Job Posting: Chief, Syndromic Surveillance Section

Department of Public Health

JC-464583
-
Chief, Syndromic Surveillance Section
RESEARCH SCIENTIST SUPERVISOR II (EPIDEMIOLOGY/BIOSTATISTICS)

$10,933.00 - $14,019.00 per Month

Final Filing Date: 2/18/2025

Job Description and Duties

Incumbents in one of these classifications, where a Master’s Degree is required to meet the minimum qualifications, shall receive an educational pay differential equivalent to 2% of their monthly base pay. Those where a Doctoral Degree is a required to meet the minimum qualifications, shall receive an educational pay differential equivalent to 3% of their monthly base pay. Individuals with both a Master’s and Doctoral Degree will be given the best benefit in relation to salary shall only be eligible for only one amount.

 

This position supports the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) mission and strategic plan by overseeing and managing the implementation, utilization, maintenance, operation, and evaluation of the California Statewide Syndromic Surveillance (CalSyS) program. The CalSyS program facilitates timely and broad monitoring of population health, ultimately leading to more rapid and targeted disease control and prevention strategies as well as increased situational awareness for public health response.

 

The RSS II Syndromic Surveillance (SyS) Section Chief directs and manages all aspects of the CalSyS program, including providing oversight for and directly supervising the leadership of the SyS Section and its three units: the Program, Onboarding, & Policy (POP) Unit, the Data Quality & Integration (DQI) Unit, and the Epidemiology, Analytics, & Reporting (Epi) Unit. In this role, the RSS II oversees the complex CalSyS program and team responsible for research and analytics, policy and communications, epidemiology and reporting, program evaluation, communities of practice across CDPH programs and local health jurisdictions, a variety of data and marketing products, the development of new and complex data management processes, and the assurance of complete SyS reporting from all eligible California facilities (e.g., hospital emergency departments). The incumbent is responsible for the scientific, research, and statewide collaborative vision of the CalSyS program, supports the development of public health policy, and serves as a spokesperson regarding scientific or data-related issues concerning syndromic surveillance in California. The RSS II will also be responsible for ensuring the scientific quality of reporting requirements and is responsible for overseeing data security and confidentiality issues for the SyS Section and surveillance activities.

 

The incumbent works under the broad administrative direction of the Public Health Medical Administrator I (PHMA I), Infectious Disease Monitoring & Early Detection (IDMED) Branch Chief. In the case of a public health emergency, this position may be asked to redirect to serve rotations in emergency staffing roles aligned with their classification level.

 

The RSS II establishes a positive workplace environment that emphasizes learning and continuous improvement, embraces actionable data, and seeks innovative solutions. As a program leader, the RSS II promotes employee engagement and a collaborative work environment, and translates the Department’s mission, vision, and values into terms relevant to work performed. The incumbent works under the broad administrative direction of the Public Health Medical Administrator I (PHMA I), Infectious Disease Monitoring & Early Detection (IDMED) Branch Chief.

THERE IS ONE VACANCY BEING ADVERTISED ACROSS MULTIPLE COUNTIES. THE INCUMBENT WILL BE HEADQUARTERED IN THE COUNTY NEAREST THE RESIDENCE OF THE SELECTED CANDIDATE. THE COUNTIES ARE: * Sacramento or Contra Costa County *

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

Telework Information:

This position may be eligible for telework up to three (3) days per week and is required to report in-person to the designated headquarters office location a minimum of two (2) days per week. The amount of telework permitted is at the discretion of the Department and is subject to change, consistent with CDPH’s Telework Program. All employees who telework are required to be California residents in accordance with Government Code 14200. Candidates who reside outside of the state of California may be interviewed; however, the selected candidate must have a primary residency in the state of California prior to appointment (and continue to maintain California residency) as a condition of employment. Failure to meet this requirement may result in the job offer being rescinded.

Business travel may be required, and reimbursement considers an employee’s designated headquarters office subject to regulations and bargaining unit contract provisions. All commute expenses to the designated headquarters office will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

The headquarters office location for this position is identified in the attached duty statement.


Please let us know how you heard about our position by taking this brief survey:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CDPHRecruitment

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-464583
Position #(s):
580-465-5651-909
Working Title:
Chief, Syndromic Surveillance Section
Classification:
RESEARCH SCIENTIST SUPERVISOR II (EPIDEMIOLOGY/BIOSTATISTICS)
$10,933.00 - $14,019.00
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
United States
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

At the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the core of our mission to advance the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities. We are genuinely and strongly committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness where we can grow and learn together with a diverse team of employees. In recruiting for team members, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring to us and the work we do.

 

This Syndromic Surveillance (SyS) Section Chief position within the Center for Infectious Diseases (CID), Office of Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response (OIDPR), supports the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) mission and strategic plan by overseeing and managing the implementation, utilization, maintenance, and operation of the California statewide syndromic surveillance program. The statewide syndromic surveillance program facilitates timely and broad monitoring of population health, ultimately leading to more rapid and targeted disease control and prevention strategies as well as increased situational awareness for public health response.


*The salary information listed on this advertisement may not reflect recent salary increases from salary adjustments or changes in the fiscal year.

 

*The CDPH is not currently an E-Verify employer.

Department Website: https://www.cdph.ca.gov

Special Requirements

In order to be considered for this position, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts official or un-official and/or Degree for education verification.


For experience/education to qualify during the application screening process, and to ensure that minimum qualifications can be determined, applicants should include all employment history on the Employment Application (STD 678) and/or Resume, including detailed job descriptions, hours worked per week, and start/end dates (MM/DD/YYYY).  Application packages without this information will experience delayed processing times and your eligibility for this position may be impacted.

 

A completed State application (STD. 678) and any other relevant documents (e.g., unofficial transcript, copy of degree, resume, etc.) should be submitted electronically via your CalCareers Account. Please reference Job Control # 464583 and indicate the basis of your eligibility in the Examination(s) or Job Title(s) section. SROA and surplus candidates should submit a copy of their letter with their application. Please remove any confidential information (i.e., social security number, date of birth) from your documents prior to submission.

 

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareers Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. Submitting an electronic application through your CalCareers account is strongly recommended since electronic applications will be received/processed faster than other methods of filing. Please submit only one application.

 

If you are unable to submit your application electronically through your CalCareers account, please email apply@cdph.ca.gov for assistance and a CDPH Human Resources Division staff member will contact you to assist with the online application process or, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method as explained in the How to Apply section below. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 2/18/2025

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s).

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Department of Public Health
CCAU Mailing
Attn: Classification & Certification Unit
P.O. Box 997378
MS 1700-1702
Sacramento, CA 95899-7378

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Department of Public Health
CCAU Drop Off
Classification & Certification Unit
1615 Capitol Avenue Suite 73.430
Sacramento, CA 95814
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

  • Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
  • Resume is required and must be included.
  • Other - Please see Supplemental Questionnaire instructions below at end of posting.  Any applications received that do not provide a written response to the SQ may be rejected.
  • Other - A Cover Letter is required and must be submitted with your application package.  The Cover Letter (CL) should address why you are interested in and feel well suited for this specific position.
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

  • Advanced expertise in public health surveillance, preferably with experience in syndromic surveillance and program implementation.
  • Expertise in addressing legal and policy inquiries.
  • Ability to provide strategic direction, scientific leadership, and management of staff on complex projects and issues.
  • Ability to serve as a program spokesperson and align diverse partners on strategic plans.
  • Commitment to promoting positive culture and employee engagement, providing professional mentorship, and emphasizing employee development and continuous improvement.
  • Excellent ability to collaborate effectively with management and staff across departments and provide counsel and guidance on highly complex issues of functionality, efficiency, and program operations.

Strongly Preferred: Experience collaborating with state and local governments, preferably in public health.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.

Department Website: https://www.cdph.ca.gov
Human Resources Contact:
Human Resources Divisionj
(916) 445-0983
apply@cdph.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Danielle Stephenson
(279) 217-1243
Danielle.Stephenson@cdph.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
EEO Office
(916) 445-0938
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Supplemental Questionnaire (SQ) Instructions:

The Supplemental Questionnaire (SQ) should be 1 – 2 pages and 12-point Arial font with your Name and Job Control number noted at the top. Answers should be numbered, reference the Desirable Qualifications, and explain in sufficient detail your demonstrated experience, knowledge, and skills related to each question. Resumes and cover letters will not take the place of the SQ.


Describe your experience, knowledge, and skills:

  1. Directing and overseeing complex public health programs including strategic planning, program development, and management of large staffing teams.
  2. In overseeing and troubleshooting surveillance program implementation, including experience with syndromic surveillance, if applicable.
  3. Overseeing and directing program budgets, ensuring fiscal solvency, and addressing legal and policy inquiries.


Note: the SQ and CL will be reviewed as writing samples

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

Application Methods:
Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)
By Mail
Drop-off
Print Job