This Data Systems Team Manager position is a leadership position within the Analytics & Informatics Branch of the Communicable Disease Epidemiology and Immunization (CD-Imms) Section in Public Health – Seattle & King County’s Prevention Division. This position offers a unique opportunity to collaborate on innovative projects and contribute to the development of novel systems in the data modernization field. They will manage and expand the Section’s informatics and analytic data streams for notifiable communicable diseases and immunizations. Responsibilities include overseeing surveillance data projects, grants, and studies, as well as providing direct supervision, engagement, and mentorship to team staff. The role will represent the Section and collaborate across teams to advance King County’s efforts toward the data modernization initiative.  This position reports to the Analytics and Informatics Branch Manager.

The Analytics and Informatics section is staffed with a talented and mission-driven team that works collaboratively, is solution oriented, and creates an environment of mutual respect. This position offers an exciting opportunity to build upon the strong foundation that’s been established during the COVID-19 pandemic to improve our support and services for the Program. Our Analytics and Informatics team collects, manages, analyzes and interprets the Department’s communicable disease and immunization data, to include, COVID-19, general communicable diseases (e.g., vaccine preventable diseases, enterics, foodborne illness, zoonotics, healthcare associated infections), acute and chronic hepatitis, immunizations and emerging diseases.

The Communicable Disease Epidemiology and Immunization (CD-Imms) section resides within the Prevention Division here in Public Health – Seattle & King County. The CD-Imms section focuses on three major functions: disease surveillance and data communication, case investigation, and disease prevention and control. The section is composed of 4 teams: Investigations, Analytics and Informatics, Immunization, and Administration. We are a large, skilled, passionate team of scientists that oversees the 65+ reportable diseases and conditions (excluding TB, STD and HIV) from healthcare professionals and laboratories in King County. Our work includes investigating cases and identifying other exposed persons requiring follow up; monitoring and analyzing surveillance data for trends to identify opportunities for disease prevention; and coordinating with community partners to conduct outreach to populations affected by communicable disease. We also lead immunization strategies to increase vaccine uptake especially among school age children and groups at high risk of severe outcomes. Cross-collaboration across teams is central to our workflow and each team supports one another to achieve the objectives of the section.

Commitment To Equity and Social Justice

Named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation’s history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.

The county government has a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from all communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.

We recognize that structural racism consists of principles and practices that cause and justify an inequitable distribution of rights, opportunities, and experiences across racial groups. Since declaring Racism is a Public Health Crisis in June 2020, King County and Public Health committed to being intentionally anti-racist and accountable to Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities.

To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/equity-social-justice.aspx

Job Duties

Job function # 1: Lead and manage the Data Systems Team to develop, enhance, and support the collection, integration, storage, and management of data for communicable disease surveillance, investigation, immunization strategies, outbreak response activities, and public health decision-making.

• Serve as the Public Health Departments representative for the planning and implementation of a statewide notifiable condition database upgrade in collaboration with governmental public health system partners. Coordinate efforts across program areas to ensure successful execution and integration of modern systems for notifiable condition data collection and reporting.
• Identify opportunities or new technologies to make data processing and analyses more efficient. Lead initiatives to develop scalable, efficient, automated processes for large-scale data analyses, model development, validation, and implementation to support timely public health decision-making.
• Develop, contribute to, and enact analytic plans; database development and queries; quality assurance/data quality improvement, and provide documentation; training; and technical assistance to other staff such as epidemiologists and team managers.
• Conduct thorough quality assurance and quality improvement (QA/QI) assessments of team operations, including workflow processes, documentation procedures, and data management protocols. Develop comprehensive plans to implement QA/QI initiatives and address areas for enhancement.

Job function # 2: Serve as the section representative for the data modernization initiative and build collaborative partnerships within Public Health – Seattle King County and across external groups.

• Collaborate with teams across Public Health – Seattle King County (PHSKC) to achieve the department’s informatics strategic plan. Document and analyze existing workflows and data pathways of existing data infrastructure. Identify opportunities for improvements, communicate needs to decision-makers, and implement necessary changes to enhance data systems.
• Work with partners to advance racial equity through effective utilization of communicable disease and immunization data, including improving accuracy and completeness of race/ethnicity fields, establishing best practices for incorporating race and ethnicity in public health data analyses, and implementing strategies to address disparities in health outcomes.
• Collaborate with partners to establish a robust framework for the collaborative design, engagement, implementation, and evaluation of modern systems for notifiable conditions data collection and reporting.
• Foster open communication and engagement to ensure alignment of goals and objectives and ensure compliance with data governance and security requirements.

Job function # 3: Lead, supervise, and mentor staff while fostering an inclusive team culture.

• Lead and manage the Analytics & Informatics Data Systems Team as a people leader, providing direction, supervision, and mentorship to staff under the guidance of the Analytics & Informatics Branch Manager and Section leadership. Cultivate a positive and inclusive team culture that fosters open communication, collaboration, accountability, engagement, creativity, innovation, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee the lifecycle of staff management including recruitment, hiring, onboarding, training, technical assistance, oversight, performance evaluations, and professional development opportunities.
• Foster collaboration and productive working relationships by integrating input and perspectives from branch leaders, section leaders, subject matter experts, and epidemiologists across Public Health.
• Lead by example, demonstrating strong leadership qualities such as integrity, adaptability, mutual respect, and resilience in navigating complex challenges and driving organizational change.
• Proactively manage and resolve any conflicts within the team or with partners to ensure successful interactions and outcomes. Provide constructive feedback routinely, and address performance issues in a timely manner to ensure cohesive team dynamics and successful outcomes.
• Establish clear goals, objectives, and performance metrics for the team, regularly monitoring progress, communicating status updates to branch and section leadership, and adjusting strategies as needed to achieve desired outcomes.
• Train and mentor staff on data infrastructure, tools, procedures, and standards. Document best practices, process workflows, and facilitate knowledge sharing among team members.
• Provide backup coverage for the Analytics & Informatics branch and team managers by overseeing daily operations, decision-making, and team coordination in their absence, ensuring continuity and alignment with branch goals and priorities.

Job function # 4: Oversee data system and surveillance grant projects related to data modernization and public health initiatives.

• Collaborate with the Washington State Department of Health (WA DOH) on Emerging Infections Program (EIP) and oversee the local implementation of respiratory virus surveillance and reporting activities, ensuring accurate and timely data collection.
• Coordinate with hospital systems to improve access to electronic medical records (EMR) information, enhancing data integration for comprehensive surveillance.
• Oversee the lifecycle of grants and projects, ensuring alignment with strategic goals, timelines, and budget constraints.
• Develop and implement project plans, including defining scope, objectives, deliverables, and resource needs. Provide regular updates and reports to stakeholders to ensure transparency and accountability.

INTERVIEW PROCESS

DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION