Science & Communications Officer

SUMMARY:  

This evolving position is located in the Operations Division with the Oklahoma City-County Health Department (OCCHD).  Involved with the development and implementation a strategic community health and preparedness plan within Oklahoma County, using the MAPP 2.0 (Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships) process.  Utilizing the MAPP 2.0 process, the employee will assess the Oklahoma County community, and based on the results of the assessment, will prioritize public health issues to address with community partners.  The employee will work with health-care providers, physicians, various public and private sector representatives, business and civic leaders, legislators, executives, and city and county officials to strengthen existing partnerships and develop new ones in an effort to facilitate increased communication and effective response to disasters and bioterrorism events in Oklahoma County.  The employee provides guidance, oversight, and supervision to Epidemiology, Communications, and Emergency Preparedness staff and performs the job duties and responsibilities of this position in an independent manner under the direction of the immediate supervisor.

 

The unique job is evolving and may provide oversight to any department programs. 

 

PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

This is a summary of the duties and responsibilities commonly found within this classification. As determined by the needs of the organization, the incumbent may or may not be involved in a number of essential job functions listed below.  All employees must maintain a commitment to the OCCHD's mission, vision, and strategic goals. It is not meant to be all-inclusive, thus, other related activities or tasks may be assigned.

 

This position functions at the intermediate level (Tier 3) as defined by the Council on Linkages Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals with a primary focus on the following Domains:

• Data Analytics and Assessment Skills
• Policy Development and Program Planning Skills
• Communication Skills
• Community Partnership Skills
• Public Health Sciences Skills
• Management and Finance Skills
• Leadership and Systems Thinking Skills

 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

 

Responsibilities to Chief Executive Officer and Chief Health Officer's office:

1. Acts as publicist serving the office of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Health Officer (CEO/CHO) by creating trust and promoting a positive image of OCCHD and the office of the CEO/CHO to the community.
2. Provides oversight by managing the public image of OCCHD, the office of the CEO/CHO, media relations and publicity events.
3. Accomplishes deliverables associated with all assigned grants.
4. Serves as a technical resource for the Senior Executive Team in responding to media inquiries and when directed, maintains consistent communication with subcontractors and local partners to ensure regular reporting.
5. Provides oversight to design, evaluate, and assist in the production of professional materials (e.g., posters, exhibits, leaflets, brochures and multimedia presentations); using various audio/visual equipment.
6. When directed, works with a variety of public and private sector representatives to ensure that the latest most up-to-date information concerning the OCCHD response is being presented to the public.
7. Makes presentations including television and radio, drafts and disseminate approved press releases, and informational material, coordinates development of and management of OCCHD social media strategy, marketing plans and online content, and schedules media interviews with subject matter experts upon approval.
8. Plans and implements campaigns around the CEO/CHO's office.
9. Articulates the broad vision of Public Health and OCCHD to the public.
10. Fields questions and inquiries from media and outside agencies utilizing subject matter experts as needed with approval.  Organizes and monitors information provided by or sought by news media or other organizations.
11. Generates documents and reports as requested by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer/Deputy Health Officer and Senior Executive Team
12. When directed, works with other State and National Public Health Organizations and State Departments of Health to help develop plans and policies.
13. May facilitate community presentations and/or attend community meetings at the direction and approval of the Senior Executive Team.
14. This list is not meant to be all-inclusive, thus, other related programs, activities or tasks may be assigned.

 

Epidemiology/Health Informatics Responsibilities

1. Serves as County Epidemiologist reporting to the Deputy Chief Executive Officer/Deputy Health Officer or Senior Executive Team.
2. Routinely provides expert epidemiologic, scientific, and technical leadership for the critical public health personnel, systems, and processes that detect and control infectious diseases, bioterrorism threats, and during public health emergencies.
3. Develops and executes a comprehensive data strategy aligned with department objectives and needs.
4. Establishes robust data governance and management practices for improved, transparent, and efficient data processes.
5. Drives data-driven decision-making through advanced analytics and actionable insights.
6. Fosters a data-driven culture and promotes data literacy across the organization.
7. Breaks down data silos and encourages cross-functional data collaboration.
8. Explores emerging technologies to drive data innovation and transformation.
9. Aligns data initiatives and organizational goals through effective program engagement and coordination.
10. Works with the Senior Executive Team at OCCHD to provide epidemiologic subject matter expertise, especially as it relates to infectious disease epidemiology and the COVID-19 response.  Will review surveillance data, analyses and reports and make suggestions for how to conduct analyses and display results to communication with a wide variety of stakeholders.  Will also attend meetings and present findings, as requested, on behalf of OCCHD.
11. Serves as a technical specialist providing forecast planning and operational strategy during incidents of emerging communicable disease outbreaks and pandemics.
12. Gathers, assembles, analyzes and interprets statistical data and presents reports.
13. Conducts investigations.
14. Facilitates development and maintenance of comprehensive databases for morbidity, mortality, health status and demographic indicators for Oklahoma County.
15. Serves as member of a liaison team with the users and providers of health data in the community.
16. Coordinates the work of interdisciplinary teams in the intervention and control of communicable disease epidemics and the collection and analyses of data to describe these events.
17. Monitors disease trends, conduct investigations of reported diseases and outbreaks, and coordinate with state health agencies.
18. Provides oversight for program evaluation and associated statistical analysis.
19. Supports grant development through the identification and collection of data and associated mapping.
20. Assists in developing and maintaining comprehensive databases for morbidity, mortality, health status and demographic indicators for Oklahoma County.
21. May be involved in research related to general or specific diseases, and clusters of injuries.
22. Provides public health education through reports, speeches and presentations, prepares and provides general and specific information concerning disease outbreaks, communicates with a broad spectrum of health professionals, partners, public and private groups, and agencies within the community.
23. Conducts surveillance and evaluate trends of communicable and chronic disease, and clusters of injuries.
24. Assists with designing intervention programs for the control of communicable diseases within the community.
25. Oversees and facilitates the development of the jurisdiction's Community Health Needs Assessment.
26. Develops a strategic community health plan with the MAPP 2.0 process.
27. Develops and updates the Jurisdictional Risk Assessment for Oklahoma County.
28. Develops program work plans in accordance to the CDC Public Health Preparedness Capabilities: National Standards for State and Local Planning.
29. Coordinates with partners from various agencies in response to outbreaks.
30. Manages infectious disease epidemiology activities such as core surveillance, day calls, case investigations and supporting emergency response activities as needed.
31. Collects detailed epidemiologic and clinical data systematically as assigned, through interviews of ill individuals and/or their contacts, clinicians, and through review of medical records.
32. Works with consultants on development and implementation of integration between OCCHD and various statistical applications.
33. Conducts surveillance and evaluate trends of communicable and chronic disease, and clusters of injuries.
34. Develops and implements programs for the prevention and control of communicable diseases within the community.
35. Provides consultation to healthcare professionals, community organizations, and the public on communicable disease prevention and control.
36. Facilitates the development of the jurisdiction's Community Health Needs Assessment.
37. Supports grant research and program development through the identification and collection of data and associated mapping.
38. Provides input to immediate supervisor concerning developing modifications to programs, plans, procedures, etc. and encourages the development of worksite processes that enhance the Epidemiology employees.
39. Identifies and defines local public health issues.
40. This list is not meant to be all-inclusive, thus, other related programs, activities or tasks may be assigned.

 

Emergency Preparedness Responsibilities

1. May provide oversight for or participate in emergency preparedness planning and response efforts related to public health emergencies.
2. This list is not meant to be all-inclusive, thus, other related programs, activities or tasks may be assigned.

 

Administrative Responsibilities

1. Develops plans, goals and objectives for the program.
2. Drives to off-site locations to perform job duties as needed.
3. Assists with annual budget preparation.
4. Engages in program improvement and development as a result of regular program evaluations.
5. Institute quality improvement processes.
6. Completes and maintains documentation for projects assigned.
7. Proven ability to successfully meet deadlines.
8. Assists with providing education and training to assigned interns.
9. Monitors and evaluates employee performance, attendance and leave utilization.   
10. Administers work assignments with consideration of grant implementation and fulfillment of deliverables.
11. Supervises employees by direct observation and review of job products.
12. Completes performance evaluations of employees.
13. Maintains supervisory documentation and files on all employees supervised, including training, performance counseling, attendance, time and leave.
14. Reviews all timesheets against leave requests and supervisory documentation to ensure timesheets are properly completed before approving.
15. Documents all overtime worked by FLSA employees and ensures payment of overtime at time-and-a-half or compensable time off is taken within the operational guidelines.
16. Ensures that incident reports are completed and submitted on all incidents in a timely manner.
17. Completes required training in support of duties and responsibilities of this position.
18. Maintains appropriate confidentiality and follows OCCHD guidelines and statutory regulations regarding the release of client or OCCHD information.
19. At the direction of OCCHD CEO/CHO or designee, the incumbent will be assigned a variety of specific job duties and responsibilities as a member of the OCCHD Emergency Preparedness and Response Program Team (i.e., Bioterrorism Response Program).  Also, as a member of the OCCHD Emergency Preparedness and Response Team, the incumbent is required to complete all necessary responder training and may be designated as a member of the first-responder team.
20. In accordance with our designation of a PHAB Accredited health department and explicit commitment to continuous quality improvement, employees will receive Quality Improvement (QI) training deemed necessary by their supervisor.
21. This list is not meant to be all-inclusive, thus, other related programs, activities or tasks may be assigned.

 

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:

-Master's degree in Public Health or related field with emphasis (i.e., completion of at least 25 graduate hours in Epidemiology) in Biostatistics and/or Epidemiology

-Five years of professional experience in using epidemiological techniques (including ArcGIS)

-One year of professional experience in using Biostatistical techniques

-One year of supervisory experience

-Valid Oklahoma driver license required

 

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

-Skill in manipulating data, using Access, Excel, Epi-Info, or SAS

-Skill in making public presentations

-Skill in supervising employees

-Knowledge of laboratory methods and investigative techniques

-Ability and willingness to use a personal computer and required software

-Ability and willingness to develop databases for data collection

-Ability and willingness to coordinate the work of others

-Ability and willingness to communicate with persons both orally and in writing using tact and diplomacy

-Ability and willingness to maintain confidentiality

-Ability and willingness to develop and maintain effective working relationships

-Ability and willingness to follow safe working practices and procedures

-Ability and willingness to assume responsibility for work product

-Ability and willingness to follow established policies and procedures

             

WORKING CONDITIONS:

-Primarily indoors in climate-controlled building

-No smoking or use of non-smoking tobacco products is allowed at any time while conducting OCCHD business or in OCCHD vehicles or property

-No use of cell phones or the use of electronic wireless communications devices used to write, send or read a text-based communication while driving a motor vehicle on OCCHD business

-Subject to driving to off-site locations in varying weather to perform job duties

-Subject to exposure to infectious diseases

-OSHA category: performs tasks that involve exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues

 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

-Arm/hand steadiness and digital dexterity enough to operate a personal computer, and perform other essential functions of the job

-Vision enough to read hand- or machine-generated data, instructions, markings, labels, etc.

-Flexibility and coordination enough to operate a motor vehicle as needed

-Speech and hearing enough to communicate in public presentations, face-to-face, and via telephone

 

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

This position requires frequent contact with other employees, physicians, and clients.  Frequent external contacts are with personnel at all levels of other agencies and with the public are associated with this position.  The employee May be required to deal with temperamental people on occasion.

 

SUPERVISION GIVEN AND RECEIVED/ACCOUNTABILITY:

The employee reports to the Deputy Chief Executive Officer/Deputy Health Officer and performance is evaluated by the successful completion of goals and objectives.  The employee provides guidance, oversight, and supervision to Epidemiology, Communications, and Emergency Preparedness staff and performs the job duties and responsibilities of this position in an independent manner under the direction of the immediate supervisor.  Work product is subject to occasional review, but the employee generally performs independently in the administration of the duties and responsibilities of the position within the parameters of legal requirements and OCCHD policies and procedures.  The employee has accountability for budget, money and materials and the employee makes recommendations which result in the expenditure of significant funds.

 

CONDITIONAL:

Employees who fall into the following categories are in conditional employment positions:  a) CEO/CHO; b) Senior Executive Team, Executive Team and Leadership Team employees who serve at the pleasure of the OCCHD CEO/CHO; c) certain other OCCHD employees whose salaries, benefits, and/or overhead are based on available funds such as, but not limited to, revenue generating contracts, grants, or fee-for-service revenue.  In other words, this means that if the funding or the program is terminated, cancelled, or non-renewed, your employment terminates automatically.  This position may be partially or fully funded by a grant

 

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

-Must have an operating vehicle available for use when field duties are required

-Will be compliant on recommended immunizations required by the CDC as a healthcare worker and as defined within the scope of Emergency Response within 30 days of hire.  Exceptions accepted with documented medical or religious accommodation.  OCCHD will provide vaccinations at no charge to employees.

-May be required to work outside of regular business hours or assigned shift hours due to job responsibilities

 

BENEFITS:

• As an employee of the Oklahoma City-County Health Department, you will enjoy comprehensive benefits which consists of:
• 15 days per year of annual leave
• 15 days per year of sick leave
• 15 paid holidays annually
• A comprehensive health insurance package – medical, dental, vision, life insurance, dependent life insurance, and flexible medical spending account
• A generous benefit allowance to offset the cost of insurance premiums for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Retirement plans: Defined Contribution Plan and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

 

Interested candidates should apply online at www.occhd.org.  Select Careers at the top of the web page, select Current Jobs, select the position you are applying for, and select "apply".  You will be directed to our Career Center.  Get started by uploading your resume with your profile.  Otherwise, click "skip" to continue.  The first step is to register with the Career Center, again you will click on apply for an active position. You may search for open positions by name or select "show all positions."  You may select "view" to read the details regarding the position.  Again, you will click on "apply now".   You will be directed to the second step of the application process.  Please complete the entire application.  Do not substitute a resume for your employment history.  You may attach a cover letter, resume, and an official transcript, if applicable.  You will save and complete your application.  You will be directed to the final step of answering job specific questions, if applicable.  Once you have finished the process, you should receive a message stating, "Successfully applied".  You will also receive an email stating your application has been received for the position you selected.  If you do not receive this message, then there has been a step not completed.  You will need to review your record. The position will be open for 30 days or until filled.  Please be advised that applications will periodically be considered, as such this position could be filled any time before the closing date.

 

Successful candidate subject to background check, reference verification and drug screening.

 

AA/EOE