Epidemiologist
The Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) Chronic Disease Program, within the Division of Family Health and Wellness, is hiring a part-time contract Epidemiologist to serve as the Evaluator for the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) focused on Chronic Disease Prevention through the End Zone initiative beginning June 1, 2026 with an opportunity for annual renewal through October 30, 2030.
The purpose of the chronic disease component of RHTP is to improve population health outcomes in rural communities through sustainable, evidence-based interventions that address chronic disease risk factors.
The Epidemiologist will also provide evaluation support to additional End Zone initiatives and for other Chronic Disease Program policy, systems, and environmental change (PSE) projects.
The position is responsible for professional scientific and epidemiological assessments and will work closely with the Chronic Disease Program directors and the Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (CDPHP) Section Epidemiology Team. This position reports to the CDPHP Program Evaluation Director.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Design and implement a comprehensive evaluation plan aligned with RHTP goals and objectives
- Develop and implement a mixed-methods evaluation plan aligned with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Program Evaluation Framework and Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) RHTP objectives and monitor progress toward short, intermediate, and long-term outcomes
- Develop program logic model to identify inputs, activities, outputs, and outcomes
- Assess the implementation and impact of Policy, Systems, and Environmental (PSE) strategies across communities participating in RHTP and other PSE projects and identify best practices, challenges, lessons learned, and recommendations
- Collaborate with CDPHP Section Epidemiology Team and other TDH staff as required to ensure validity, feasibility, and utility of evaluation methodologies, analyses, reports, and dissemination products
- Use epidemiological data to identify populations at risk and use them to inform strategic planning, refinement of interventions and support PSE strategies
- Develop and utilize evaluation tools, including logic models, indicators, performance measures, and data collection instruments
- Develop RHTP related databases or reporting systems (e.g., REDCap), and data visualization products including but not limited to infographics, interactive maps and dashboards, utilizing statistical analysis software including SAS, Tableau, ArcGIS and other similar tools
- Train RHTP grantees on reporting systems (e.g., REDCap), data entry and provide technical assistance and feedback as required
- Collect and analyze quantitative and qualitative data on RHTP activities and other PSE projects, assess program implementation, outcomes, and impact. Compiles, codes, categorizes, calculates, tabulates, audits, and verifies data or coordinates these activities
- Ensure data quality, confidentiality, and compliance with TDH data policies
- Develop evaluation reports based on CDC, CMS and TDH reporting timelines, including quarterly reports, annual reports, and executive leadership requests
- Support data-informed decision-making and report findings to TDH leadership or stakeholders
- Attend and participate in bi-monthly team meetings and conference calls as needed regarding program activities and training grantees on reporting tools and evaluation reporting
Education requirements:
Education and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master's degree in epidemiology, public health, biostatistics, statistics, or health informatics.
OR
Education and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master's degree in health science, biomedical science or environmental science field with experience equivalent to two years' work experience in epidemiology.
The preferred candidate will have:
- Experience in public health, preferably in rural settings
- Experience in population health and program evaluation
- Experience in SAS, Tableau, and ArcGIS
- Experience working with large data sets
- Excellent oral and written presentation skills
- Excellent data visualization skills