DIRECTOR FOR SCIENCE

Director for Science (DS)

The Director for Science (DS) is an executive team member responsible for providing Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) with vision and leadership in promoting quality, integrity, and implementation of public health science and helping to encourage the application of science to solve important public health problems that impact the residents of Cook County. Assists managers across the department (including environmental health, communicable diseases, public health emergencies, health promotion and prevention, and other public health functions) with monitoring and interpreting data, including multiple and complex population health status indicators, and developing a prioritized research agenda that will inform evidence-based policies and practices to improve and promote population health. Provides oversight and leadership in major cross-cutting scientific activities, represents the department and the Chief Operating Officer on high-level internal and external scientific activities and groups, develops and advances the department’s research priorities, maintains regular, transparent, communication with the broader Cook County Health (CCH) science community, and contributes to problem solving (e.g., the Change Institute priority areas).

Typical Duties

• Identifies priority strategic science questions (i.e., research agenda) and leads department-level engagements to promote and address these topics.
• Aligns and coordinates with the CCH Office of Life Sciences and Research in addressing health concerns (e.g., priority conditions identified by The Change Institute).
• Partners with stakeholders to identify key research questions and a shared vision as guiding principles for program development, implementation, evaluation, and community action.
• Identifies opportunities to strengthen systems and processes that support the conduct of public health science (e.g., academic research partnerships, IRB, data use agreements, policies, and standard templates).
• Identifies research opportunities for managers, and encourages appropriate internal and external collaborations with community, academic, and other stakeholders related to science issues.
• Advances health equity science (HES) by increasing CCDPH’s contribution to evidence-base for reducing health disparities (e.g., conduct analysis of HES portfolio; provide TA during the scientific writing and clearance process; provide guidance for selection of journals and dissemination of findings).
• Promotes learning opportunities regarding the production of science and an evidence base to guide work and demonstrate population health impact.
• Assists CCDPH units with analyzing program data and, for example, working with the communication and marketing team to produce evidence-based community educational materials (e.g., subject briefs, infographics).
• Assists in establishing mentoring, peer advising, coaching or other personal development opportunities for the public health workforce by identifying or developing training opportunities on scientific integrity related policies and practices for CCDPH staff.
• Participates in the design, implementation, and update of protocols for a meaningful and effective quality assurance program for CCDPH.
• Establishes a set of quality standards for manuscripts entering clearance process; eventually establish an eClearance process.
• Makes presentations to medical centers, universities, and community-based organizations about research priorities, findings, and opportunities for community participation.
• Remains current in public health research trends, developments, scientific innovations through literature review and ongoing participation in appropriate continuing medical education activities.
• Implements and operationalizes the process for manuscript concept development and streamlined clearance process.
• Monitors, tracks, and reports publications by CCDPH staff to ensure quality, transparency, and accountability.
• Represents CCDPH on high-level internal and external scientific activities and groups to gain insight for developing and advancing CCDPH research priorities.
• Represents CCDPH at meetings of local, state, and national associations concerned with the health of the population as assigned.
• Participates or leads teams to evaluate the impact of programs and services and improve processes.
• Participates in ongoing education and training to ensure culturally competent research inquiries, services, and where possible, linguistically specific services.
• Performs other duties as assigned to support CCDPH.

Minimum Qualifications

• Doctorate degree (e.g., PhD, MD, DO, DPH) or foreign equivalent from an accredited medical college or university PLUS one (1) year of experience conducting public health (or health-related) research, such as surveillance, monitoring and evaluation, epidemiology, disease registries, outbreak investigations, environmental/occupational health, health promotion and disease prevention; OR Master of Science (MS) degree PLUS four (4) years of experience conducting public health (or health-related) research, such as surveillance, monitoring and evaluation, epidemiology, disease registries, outbreak investigations, environmental/occupational health, health promotion and disease prevention.
• Demonstrated record of publications in peer-reviewed scientific/health-related journals (e.g., JAMA, AJPH, Public Health Reports), having authored or coauthored papers and/or serving as Principal Investigator (or co-PI) for research grants.
• Must be trained and certified in NIMS FEMA IS-100, 200, 700 and 800 management within six (6) months of employment.
• Must be trained and certified in NIMS FEMA IS-300 and 400 management within twelve (12) months of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics

• Knowledge and experience using methods for interacting sensitively, effectively, and professionally with persons from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial, ethnic, and professional backgrounds and persons of all ages and lifestyle preferences.
• Excellent verbal, written communication, and interpersonal skills necessary to communicate with all levels of staff, external stakeholders, and a patient population composed of diverse cultures and age groups.
• Demonstrate analytical and organizational, problem-solving, critical thinking and conflict management/resolution skills.
• Demonstrate attention to detail, accuracy, and precision.
• Ability to prioritize, plan and organize projects and tasks.
• Ability to train by presenting concepts and demonstrating tasks.

Veteran Preference

When applying for employment with the Cook County Health & Hospitals System, preference is given to honorably discharged Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States for not less than 6 months of continuous service.

To take advantage of this preference a Veteran must :

• Meet the minimum qualifications for the position.
• Identify self as a Veteran on the employment application by answering yes to the question, “Are you a Military Veteran?”
• Attach a copy of their DD 214, DD 215 or NGB 22 (Notice of Separation at time of application filing. Please note: If you have multiple DD214s, 215s, or NGB 22S, please submit the one with the latest date. Coast Guard must submit a certified copy of the military separation from either the Department of Transportation (Before 9/11) or the Department of Homeland Security (After 9/11). Discharge papers must list an Honorable Discharge Status. Discharge papers not listing an Honorable Discharge Status are not acceptable.

OR

A copy of a valid State ID Card or Driver’s License which identifies the holder of the ID as a Veteran, may also be attached to the application at time of filing.

If items are not attached, you will not be eligible for Veteran Preference.

VETERANS MUST PROVIDE ORIGINAL APPLICABLE DISCHARGE PAPERS OR APPLICABLE STATE ID CARD OR DRIVER’S LICENSE AT TIME OF INTERVIEW.

Benefits Package

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Basic Term Life Insurance
• Pension Plan
• Deferred Compensation Program
• Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time
• You may also qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
• 100% Tuition Reimbursement for nursing-related programs

For further information on our excellent benefits package, please click on the following link:

Degrees and transcripts from non-U.S. accredited institutions must be translated and certified to the US equivalent academic credentials by a recognized US education interpreter service.

Must successfully meet the credentialing standards established by the Cook County Health and Hospitals System to include a State of Illinois MD license and any other license, certification, or specialized training, etc. no later than two (2) weeks prior to the candidate’s start date.

COOK COUNTY GOVERNMENT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.