Epidemiologist/Population Health Specialist

Agency : Department of Public Health 
Office: Racial & Cultural Health Equity

Division: Minority Health

Posting ID: 15-24-0138
Posted: 06/13/2024 - 7/2/2024
Salary:  $7,712-$11,759/month
Job Type: Salaried 
County:  Sangamon
Number of Vacancies: 1
Plan/BU: RC063

As a State of Illinois Employee, you will receive a robust benefit package that includes the following:

• Flexible and hybrid work schedules are available in many program areas (when available and dependent upon position)
• Competitive Group Insurance benefits including health, life, dental and vision plans.
• Pension plan through the State Employees Retirement System
• Deferred Compensation Program – voluntary supplemental retirement plan
• Optional pre-tax programs -Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP) & Dependent Care Assistant Plan (DCAP)
• 10-25 days of paid vacation time annually (10 days for first year of state employment)
• 12 paid sick days annually which carryover year to year
• 3 paid personal business days per calendar year (pro-rated dependent on start date)
• 13-14 paid holidays per year
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• Employee Assistance Program and/or mental health resources
• Tuition Reimbursement Program and Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility

These are just a few of the many perks available to all State employees. For more information about our benefits please follow this link: 

This position is a union position; therefore, provisions of the relevant collective bargaining agreement/labor contract apply to the filling of this position.

All applicants who want to be considered for this position MUST apply electronically through the illinois.jobs2web.com website. State of Illinois employees should click the link near the top left to apply through the SuccessFactors employee career portal.

Applications submitted via email or any paper manner (mail, fax, hand delivery) will not be considered.

Posting Identification Number:

15-24-0138

Agency Marketing Statement

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is tasked with the oversight of communities within Illinois to achieve and maintain optimal health and safety. With an annual budget of over $2 billion in state and federal funds, 6 regional offices, 3 laboratories and over 1,200 employees, IDPH is equipped to fulfill its mission of protecting the health and wellness of the people of Illinois through the prevention, health promotion, regulation and control of disease and injury.

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Public Health is seeking a highly motivated and innovative individual to perform qualitative and quantitative research and analysis on population health outcomes including the impact of social determinants on minority health and health equity. This position serves under direction of the Division Chief of the Center for Minority Health Services, and is responsible for developing studies, preparing descriptive and analytical reports, charts, studies, and scientific publications using various data sources, and presenting findings. The individual is also responsible for undertaking quality control activities and identifying data reporting and evaluation needs for the Division and other IDPH programs.

Job Responsibilities

1. Uses quantitative and qualitative analysis to perform descriptive and/or analytic studies on population health using information from IDPH programs and other state, federal, community, and local and national institutions and organizations.

• Develops, designs and conducts highly technical planning and analytical studies of highly complex agency wide health surveillance.

2. Conducts literature reviews pertaining to minority health, health disparities, and social determinant issues.

• Assists in preparing reports.
• Makes presentations on study findings.
• Develops and implements policy.

3. Designs specialized geospatial surveillance data activities to understand the health impact of populations living in poor, rural, and minority communities.

• Generates reports, infographics, dashboards, and presentations as required for special projects, federal/state required monitoring & reporting, and community outreach.

4. Uses established scientific and technical methods and practices to identify health disparities and social determinants of health.

• Collaborates with internal and external researchers to share content and apply findings to the solution of problems.

Job Responsibilities (cont)

5. Participates in developing special studies of the possible causal relationships of social determinants and human health effects.

6. Participates in epidemiologic and health informatic training/meetings:

• Participates monthly in the regional Health Disparities Data Workgroup.
• Learns from trainings offered by other epidemiologist/health informaticians.

7. Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Requires possession of a Bachelor’s degree in epidemiology, health informatics, demography, bio-statistics, sociology, psychology, economics or related social science research field from an accredited university.
2. Requires three years of professional experience in applied epidemiology, health informatics, biostatistics, population or a related research field.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Master’s degree in public health (MPH), or a Master of Science degree in public health (MSPH)), with a focus on epidemiology, health informatics, or analysis and assessment or a degree in Health Informatics (MHI).
2. One year of experience using statistical software such as SAS, SPSS, STATA, ArcGIS, Tableau, and Epilnfo.
3. One year of experience analyzing data from epidemiologic investigations or studies.
4. One year of experience summarizing results and drawing conclusions from epidemiologic investigations or studies.
5. One year of experience preparing written reports, data analysis and visualization, and oral presentations.
6. One year of experience with health equity and social determinants of health.

Work Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm
Work Location: 535 W Jefferson St Springfield, IL 62702-5076
Agency Contact:

Posting Group: Leadership & Management

This position DOES NOT contain “Specialized Skills” (as that term is used in CBAs).

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Use the “Apply” button at the top right or bottom right of this posting to begin the application process.

If you are not already signed in, you will be prompted to do so. 

State employees should sign in to the career portal for State of Illinois employees – a link is available at the top left of the  Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon. 

Non-State employees should log in on the using the “View Profile” link in the top right of the  Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon. If you have never before signed in, you will be prompted to create an account.

If you have questions about how to apply, please see the following resources:

State employees: Log in to the career portal for State employees and review the Internal Candidate Application Job Aid

Non-State employees: on Illinois.jobs2web.com – click “Application Procedures” in the footer of every page of the website.

The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your “junk mail”, “spam”, or “other” folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses: