Tobacco Epidemiologist

The CDC Foundation helps the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) save and improve lives by unleashing the power of collaboration between CDC, philanthropies, corporations, organizations and individuals to protect the health, safety and security of America and the world. The CDC Foundation is the go-to nonprofit authorized by Congress to mobilize philanthropic partners and private-sector resources to support CDC’s critical health protection mission. Since 1995, the CDC Foundation has raised over $1.9 billion and launched more than 1,300 programs impacting a variety of health threats from chronic disease conditions including cardiovascular disease and cancer, to infectious diseases like rotavirus and HIV, to emergency responses, including COVID-19 and Ebola. The CDC Foundation managed hundreds of programs in the United States and in more than 90 countries last year. Visit www.cdcfoundation.org for more information.  

Position Highlights:

POSITION TITLE: Tobacco Epidemiologist 1

LOCATION: Remote 

POSITION END DATE: 6/30/25

SALARY: up to $80,000 (plus benefits)

OVERVIEW

The CDC Foundation is seeking an Epidemiologist to assist with surveillance and evaluation efforts for the Office of Statistics and Evaluation (OSE) within the Bureau of Community Health and Prevention (BCHAP) at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH). This position will support The Massachusetts Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Program (MTCP), a statewide public health problem focused on comprehensive approaches to reducing tobacco and nicotine use. MTCP works to prevent young people from starting to use tobacco, helps current users quit, protects children and adults from exposure to secondhand smoke, and identifies tobacco-related disparities. MTCP acknowledges the history of structural racism and its impact on health. We are committed to improving the quality of life for all Commonwealth residents while eliminating the inequities that threaten the lives of all, but particularly impact communities of color who are disproportionately affected by chronic diseases and their risk factors, including commercial tobacco use and exposure.

This position, under the supervision of the Senior Tobacco Epidemiologist II, will provide support for data collection, surveillance, program evaluation, policy evaluation, data analysis, visualization, interpretation and dissemination for MTCP.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

•Master’s degree in public health or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.

•At least two (2) years of relevant work experience performing epidemiologic work or work in a closely related field.

•Knowledge of social determinants of health and a strong commitment to health and racial equity.

•Knowledge of equity, and how it impacts access to resources and health. 

•Knowledge of the principles and practices of epidemiology including methods of statistical and scientific report writing, research methods and techniques 

•Knowledge of program and policy evaluation.

•Knowledge of the principles of biology and pathogenesis of diseases.

•Knowledge of the utilization of computer hardware, software and informatics

•Skill in analyzing and determining the applicability of epidemiologic and demographic data to draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.

•Competence in calculating age-adjusted, crude, age, and sex-specific rates of disease or exposure and to select appropriate tests of significance to apply to findings.

•Ability to maintain accurate records.

•Ability to prepare statistical reports.

•Ability to determine the proper format and procedure for assembling items of information.

•Understanding process of collecting and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data.

•Proficiency in establishing and maintaining harmonious and collaborative working relationships with others.

•Ability to adjust to changing situations to meet emergency or changing program or production requirements.

•Strong oral and written communication skills, and experience working in groups and collaborating with others.

•Ability to give oral and written instructions in a precise and understandable manner.

•Ability to make effective oral presentations.

•Ability to independently coordinate projects, tasks, and activities.

•Ability to establish rapport with others and deal tactfully with others.

•Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with others.

•Ability to exercise sound judgment.

•Ability to obtain information through questioning others.

•Ability to accurately record information provided orally.

•Ability to gather information by examining records and documents.

•Ability to understand, explain and apply the laws, rules, and regulations, policies, procedures, specifications, standards, and guidelines governing assigned unit activities

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

•Experience implementing qualitative and quantitative research methods used in public health practice 

•Experience managing, cleaning, and analyzing complex data sets 

•Experience handling and maintaining protected health information (PHI)

•Experience with the following software:  SAS, Tableau, Excel, ArcGIS, NVivo

•Proficiency in SAS coding and the manipulation of data utilizing SAS.

•Knowledge of chronic disease epidemiology

•Familiarity with epidemiologic trends, emerging issues, and key challenges around tobacco prevention and cessation specific to Massachusetts.

•Knowledge of survey development and use of data collection software (e.g., RedCap, Microsoft Forms).

•Familiarity with statewide surveillance data sources (e.g., BRFSS, YRBS, case mix, vital records)

•Experience analyzing and contextualizing data within the context of historical and structural racism.

•Understanding of issues relative to surveillance data systems

•Willingness and ability to learn, develop, and apply new analytic data skills and technical skills (e.g., GIS mapping software, propensity scoring).

•Experience presenting complex data and statistical analyses to technical and lay audiences via poster or oral presentations.

•Experience preparing manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals.

•Excellent oral and written communication skills

RESPONSIBILITIES

•Conduct computer-based data collection and analysis using the following software: SAS, Excel, REDCap, Tableau, NVivo, and ArcGIS

•Using SAS, analyze statewide, national, and program data sources to identify prevalence and risk factors for tobacco use, access, secondhand smoke exposure, and cessation behavior among different priority populations. 

•Utilize ArcGIS, Tableau, and/or other mapping/data visualization software to create maps, data visualization dashboards, and spatial analyses to support programmatic decision making and data requests. 

•Provide evaluation and CDC reporting support by compiling metrics from disparate data sources.

•Thoroughly engage with literature to conduct literature reviews on important and emerging topics related to vaping, tobacco-related disparities, tobacco policies, and other topics.

•Support survey instrument development by researching existing survey questions or developing new questions.

•Prepare descriptive and analytic dissemination products that include graphs, charts, tables, and GIS maps.

•Provide data, technical assistance, and present findings to both internal staff and external stakeholders on relevant surveillance and program data. 

•Respond in a timely and accurate way to internal and external data requests. 

•Create and/or assist in the development of abstracts, peer-reviewed publications, and presentations of programmatic findings.

•Apply an equity lens to program evaluation, including assessing adequacy of data sources and performing analyses to measure impact of DPH activities on equity.

•Utilize data to inform health equity approaches in programming, and educate and inform key stakeholders, including the public, on these issues.

•Give oral presentations of data findings to internal (DPH) and external audiences.

•Participate in internal meetings and external training opportunities.

•Participate in key meetings, internal and external working groups, and conferences within BCHAP/OSE, as well as local and national webinars and conferences.

•Participate in Division, Bureau, OSE, and Department related health equity and racial equity trainings, workgroups, and activities. 

•Collaborate with other epidemiologists within the Bureau of Community Health and Prevention (BCHAP) to support cross-cutting work and community-based initiatives. 

•Perform other duties as required (including in-state and occasional out-of-state travel)

Special Notes:

This role is involved in a dynamic public health program. As such, roles and responsibilities are subject to change as situations evolve. Roles and responsibilities listed above may be expanded upon or updated to match priorities and needs, once written approval is received by both the CDC Foundation and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health in order to best support the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in their public health programming.

This position is currently a remote position. CDC Foundation retains the right to make adjustments to this as required. 

The CDC Foundation is a smoke-free environment. 

Relocation expenses are not included. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, mental or physical disabilities, veteran status, and all other characteristics protected by law.

We comply with all applicable laws including E.O. 11246 and the Vietnam Era Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 governing employment practices and do not discriminate on the basis of any unlawful criteria in accordance with 41 C.F.R. §§ 60-300.5(a)(12) and 60-741.5(a)(7). As a federal government contractor, we take affirmative action on behalf of protected veterans.

The CDC Foundation is a smoke-free environment.

Relocation expenses are not included.