Lead Evaluation Scientist

CDPH is currently hiring a Lead Evaluation Scientist (Research Scientist Staff) within our Center for Family Health's (CFH) Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health (MCAH) Division. In this role, you will lead the design and implementation of MCAH program monitoring and evaluation efforts for the Black Infant Health (BIH) Program.  This includes using tools and methods in the areas of culturally responsive and equitable evaluation, implementation science, project management, community engagement, statistical programming (SAS), and social/behavioral sciences.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provides scientific monitoring and evaluation leadership to the BIH Program, and assists and collaborates in the monitoring and evaluation of other MCAH programs and initiatives (e.g., Perinatal Equity Initiative)

• Consults with MCAH staff, including management, junior scientific staff and program staff, local health jurisdiction staff, statewide advisory groups, and academic partners to identify data collection, analysis, and reporting needs

• Utilizes implementation science and social behavioral approaches to plan and implement evaluation studies related to the effectiveness of the BIH program services, and the factors related to the successful implementation of these services

• Leads the development of process and outcome measures and benchmarks, and utilizes evaluation results to advise MCAH on the development of program logic models, theory of change, program adaptations, and program improvements

• Provides support to junior scientific staff for the development and implementation of evaluation studies, and conducts data analyses, which includes, but is not limited to, organizing, cleaning, standardizing, and applying appropriate statistical methods and software (SAS)

• With the RS Staff, Data Systems Lead Scientist, co-leads the development and administration of the BIH cloud-based data collection and management system, including programming of live data reports and ensuring data security and confidentiality

• Maintains a working knowledge of major studies in the peer-reviewed literature related to implementation science, perinatal health, and health disparities, particularly topics connected to the program(s) position is charged to evaluate

• Acts as a scientific advisor and evaluation consultant to junior scientists, contractors, policy analysts and other health professionals conducting studies or evaluations of perinatal health, health equity, or other MCAH programs

• Prepares internal documentation of evaluation research and scientific fact sheets, develop data dashboards or evaluation reports for local program use, and reports and papers for external outlets such as conferences and publications and for public dissemination

• Provides technical assistance to MCAH program staff and local implementing agencies to support data collection or data interpretation as needed for program evaluation and quality improvement, and develops and implements data collection trainings

Telework Policy and Residency Requirement:

This position may be eligible for telework. 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.

Minimum Qualifications:

Two (2) years of professional scientific research experience in epidemiology/biostatistics or closely related specialty, which shall include at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to that of a Research Scientist, Range B and possession of a master’s or doctoral degree in the required scientific specialty or in a closely related specialty.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Team leadership experience

• Strong scientific, data management, programming, and evaluation skills particularly applied in contexts around maternal, perinatal and infant health

• Education and/or work experience aligned with or closely related to one or more of the following areas: epidemiology, biostatistics, social, behavioral, health sciences, public health, psychology, and sociology

• Solutions oriented and continuous growth mindset

• A commitment to using an equity framework in data analysis

• Excellent organizational skills

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

About California Department of Public Health (CDPH)

At 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. The Human Resources Division (HRD) partners with CDPH’s programs and management to provide guidance and consultative services on HR matters that are necessary for the Department to carry out its mission to deliver quality public health services.

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