Senior Specialist, Data Modernization and Informatics

Introduction:

The mission of the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) is to advance and transform public health practice by championing performance improvement, strong infrastructure, and innovation. PHAB is the accrediting body for Tribal, state, local, and territorial governmental public health departments in the U.S. Accreditation provides a means for a public health department to identify performance improvement opportunities, to improve management, develop leadership, and improve relationships with members of the community. PHAB is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism (IDEA) and is on an ongoing journey to build an inclusive and welcoming organization.

Position Summary:

The Senior Specialist, Data Modernization and Informatics will contribute to PHAB’s data modernization efforts, including support of project management and implementation of PHAB’s role in the Public Health Infrastructure Grant’s Data Modernization Implementation Center Program. As part of this initiative, CDC is funding PHAB, the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, and the National Network of Public Health Institutes to stand up Implementation Centers to support the state, Tribal, local, and territorial health departments to implement DMI projects. The Senior Specialist will use their subject matter expertise to inform PHAB’s work with these organizations on a portfolio of DMI implementation projects to realize CDC’s Public Health Data Strategy and toward building out PHAB’s institutionalization of this work through accreditation. This position will participate in the Project Management Office with ASTHO and NNPHI partners; work to implement collaboratively designed governance processes to structure Implementation Center work and assure quality; contribute to strategy discussions; and work across Units and Teams within PHAB to connect with the project evaluation and broader PHIG work. This project is complex, multi-faceted, and fast-paced. The ideal candidate will enjoy identifying opportunities for alignment and efficiency across disparate activities and teams; collaborating with experts offering varying perspectives to inform program strategy; and designing solutions to work around barriers to chart a path to success for public health agency partners.

Position Responsibilities:

• Support the STL and Tribal Implementation Center work by attending and participating in regular STL and Tribal IC meetings and managing tasks around the IC implementation work, including both completing tasks and assigning tasks to other PHAB staff and tracking completion.
• Contribute to project management and collaboration across partner organizations, Implementation Centers, including staffing workgroups/workstreams.
• Contribute to management and organization of large amounts of project data including the PHAB PHIG SharePoint site (managing folders/links); collaborative project management boards; and outputs from project Workstreams including the Reporting workstream dashboard.
• Implement project activities, including but not limited to developing and reviewing tools and resources, other deliverables and participating in PMO activities (e.g., conference calls with ICs).
• Provide subject and technical expertise on data modernization and informatics internally and externally. In collaboration with the PHIG Project Manager, explore innovative and efficient ways to improve work, communications, and engagement with internal and external stakeholders
• Contribute to grant writing, reporting, and internal monitoring and documenting of deliverables and performance.
• Attend project meetings, conferences, and events as needed.
• Develop tools, resources, and other materials to support health departments and Implementation Centers in data modernization efforts.
• Contribute to program planning and strategy at all points in program development.
• Translate learnings from programming into work products and strategy, particularly as it relates to accreditation standards and measures, liaising with staff from other PHAB Units/Teams on workplan implementation.
• Liaise internally with the Implementation Center program evaluation team and contractor.

Knowledge and Skills required:

• Advanced degree in public health, informatics, data, or related field.
• Five to seven years of experience, with preference for those with experience working within or with local, state, Tribal and/or territorial/freely associated state health departments and/or national or federal public health experience
• Experience working with Tribal governments, and familiarity with Tribal sovereignty, funding structures, and community-driven health initiatives is preferred.
• Demonstrated technical knowledge in the field of governmental public health, public health data and data modernization, informatics, surveillance systems, public health transformation, and equity as related to these topics.
• Demonstrated experience with data exchange between health departments and external partners such as laboratories, HIEs, and healthcare providers using Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR).
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate with funders, partners, and contractors on complex initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with internal and external partners.
• Familiarity with national HIE policy develop and standards adoption processes.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills as shown by technical and nontechnical writing, presentations to a variety of audiences.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, customer-service, and organization skills.
• Excellent ability to work with and support small working groups of diverse teammates and people
• Ability to work independently and be self-directed and self-motivated.
• Excellent ability to handle multiple projects and organize materials and people to achieve outcomes within tight timelines.
• Ability to synthesize intentionally and translate concepts into products.
• Skilled in the use of technology to manage projects and communicate with diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively with peers in a team-oriented environment.
• Proficient in database and computer application systems and computer literacy.
• Ability to travel up to 10%.

Role Impact:

The Senior Specialist, Data Modernization and Informatics contributes to the success of PHAB, under the direction of the Senior Advisor, DMI and the general direction of the Lead Advisor. This position contributes directly to the development and implementation of PHAB’s work in support of data modernization for public health infrastructure improvement. This position’s responsibilities will directly impact several of PHAB’s Strategic Priority areas, PHAB’s mission in accordance with stated goals and workplans, and will contribute to raising the visibility of PHAB in advancing public health practice.

VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS: PHAB recommends but does not require its staff, volunteers, interns, fellows, assignees, and meeting attendees be up to date with an FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccination series, including boosters. Other risk-mitigation measures, such as wearing masks in our offices or in meeting settings are also optional.

EEO STATEMENT: PHAB is committed to equal employment opportunity. We do not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, religious creed, physical disability, mental disability, age, medical conduction (e.g. cancer or a record or history of cancer), marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Our management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities and general treatment during employment.