Overdose and Violent Death Abstractor, Health Program Rep Intermediate

Working Title: Overdose and Violent Death Abstractor
Job Class: Health Program Representative Intermediate
Agency: Health Department

• Job ID: 95965
• Location: St. Paul
• Telework Eligible: Yes / Hybrid 50%
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers simultaneously. Bidders will be considered through 08/06/2026.
• Date Posted: 07/31/2026
• Closing Date: 08/12/2026
• Hiring Agency: Minnesota Health Department
• Division/Unit: Health Improvement / Injury Prevention and Mental Health - Substance Use Epidemiology Unit
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift / 8:0 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: Yes - Up to 50% of the time
• Salary Range: $28.75 - $42.16 / hourly; $60,030 - $88,030 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Association of Professional Employees
• FLSA Status: Nonexempt
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

The Overdose, Violent and Sudden Death Abstractor exists to conduct mortality data abstraction and support overdose and injury surveillance activities for the Substance Use Epidemiology Unit within the Substance Misuse Prevention Section and the Injury and Violence Epidemiology Unit within the Injury and Violence Prevention Section. The incumbent collects, abstracts, validates, and monitors the quality of mortality data for the Statewide Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS), the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS), the Minnesota Drug Overdose and Substance Use Surveillance Activity (MNDOSA), and the Sudden Unexpected Infant Death and Sudden Death in the Young (SUID/SDY) Case Registry. Responsibilities include preparing data dictionaries, abstracting and validating required data elements, and ensuring data quality and completeness through collaboration with medical examiners, coroners, law enforcement agencies, and hospitals to meet state and federal surveillance requirements.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Conduct data abstraction and validation from multiple data sources, including medical examiners, coroners, law enforcement agencies, laboratories, investigators, and hospital medical, admissions, and billing records to support surveillance activities forthe Statewide Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS), National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS), the Minnesota Drug Overdose and Substance Use Surveillance Activity (MNDOSA), and the Sudden Unexpected Infant Death and Sudden Death in the Young (SUID/SDY) Case Registry.
• Contribute to surveillance data management, quality assurance, and analysis by maintaining surveillance data within secure systems, performing data quality and validation activities, and supporting analyses that improve epidemiologic understanding of overdose, violent and sudden death trends.
• Support data collection and surveillance initiatives across the Injury Prevention and Mental Health Division by providing technical and operational assistance for epidemiologic data collection efforts.
• Maintain and enhance professional expertise by staying current on surveillance methodologies, data abstraction practices, and project intervention strategies to ensure high-quality, accurate, and innovative program support services are delivered.
   

In accordance with HR/LR Policy #1422 Telework, this position is eligible for up to 50% telework for applicants who live in Minnesota or in a bordering state within 50 miles of the assigned work location. Candidates residing outside of Minnesota further than 50 miles of the assigned work location at the time of application must be able to relocate to Minnesota within 30 days of their start date. The telework policy may exempt employees who live more than 50 miles from their primary work location from the 50% in-office requirement, depending on job requirements, helping the State of Minnesota access top talent across the state. 

Minimum Qualifications

One (1) year of experience in public health, healthcare, epidemiology, health information management, research, or a related field. Experience must include each of the following:

• Collecting, abstracting, validating, or performing quality assurance on health, medical, public health, or other complex data from multiple sources.
• Managing, maintaining, or entering data into secure databases or information systems while ensuring data accuracy, completeness, and confidentiality.
• Interpreting and applying established policies, procedures, protocols, or technical guidance to ensure consistent and accurate data collection, reporting, or program activities.
• Obtaining, reviewing, verifying, or exchanging information with internal or external partners to support data collection, surveillance, research, or program activities.

A related degree in public health, epidemiology, health information management, health sciences, nursing, biology, biomedical sciences, medical laboratory science, statistics, data science, research methodology, or a closely related field will substitute for experience as follows:

• Doctorate may substitute for two (2) years of experience.
• Master's degree may substitute for eighteen (18) months of experience.
• Bachelor's degree may substitute for one (1) year of experience.
• Associate's degree may substitute for six (6) months of experience.

Minimum qualifications to be assessed at interview:

• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse internal and external stakeholders, including explaining technical information clearly and professionally, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with partners while exercising professionalism, tact, and sound judgment when handling sensitive or confidential information.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work by managing multiple assignments, maintaining attention to detail, and meeting deadlines while ensuring the accuracy and quality of work.
• Ability to work independently and adapt to changing priorities by exercising initiative, problem-solving skills, and sound judgment in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience abstracting or analyzing mortality, injury, public health, medical, or other surveillance data using established case definitions, coding standards, or abstraction protocols.
• Experience working with medical records, death certificates, coroner or medical examiner records, law enforcement reports, or other protected health or legal data sources.
• Knowledge of public health surveillance systems, epidemiologic methods, or disease and injury surveillance activities.
• Knowledge of ICD-10-CM, ICD-10 mortality coding, medical terminology, human anatomy, physiology, or neuropathology.
• Experience using statistical, epidemiologic, or data management software (e.g., SAS, R, SQL, REDCap, CDC surveillance systems, or similar applications) to manage, analyze, or report surveillance data.

Additional Requirements

• This position requires successful completion of a background check and employment reference check.  
• MDH does not participate in the federal E-Verify program and is unable to sponsor applicants for work visas, including F-1 STEM OPT extensions, and cannot complete Form I-9 or any other documentation requiring employer participation in E-Verify. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application.  

How to Apply 

Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

Contact

If you have questions about this position, contact Kaitlyn Crowley at katie.crowley@state.mn.us or 651-201-5984.

To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Kaitlyn Crowley at katie.crowley@state.mn.us.

If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation for an interview, you may contact the Department of Health ADA Coordinator at health.hr.ada@state.mn.us. 

About Health Department 

Come work for one of the best public health systems in the nation and you will contribute to our mission to protect, maintain and improve the health of all Minnesotans. We are working hard to achieve our vision for health equity in Minnesota, where all communities are thriving, and all people have what they need to be healthy. Our collaborative, mission-driven work environment is a major factor in promoting a high level of employee health awareness, employee longevity and job satisfaction. 

Working together to improve the state we love. 

What do Minnesota's State employees have in common? 

• A sense of purpose in their work
• Connection with their coworkers and communities
• Opportunities for personal and professional growth

Benefits 

As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.

Your benefits may include: 

• Paid vacation and sick leave 
• 12 paid holidays each year 
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans 
  • Fertility care, including IVF
  • Diabetes care
  • Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children 
• 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
• Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
• Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
• Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care 
• Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being

Support to help you reach your career goals:

• Training, classes, and professional development
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work/life support:

• A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well-being, or job performance
• Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
• Daily Living/Convenience Services: Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS 

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. State agencies are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the state and strongly encourages persons of color and Indigenous communities, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve Minnesotans.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and disabilities related to pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status regarding public assistance, disability, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law.

APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES

Minnesota state agencies make reasonable accommodations to their employees and applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance in searching or applying for jobs with the State of Minnesota, call the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us and let us know the support you need.