Birth Defect Epidemiologist Senior - Epidemiologist Senior

Temporary unclassified position anticipated to end April 30, 2028. Open to all qualified job seekers. Telework eligible up to 50% for applicants residing in Minnesota or within 50 miles of the St. Paul work location.

About the role

The Birth Defects Epidemiologist Senior is located in the Birth Defects Monitoring and Analysis (BDMA) unit within the Children and Youth with Special Health Needs (CYSHN) section of the Child and Family Health (CFH) division. This role provides essential epidemiological capacity for the development, implementation, and maintenance of the Birth Defects Information System.

Working closely with the Birth Defects Epidemiologist Principal, this position will develop and implement plans for data collection, data linkage, quality control, and evaluation for the birth defects surveillance system, including database management, interoperability, reporting, and related projects. The role involves analyzing birth defects data, synthesizing results into written reports, published papers, and presentations to ensure translation into meaningful action. Additionally, this position assists other section epidemiologists with analytical support for targeting intervention, prevention, and services for communities, patients, and their families.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain public health surveillance systems for birth defects, including establishing quality assurance and quality control programs.
• Evaluate surveillance systems using the CDC’s Guidelines for Evaluating Public Health Surveillance Systems or similar tools.
• Develop and manage databases, ensuring interoperability and reporting for the Birth Defects Information System.
• Analyze birth defects data and synthesize findings into reports, published papers, and presentations.
• Provide epidemiological support to other section epidemiologists for intervention, prevention, and service targeting.
• Prepare grants, contract proposals, and reports.
• Utilize statistical programming (e.g., R, SAS, Stata) for data analysis.
• Travel up to 25% of the time for work-related duties.

Requirements

• Four (4) years of experience in pregnancy-related risk and protective factors, conditions, and birth outcomes, including birth defects or a closely related Maternal and Child Health field, with a focus on designing and conducting epidemiologic investigations and/or surveillance.
• Experience designing, maintaining, and evaluating public health surveillance systems, including quality assurance/quality control programs.
• Experience writing and preparing grants, contract proposals, and reports.
• Experience using statistical programming such as R, SAS, Stata, or similar.
• Successful completion of a background check and employment reference check.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application; MDH does not sponsor work visas.
• Ability to relocate to Minnesota within 30 days of start date if residing outside Minnesota and beyond 50 miles of the work location at the time of application.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of and experience in basic visual analytics (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) and geographic analysis/GIS and mapping.
• Working knowledge of Maternal and Child Health public health programs and Title V objectives.
• Thorough knowledge of Minnesota Department of Health functions, policies, and procedures.
• Experience establishing culturally competent public health programs and working with diverse populations.
• Knowledge of vital records, administrative datasets, Electronic Health Records (EHR), newborn screening, public health genomics, and epidemiological investigations of pediatric chronic diseases.

Pay

$35.30 - $52.35 hourly; $73,706 - $109,306 annually.

Schedule

• Full-time, day shift: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday.
• Up to 25% travel required.

Benefits

• Paid vacation and sick leave.
• 12 paid holidays annually.
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans.
• Fertility care, including IVF, and diabetes care.
• Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children.
• 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children.
• Pension plan providing retirement income after three years of service.
• Employer-paid life insurance.
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance.
• Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care.
• Resources for physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being.
• Training, classes, and professional development opportunities.
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility (for qualifying positions).
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work/life support, including mental health, relationship challenges, grief, finances, and legal issues.
• Daily living/convenience services, such as chore services, home repair, trip planning, and child/elder care.