Epidemiology and Data Strategy Specialist

MPHI is a Michigan-based and nationally engaged, non-profit public health institute. We are a team of teams, process and content experts, dedicated to building A world where tomorrow is healthier than today!

Title: Epidemiology and Data Strategy Specialist

$74,443.20 - $105,102.40 / Posted Thru: 3-9-25

Location: Remote/Virtual - Must Live and Work in Michigan

Occasional In-Person Work Required - Lansing, MI Office

Purpose: The Epidemiology and Data Strategy Specialist will serve a critical and highly complex role in coordinating and leading analytical and epidemiological teams addressing various facets of the opioid overdose crisis, co-occurring conditions and related public health issues. The position will facilitate collaboration and serve as a strategic leader relating to the use of data and analyses to ensure a data-driven approach to informing and evaluating departmental policy, prevention and intervention activities. A further emphasis will be placed on analyses to inform decision-making surrounding co-occurring conditions with substance use disorder (SUD) and overdose. The position will play a key role in advancing mental health surveillance infrastructure to align with the current level of overdose surveillance conducted by MDHHS.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Apply leading-edge epidemiological expertise and insight to inform and evaluate public health policies and programs.

• Lead strategic planning and the development of evidence-based recommendations to address public health issues effectively and efficiently.
• Oversee the coordination and development of data-driven actionable insights and decision-support tools including reports, briefings, dashboards and presentations for various audiences to communicate findings and recommendations and inform decision-making surrounding public health interventions and prevention activities.
• Integrate data from multiple sources to generate comprehensive informational profiles of public health issues.
• Conduct presentations and briefings to public health and associated staff and leadership.
• Monitor the scientific and public health literature for emerging data and methods that can be applied to public health programs in Michigan.
• Identify epidemiological topics or issues of emerging concern in Michigan, particularly related to substance use, the opioid overdose crisis and co-occurring conditions.
• Examine the intersection of SUD with other mental and behavioral health conditions, polysubstance use patterns and social determinants of health that exacerbate risk, including housing instability, justice system involvement, and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).

Build collaborative relationships to facilitate a data-to-action framework.

• Facilitate coordination among epidemiological and analytical teams engaged in addressing public health issues related to substance use and mental health, ensuring a unified approach to analyzing and addressing shared risk factors and health outcomes.
• Act as a primary liaison across epidemiological and analytical teams working on intersecting issues related to substance use, SUD and overdose, including injury surveillance, mental health, child welfare and housing instability.
• Develop strategic plans and priorities for epidemiological and analytical efforts to generate actionable insights supporting public health programs and policy teams, with a particular focus on co-occurring conditions like mental health and alcohol-involvement.
• Establish and coordinate collaborative internal and external partnerships to streamline data sharing, enhance analytical capacity and strength surveillance systems.

Provide expert guidance and mentorship to epidemiological teams and staff.

• Identify and develop best practices and standards for epidemiological and analytical work particularly in emerging areas of surveillance such as mental health, alcohol-involvement in substance use disorder (SUD) and overdose, and other co-occurring conditions.
• Provide guidance and consultation to epidemiological and analytical teams with a focus on supporting surveillance efforts for opioid settlement funds related to SUD treatment, prevention and recovery.
• In coordination with applicable managers, supervisors and senior staff, provide mentorship, identify priorities, and ensure cohesion and strategical alignment for junior epidemiological and analytical staff.
• Always represent the best interests of MDHHS and MPHI.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications/Requirements:

Education: Possession of a master's degree in epidemiology or public health, with a minimum of 8 semester (12 term) graduate-level hours in epidemiology and biostatistics courses.

Experience: A minimum of four years of professional experience equivalent to an Epidemiologist. Experience highly preferred work experience in coordinating or leading epidemiological programs related to substance use and overdoses and social determinants of health. Experience in strategic planning, policy development and advocacy within public health sector, particularly within the context of addressing substance-related harms.

Important Skills and Characteristics:

• Proficiency in coordinating multidisciplinary teams, integrating disparate data sources, and leading advanced epidemiological analyses.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to translate complex epidemiological findings into actional insights for various audiences.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements: Job may require moderate physical effort including lifting materials and equipment of <50lbs and involves viewing a CRT or VDT screen 25% to 75% of the time. Standard office environment. Evenings, weekends and overnight work may be required.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WORK OF OTHERS: No assigned responsibility.

IMPACT ON PROJECTS, SERVICES AND OPERATIONS: This position will have a direct impact on the utilization of data to inform critical public health decision-making and policy.

REQUIRED COMMUNICATION

Contact Person/Group Frequency Purpose

Section Manager Daily/Weekly Supervision

Unit Managers/Staff Daily/Weekly Coordination/Collaboration

Opioid Data Director Daily/Weekly Coordination/Collaboration

Senior Leadership As Needed Briefing and Coordination

Other Stakeholders As Needed Data Support and Briefing

"For purposes of employment standards, this classification is "Exempt" from overtime provisions of the fair Labor Standards Act."

MPHI works with you to promote health for everyone. Together, we will build a world where tomorrow is healthier than today!

MPHI is an EEO employer that participates with e-verify.