Environmental Epidemiologist, Utah Department of Health

Do you have experience in environmental epidemiology? The Utah Department of Health needs you as an Environmental Epidemiologist/Health Assessor to join the Utah APPLETREE Program within the Environmental Epidemiology Program (EEP). The Utah APPLETREE Program is responsible for evaluating and responding to environmental public health issues and is part of a cooperative agreement with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), a federal public health agency. In this role you analyze the relationships between environmental contaminant exposures and public health outcomes by collaborating with other staff and governmental agency partners. Additionally, you respond to environmental health investigations, support emergency preparedness for environmental exposures, and work with other areas and programs to provide support as needed. You also support safe siting activities for the Utah Choose Safe Places Program for Early Care and Education centers. You collaborate and work with local health departments, tribal communities, universities, childcare providers, the public, and stakeholders throughout Utah, and state and federal partners.

Principal Duties 
As the Environmental Epidemiologist/Health Assessor, you will:

•  Design, conduct, and report on public health assessments and public health consultations, including toxicological investigations and related activities on health impacts of exposure to toxic substances in the environment statewide.
• Compile, review, analyze and interpret environmental contaminant data and laboratory results to identify possible sources of contamination and determine potential health effects and public health risk.
• Review health outcome data to evaluate potential links between site contaminants and community health outcomes.
• Respond to inquiries from the public, local health departments, or tribal communities regarding illness associated with exposures to toxicants from hazardous waste sites.
• Educate affected communities and local health professionals about site contamination and potential health effects.
• Develops educational materials and speaks to state or community groups.
• Support program efforts to implement the Utah Choose Safe Places Program and address environmental health hazards at childcare facilities.
• Participate in local, regional, and national monthly calls and conferences.
• Prepare and deliver presentations and trainings to other public agencies and organizations on various environmental health topics.
• Answer technical questions regarding data, trends or results from environmental health assessments.
• Interact with public via meetings, telephone, and field visits responding to community health concerns & analyzing health outcome data.
• Assist in the preparation of advisories, fact sheets, web content, and other marketing and educational material.
• Work collaboratively with other staff, partners, and stakeholders in the fields of epidemiology, toxicology, and environmental quality.  

The Ideal Candidate

• Must have a Bachelor’s degree or higher in Environmental Epidemiology, Toxicology, Environmental Science, Public Health, or related field.
• Must be proficient in R, SAS, or other statistical programming language, as well as Microsoft Office.
• Must have knowledge of epidemiological data collection procedures.
• Must possess knowledge of: theory, practices, methods, and techniques of epidemiology and environmental health.
• Has knowledge of exposure assessment methods used in environmental epidemiology, including biomonitoring, and geographic information system (GIS) approaches.
• Has skill in analyzing, interpreting, and evaluating epidemiological and statistical data.
• Has the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with state and federal environmental agencies, community representatives, and the media.
• Has substantial oral and written communication skills.
• Is adept at community outreach and knowledgeable of health education.

Why You Should Join Our Team
This is an opportunity to make a difference. Along with the satisfaction of working with environmental epidemiologists, scientists, and policymakers to support Utah’s healthcare facilities in improving their infection control programs – you will receive great health and retirement benefits, such as, generous paid time off so you can have a positive work life balance. Click here to view a summary of all the benefits we offer.

The Agency 
 To learn more about the APPLETREE Program within the EEP, click here. If offered this position, your continued employment will be contingent upon passing a fingerprint background check.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions:

• The typical office setting for this job is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated. However, you may encounter some risks that are associated with any office setting, for example, the safe use of office equipment, avoiding trips and falls, observing fire regulations, etc.
• Standard Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Physical Requirements:

• Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform the work; however, there may be some walking; standing; bending; carrying light items; driving an automobile, etc. Special physical demands are not required to perform the work.

How to Apply:

To learn more and apply to this position click here!