Health Scientist

Goldbelt Professional Services specializes in providing expert resources for Public Health missions including scientific, technical, and administrative support from junior staff to high-level subject matter experts. Research and data driven, Goldbelt Professional Services' experts create solutions customized to the client's needs.

This position will work within the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at the Roybal Campus in Atlanta, GA. The Health Scientist I will report to Goldbelt Professional Services leadership to ensure the execution of timely, high-quality deliverables for the client.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategies to integrate behavioral and communication science into outreach activities, manage web and social media strategies, and ensure clarity and consistency in communication materials.
• Develop an action plan on how to apply strategies for incorporating behavioral and communication science principles into program education, communication, and outreach activities; independently, or in collaboration with divisions. The action plan will include audience or message, scientific rationale for use of principle, and recommended application of each strategy. Continuously review and update the action plan to ensure applicability and effectiveness.
• Lead or collaborate on operational and planning meetings with communications and science teams to design and conduct quantitative and qualitative communications data collection, analysis, and synthesis activities.
• Plan and coordinate communication research and evaluation activities, including collection of data and synthesis of existing data sources to ensure communication program and project success.
• Test educational materials and messages for clarity and effectiveness related to behavior change. Perform mixed-method data analyses of transcripts and survey data files using both qualitative and quantitative approaches.
• Consult and collaborate with health-related agencies and other public health partners, providing written and verbal scientific advice about audience-specific knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors and technical assistance to apply scientific advice when creating or evaluating educational materials.
• Work with the team and respective partners to revise guidance documents on audience insights and evaluation of educational materials based on feedback.
• Lead or collaborate on communication program evaluation and continuous improvement activities and contribute to reports and other feedback mechanisms as appropriate.
• Maintain and update existing repositories for completed data collection activities, and use these repositories to develop data summaries, audience profiles, and other documents to support ongoing communication activities.

Requirements

• Knowledge of behavioral science, communication science, health communication, and behavior change principles, including how to apply these concepts to education, communication, and outreach activities.
• Skill in developing strategic action plans that identify target audiences, key messages, scientific rationale, recommended communication strategies, and practical applications.
• Ability to independently review, assess, and update communication strategies to ensure continued relevance, effectiveness, and alignment with program goals.
• Skill in collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, including communication specialists, scientists, program staff, and division leadership.
• Ability to lead or participate in operational and planning meetings related to communication research, evaluation, data collection, analysis, and synthesis.
• Knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods used in communication research and program evaluation.
• Skill in planning, coordinating, and conducting communication research and evaluation activities to assess program and project success.
• Ability to collect, review, synthesize, and interpret data from multiple sources to inform communication planning and decision-making.
• Skill in testing educational materials, messages, and outreach products for clarity, audience understanding, effectiveness, and potential impact on behavior change.
• Knowledge of mixed-methods analysis, including the ability to analyze qualitative data such as transcripts and quantitative data such as survey results.
• Ability to translate research findings and evaluation results into clear, actionable recommendations for improving communication products, strategies, and outreach activities.
• Skill in documenting methods, findings, conclusions, and recommendations in a clear, organized, and scientifically supported manner.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office Applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, Teams, and SharePoint) efficiently and effectively.
• Able to collaborate with internal and external CDC partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Health Sciences Research or a related field.
• 5+ years of relevant experience.
• Clinical or public health background with experience communicating, coordinating, and working with public health programs.
• Highly detailed and organized with the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Highly proficient in using various statistical software (SAS, R, SPSS, Stata, etc.).
• Advanced use of Microsoft Office Tools (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Publisher).
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet tight deadlines.
• Ability to obtain and maintain CDC Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience working with the CDC is highly desired to understand the culture and environment.
• Master's Degree in Public Health or related field.

Pay

Salary Range: $90,000-$100,000 Annually

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) plan with company matching.
• Tax-deferred savings options.
• Supplementary benefits.
• Paid time off.
• Professional development opportunities.