INTER TRIBAL COUNCIL OF ARIZONA, INC.
Epidemiologist II
Tribal Epidemiology Center (TEC)
Position Title: Epidemiologist II (Overdose Prevention Focus)
Reports To: TECPHI Program Manager
Department: Tribal Epidemiology Center (TEC)
Location: Phoenix, AZ (With travel across IHS Phoenix and Tucson Service Areas)
Salary Range: DOE (Full-Time, Exempt with Comprehensive Benefits)
POSITION SUMMARY
The Inter Tribal Council of Arizona Tribal Epidemiology Center (ITCA TEC) is seeking a dedicated and highly motivated Epidemiologist II to lead strategic regional overdose prevention initiatives.
Operating under the general supervision of the Tribal Epidemiology Center Public Health Infrastructure (TECPHI) Program Manager at the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc. (ITCA), the Epidemiologist II will serve as the technical lead for opioid and substance misuse surveillance, data infrastructure development, and epidemiology support, while responsible for providing training and technical support to ITCA health programs and Tribal partners. This position will require travel for site visits to Tribes, regional trainings, and national conferences.
The primary focus of this position is the implementation of a comprehensive Opioid Needs Assessment in collaboration with American Indian Tribes located within the Indian Health Service (IHS) Phoenix and Tucson Service Areas. Additionally, the position will orchestrate the planning and execution of an annual regional overdose prevention working group, deliver specialized training, and provide culturally responsive technical assistance to Tribal communities to strengthen public health capacity and data-driven decision making.
This position will interface with key stakeholder groups, including: Indian Health Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, as well as State and Local Health Departments. The Epidemiologist will work closely with the team of ITCA TEC epidemiologists and program evaluator to enhance Tribal Public Health Infrastructure. Timely and regular attendance to work and work-related events is an essential function of this position.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Opioid Needs Assessment Implementation: Lead the design, execution, analysis, and dissemination of tribally-driven local Opioid Needs Assessments with Tribes within the IHS Phoenix and Tucson Service Areas; coordinate directly with Tribal leaders, Tribal health departments/directors, and clinical stakeholders to identify gaps in substance use surveillance, data collection, and preventive intervention resources.
- Surveillance and Data Analysis: Collect, manage, analyze, and interpret complex epidemiological data sets related to morbidity, mortality, and syndromic surveillance of drug overdoses adhering to Tribal Data Sovereignty principles.
- Working Group Facilitation: Lead the planning, coordination, and programmatic execution of an annual Overdose Prevention Working Group, bringing together Tribal public health professionals, regional stakeholders, and federal partners to share best practices and harmonize cross-jurisdictional response strategies.
- Training and Technical Assistance: Develop and deliver tailored epidemiological training programs, webinars, and toolkits for Tribal health staff; provide direct, culturally appropriate technical assistance regarding data governance, community health assessment methods, evidence-based overdose prevention frameworks, and other public health technical assistance requested by Tribes
- Report Generation and Dissemination: Author high-quality epidemiologic profiles/reports, surveillance summaries, legislative briefs, and data visualizations tailored for Tribal leadership, federal funding agencies, and community members, ensuring strict adherence to Tribal data sovereignty principles.
- Construct Presentations: Create Public Health Presentations for internal and external trainings, meetings, and professional conferences
- Programmatic Support: Assist the CDC Public Health Infrastructure Program Manager in meeting cooperative agreement deliverables, tracking project metrics, contributing to grant progress reports, and participating in national TEC programmatic initiatives. Assist with research, development, and writing of grant proposals for continued program funding.
- Stakeholder Collaboration: Serve as an expert liaison for the ITCA TEC on regional committees, task forces, and workgroups dedicated to substance misuse, establishing strong, trust-based collaborative relationships with Tribal communities.
- Data Modernization Efforts: Design Survey Tools, Data Linkage, Database Design and Management
- Project Management: Maintain accurate and complete project files electronically and/or hardcopy format of assignments. Meet project deadlines and reporting with quality products. Communicate regularly and in a timely manner with the Program Manager regarding any challenges or problems. Attend all ITCA, Inc. and TEC meetings as assigned. Follow all ITCA, Inc. policies and procedures. Perform other related duties, special projects, and reporting as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS:
· Epidemiological Methods: Demonstrated experience and proficiency of the principles and practices of epidemiology, biostatistics, public health surveillance, and research design, with specific expertise in behavioral health or substance use surveillance preferred.
· Tribal Health and Sovereignty: Deep understanding of the unique legal status, cultural diversity, and public health governance structures of American Indian Tribes; firm grasp of Tribal Data Sovereignty, Indigenous data methodologies, and the role of Tribal Epidemiology Centers.
· Software Proficiency: Advanced skills in utilizing statistical computing packages (such as SAS, SPSS, Stata, or R) and data visualization tools (e.g., ArcGIS, Tableau) to analyze public health data and produce automated, reproducible analysis. Demonstrated experience and proficiency with EpiInfo, Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and Power Point. Must be willing to learn other software and update skills as needed.
· Data Management: Demonstrated data management experience analyzing data from multiple data sources to produce automated public health reports using macros and proc sql. Demonstrated data linkage skills. Experience with ICD-10 diagnostic and procedure codes for surveillance reporting.
· Needs Assessment and Evaluation: Demonstrated ability to design quantitative and qualitative health assessment tools, implement multi-site surveys, conduct key informant interviews, and evaluate community-level public health programs.
· Communication and Dissemination: Exceptional written and oral communication skills, including the clear, accessible translation of complex statistical concepts to non-technical audiences, Tribal councils, and community forums.
· Project Management and Organization: Proven ability to manage complex multi-year community health projects independently, organize regional events/working groups, balance competing priorities, and meet rigid federal reporting deadlines. Work as a group project leader and a project team member. Ability to identify and analyze issues impacting the project and recommend and develop solutions impacting issue resolution.
· Interpersonal and Cultural Humility: Established ability to work collaboratively within interdisciplinary teams and establish meaningful, respectful, and effective working relationships with diverse Tribal communities and federal, state, and local partners.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
· Education: Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Public Health (MPH), Epidemiology, Biostatistics, or a closely related health science field with substantial coursework in epidemiology and statistics.
· Experience: At least one year post-Master’s degree experience in public health Strong data management and analysis is highly preferred. Prior experience working with Tribes in Arizona, Nevada, and/or Utah, within an Indian Health Service facility, Tribal organization, or Tribal Epidemiology Center is highly preferred.
REQUIREMENTS:
· Travel: Valid Arizona driver’s license and willingness to travel extensively within the IHS Phoenix and Tucson Service Areas of Arizona, Nevada, and Utah to provide onsite technical assistance to Tribal partners as assigned. to Tribal partners to conduct trainings, attend meetings, and provide technical assistance as requested. Overnight stays are often required. Must be willing and able to travel in and out of the State of Arizona as required by various modes of transportation; able to be a passenger on a commercial airline and/or drive in various conditions for long periods.
· Physical: Lifting and carrying up to 30 lbs.; bending, twisting, reaching, climbing, kneeling, walking, standing, and sitting for long periods of time; Prolonged periods of computer use, writing, and use of other tools necessary to perform duties and complete assignments; Ascending and descending stairs; Talking, hearing, seeing, listening and ability to understand; Repetitive use of hands, fingers, arms and eyes.
· Hours of Work: Vary and are dependent on business needs, requirements, workflow, and assignments.
· Job Location: Majority of work will be performed at 2214 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85004 in an office workstation; May be required to perform duties in various locations, both on and off Tribal lands, throughout Arizona and the United States as assigned.
Must live in Metropolitan Phoenix, AZ - Relocation expenses not available
Must submit a project sample of SAS or R code you have written with your resume.
To obtain an application, visit our website: www.itcaonline.com
Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc. is An Equal Opportunity Employer and A Drug-Free Workplace
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $54,000.00 - $60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Vision insurance
Ability to Commute:
Ability to Relocate:
- Phoenix, AZ: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
