Lead Epidemiologist - Data Strategy & Disease Surveillance

About the role

The Lead Epidemiologist for Data Strategy and Disease Surveillance is a senior-level public health leader responsible for directing the Allegheny County Health Department’s (ACHD) integrated approach to disease surveillance, epidemiologic investigations, and data modernization. This role oversees the Office of Data Reporting and Disease Control, guiding the development of innovative, equity-focused surveillance systems that inform public health policies, emergency responses, and strategic initiatives, including the Plan for a Healthier Allegheny.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, implementation, and evaluation of surveillance systems for infectious and chronic diseases.
• Develop and oversee ACHD’s data strategy, including system modernization, interoperability, and data governance.
• Serve as the lead epidemiologic advisor for public health emergencies, outbreaks, and rapid response situations.
• Supervise and mentor epidemiologists, analysts, and related public health personnel.
• Translate epidemiologic findings into strategic policy guidance, public messaging, and program recommendations.
• Ensure compliance with reporting requirements at local, state, and federal levels (e.g., notifiable disease reporting, HIPAA).
• Collaborate with external stakeholders (e.g., PA DOH, CDC, academic institutions, hospitals) to enhance surveillance efforts.
• Monitor disease burden and disparities; support health equity initiatives through epidemiologic insights.
• Contribute to emergency preparedness planning, drills, and real-time operational response.
• Prepare and present technical reports, outbreak summaries, and health alerts with scientific accuracy and accessibility.
• Provide strategic input to ACHD leadership on resource allocation and public health priorities.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, or a closely related field from an accredited institution and at least ten (10) years of progressive experience in public health practice with a focus on infectious and/or chronic disease surveillance, epidemiologic analysis, or data systems management.
• Preferred: Doctoral-level degree (e.g., PhD, DrPH, ScD, MD, or DO) in epidemiology, public health, medicine, or a related field and at least five (5) years of leadership or supervisory experience in a governmental public health agency or large health system.
• Preferred but not required: Possession of a current, unrestricted license to practice medicine or osteopathy in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Qualifications

• Experience leading the development or modernization of a public health surveillance system or data infrastructure.
• Experience contributing to the response of a public health outbreak or emergency, guiding the surveillance or response and influencing decision-making with epidemiologic insight.
• Experience using epidemiologic data to identify and address health disparities in a population, including the methods used, partnerships involved, and how the work informed policy, programming, or resource allocation.

Skills

• Advanced data interpretation, analysis, and epidemiologic modeling.
• Strategic planning and systems-level thinking for public health data infrastructure.
• Clear and impactful communication (written, verbal, visual) for technical and general audiences.
• Stakeholder engagement and coalition-building across government, academic, and community sectors.
• Supervisory and team leadership skills within interdisciplinary public health teams.

Benefits

Fringe Benefits: Paid holidays, personal days, vacation and sick leave benefits, medical coverage and dental benefits, a retirement plan, life insurance and a deferred compensation plan after eligibility requirements have been met.

Perks Working for ACHD: Professional growth through training opportunities (CPR, First Aid, Public Health Preparedness, Dignity and Respect, Points of Dispensing, and more); ability to advance in county system; job security; meaningfulness in daily work derived from public service; eligible for federal loan forgiveness; organizational commitment to ACHD’s mission to protect, promote, and preserve the health and well-being of all Allegheny County residents, particularly the most vulnerable.

Pay

Hourly: $51.99
Annual $108,150.00

Schedule

Full-Time, Senior Level

Application Instructions

Applications are submitted online until the position is filled and/or the posting is closed. After reviewing this job announcement, please click on the link at the bottom of the page to apply online. A resume is required with the application. Further instructions on submission of documents are available in the online application. A resume may not be substituted for an application.