Project Assistant (BIDS) - Remote (R&D)

SUMMARY 

The California Border Infectious Disease Surveillance (BIDS) Program focuses on enhancing surveillance, laboratory testing, and reporting of urgent and routine infectious diseases in the US border region.  BIDS is a collaboration between the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Office of Binational Border Health (OBBH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, and the Imperial County Public Health Department.

The BIDS project assistant will work on a variety of BIDS projects, including but not limited to projects related to COVID-19, public health capacity building, cross-border collaboration, and infectious disease surveillance. The position is working remotely the majority of the time, with occasional in-person work in the California-Baja California border region.

The hourly range for this position is $20.00 per hour depending on experience/ qualifications.  

If hired for this position, you will be required to provide proof that you are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to your start date or have a valid religious or medical reason qualifying you for an exemption (that may or may not require an accommodation).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

Specific activities include, but are not limited to:

Data Management: 1) Assist with data management and updating of databases, 2) Provide technical assistance in special projects on border health issues, and 3) Assist with the development of new databases.

Word Processing: 1) Assist staff with word processing needs: correspondence, reports, and presentations, and 2) Assist with scientific literature reviews.

Communication: 1) Responsible for organizing information repository, and 2) Responsible for providing updates on tasks assigned.

Surveillance: 1) Assist with a variety of infectious disease surveillance projects, including summarizing surveillance data, and 2) Assist with on-site visits to sentinel sites.

Data Analysis: 1) Assist in collecting and analyzing data on specific health issues, 2) Assist with statistical analysis of surveillance data, 3) Assist with summarizing results of surveillance projects, and 4) Assist with preparation of materials for dissemination of project results.

Meetings: 1) Assist with coordination of meetings for special projects, including scheduling of meetings/focus groups.

Presentations: 1) Assist with creating PowerPoint presentations and ability to present for public health officials and professionals.

Fiscal: Assist with fiscal/budgetary tasks on as needed basis.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS 

Education/Experience 

• Undergraduate degree completed or in progress AND previous experience in epidemiology, biostatistics or other public health related field; OR postgraduate degree epidemiology, biostatistics, or other public health related field completed or in progress, required.
• Experience in collecting, managing, and analyzing public health data, required.
• Familiarity with infectious disease epidemiology and surveillance, required.
• Intermediate knowledge and use of R, SAS, and GIS, preferred.
• Familiarity with survey design and implementation, preferred.
• Knowledge of and skills in the use of Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, and PowerPoint, required.

Other Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities 

• Ability to maintain collaborative and professional working relationships with diverse partners and a strong sensitivity for diverse cultural practices and etiquette.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to speak and write Spanish, preferred.
• Knowledge and use of data visualization tools, preferred.
• Familiarity with the California-Baja California border region, preferred.

Certificates/Licenses/Clearances 

• A valid California driver's license, proof of vehicle insurance, and reliable transportation or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions. 

• A Valid passport and ability to travel to/from Mexico, primarily Baja California, preferred.

 PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

• Stand: Frequently
• Walk: Frequently
• Sit: Frequently
• Handling/Fingering: Occasionally
• Reach Outward: Occasionally
• Reach Above Shoulder: Occasionally
• Climb, Crawl, Kneel, Bend: Occasionally
• Lift/Carry: Occasionally – Up to 20 lbs
• Push/Pull: Occasionally – Up to 20 lbs
• See (Vision): Constantly
• Taste/Smell: Not Applicable 

KEY

• Not Applicable = Not required for essential functions
• Occasionally = (0-2 hrs/day)
• Frequently = (2+ - 5 hrs/day)
• Constantly = (5+ hrs/day)

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

Remote (90%). Must have functioning Wi-Fi/internet access at the remote location.

Occasional in-person (10%).  General office and laboratory setting, indoors, temperature controlled.

EEOC STATEMENT 

It is the policy of Heluna Health to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants, without regard to age (40 and over), national origin or ancestry, race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, reproductive health decision making, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or a record or history of cancer), AIDS or HIV, genetic information or characteristics, veteran status or military service.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

See job description

Salary Minimum: 20Salary Maximum: 20