliation for tribal and
Department use.
- Participating in the design, management, and use of surveillance systems to better meet the needs of ADHS and Tribes;
- Serving as a scientific consultant for a public health program or project for AI/ANs populations;
- Participating in internal and external committees and workgroups related to areas of expertise for AI/AN populations;
- Participates in travel and after-hours activities including partner meetings, investigations, outbreak and emergency responses, as
needed; and
- Participating in writing grants and other funding proposals.
- Employee will be expected to make independent decisions and judgments based on their educational and professional experience
and training; this position maintains and shares information and data of a very confidential nature.

Develops and provides scientific and clinical guidance and technical assistance to tribes in Arizona, Indian
Health Service, Tribally-Operated 638 Health Programs, and Urban Indian Health Programs (ITUs), the Inter
Tribal Council of Arizona, and other health-related agencies and organizations.

Independently investigates and conducts analytical complex epidemiologic tasks. Conducts advanced
descriptive and comprehensive analysis of surveillance data. Other duties as assigned as related to the position

Support enhanced data-sharing relationships with ADHS and tribes, maintain and enhance the DSA directory with
tribes and engage in Tribal Data Sharing Workgroups.

Supports Tribes, upon request, in coordinating with internal programs to conduct epidemiologic studies and/or
outbreak investigations to address public health challenges.

Designs, manipulates and uses data for analysis of health problems to assess potential health impacts.

Travels to Tribal jurisdictions and participates in after-hours activities including partner meetings, investigation,
outbreak and emergency response as needed. Participates in writing grants, reports, and other funding
proposals.

Knowledge of:
- Advanced communication skills; oral and
written.
- Contemporary principles and practices of
epidemiology.
- Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act (HIPAA), state and local
privacy laws.
- Database management, data analysis and
program evaluation.
- Performance Management (PM), and
Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) and
Lean methodologies.
- Health and social issues facing the AI/ANs
population and desire to promote the delivery
of appropriate health services and public
health interventions to this population
- Cultural competency in working
collaboratively with AI/ANs communities.
- Indigenous data sovereignty principles and
values
- Principles and practices of public health
and health equity

Skill in:
- Research methods, procedures and
techniques used in identifying and evaluating
the health of populations, their
characteristics, contemporary medical
methods and practices, proper principles and
procedures when conducting health or
determinants surveillance and epidemiologic
investigations.
- Hold indigenous values and practices with
respect and integrity
- Collaborative partnership building and
community engagement

Ability to:
- Use critical thinking to determine whether a
public health problem exists, articulate need
for further investigation or other public health
action on statutes, rules, policy and potential
health impact.
- Collaborate with others.
- Investigate acute and chronic conditions.
- Analyze and interpret data from
surveillance and investigations and
recommend evidence-based interventions
and control measures in response to
findings.
- Support a diverse multi-cultural workforce
that reflects the community, promotes equal
opportunity at all levels of public
employment, and creates an inclusive work
environment that enables all individuals to
perform to their fullest potential free from
discrimination.

MPH/MSPH or masters in epidemiology, biostatistics, informatics, public health with 2 years of relevant epidemiology experience.
Preference given to accredited University and/or School of Public Health. Experience using statistical software, working with the
different levels of US health care system and public health system, and working with electronic public health surveillance databases.

MPH/MSPH or masters in epidemiology, biostatistics, informatics, public health with 2 years of relevant epidemiology experience.
Preference given to accredited University and/or School of Public Health. Experience using statistical software, working with the
different levels of the US health care system and public health system, and working with electronic public health surveillance databases.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:
− Affordable medical and dental insurance plans
− Paid vacation and sick time
− Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
− 10 paid holidays per year
− Wellness program and plans
− Life insurance
− Short/long-term disability insurance
− Defined retirement plan
− Award winning Infant at Work program
− Credit union membership
− Transit subsidy
− ADHS Student Assistance Pilot Program

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

- To help you build a financially secure future, the State makes monthly contributions to finance your retirement benefit. The State will make a contribution to the ASRS in an amount equal to your contribution. In other words, you and the State will each pay 50% of the total cost of the benefit. New State employees have a 27-week wait period for contributions to begin.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling (602) 542-1085. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation. DHS is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All newly hired employees will be subject to E-Verify Employment Eligibility Verification.