Lab Data Specialist (Data Management III)

The Division of Disease Control and Public Health Response (DCPHR) is the department’s lead surveillance, planning and response arm for public events including communicable disease outbreaks and epidemics, pandemics, bioterrorism, and other public health and mass casualty events and disasters. The division includes the Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response; State Public Health Laboratory; Health Equity Branch, Communicable Disease Branch; Immunization Branch; Public Health Informatics, Reporting, and Refugee Branch; and Operations Branch. The Division exists to ensure that the Department has the ability to effectively prepare for, monitor, detect, diagnose, investigate, and nimbly respond to all types of conditions, events and disasters that impact the public’s health.

The Work Unit:
The state public health laboratory performs laboratory testing to improve the health and safety of the citizens of Colorado. This includes disease surveillance, clinical diagnostics, and environmental quality testing. The laboratory data unit supports this testing by providing electronic test ordering, reporting, data workflow management, instrument integration, and information system support. This unit also manages electronic reporting to other state and federal partners to meet grant requirements.

What you will be doing...
This position serves as a fully-operational Data Manager III to support the state laboratory staff and their external partners. This position assures that demographic and scientific data is accurately collected and reported to and from the laboratory to internal stakeholders. This position ensures that data specifications are up to date and manages the multiple components of ordering and delivering laboratory data electronically. This includes sFTP transmission of data, the state laboratories web portals, generation of messages by the original data system, and any downstream data transformations that occur.

Laboratory Information System Configuration  
This position required knowledge in configuring data information systems to meet the specification provided by the state laboratory’s programs and partners. This position must be capable of understanding the process of complex data systems, how data is captured, how it is interpreted, and how it is reported. To perform these duties, the positon must: 

• Collaborate with state laboratory staff, local public health agencies, and other stakeholders to assess their statistical analysis and data reporting needs, and incorporate those considerations into the design of data visualizations and reports. 
• Work with laboratory staff to determine the most appropriate strategies for and plan the design of collecting and using scientific data, in accordance with specifications, principles, and practices of programming and system analysis. 
• Test updates to the data system and perform validation testing to assure the systems functions appropriately and correctly reports data

• Understands and follows standard electronic reporting formats such as Health Level 7(HL7), LOINC, and SNOMED.
• Follows HIPAA “minimum necessary” privacy standards to provide access to sensitive data containing PHI.  Collaborates with state laboratory staff and external partners to maximize impact of finite resources and to maintain data access while following data privacy rules.

• Collaborate with state laboratory staff, local public health agencies, and other stakeholders to assess their statistical analysis and data reporting needs, and incorporate those considerations into the design of data visualizations and reports. 
• Implement and oversee data collection, design, and analysis from data systems.
• Identify data integration, integrity, and validation issues and propose solutions in accordance with industry best practices.

Residency Requirement:

Class Code & Classification Description: 

Six (6) years of relevant experience* in collecting, storing, and creating reports from a database or managing, designing, and enhancing data systems and workflows for reporting functionality and data management. 

OR

A combination of related education** in public health, epidemiology, business analytics, business intelligence, data science, information technology, computer science and/or relevant experience*  in collecting, storing, and creating reports from a database or managing, designing, and enhancing data systems and workflows for reporting functionality and data management work assigned equal to six (6) years.

• Experience in developing programmatic and process-oriented evaluation tools
• Experience providing communication to both internal and external stakeholders
• Knowledge and proficiency of Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to understand written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Knowledge of software tools such as Tableau, Mirth, WinSCP, Telerik used to extract data and
  transmit data from a database
• Knowledge of how data is stored in traditional relational databases and data systems
• Experience with basic data system functionality, developing site collections, team sites, collaboration sites, use of templates, configuring lists, libraries, views, content types, and metadata
• Experience with data system administration, managing permissions, troubleshooting problems, and assisting in problem resolution
• Understanding computer languages and software compatibility
• Ability to interpret, analyze, summarize data and report findings of analysis
• Experience coordinating timely completion of data project deliverables with coworkers and customers
• Experience monitoring, assessing and addressing causes of discrepancies within a data collection system
• Experience successfully using various data management and analysis tools (primary tools used
  by this position include Tableau, R, Telerik, Microsoft Excel and Access)
• Experience working with vital statistics, medical professionals, toxicology labs, or other sensitive health data, including managing sensitive data such as HIPAA, PII, and PHI data
• Experience working with data providers, requesting documents or reports, and the communication skills to negotiate or modify a sharing agreement
• Ability to set, track, and accomplish priorities, goals, and timetables to achieve maximum productivity, knowing the status of activities at all times
• Ability to coordinate with software vendors and IT support staff to implement software changes to software including enhancements and versioning
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and to exercise tact, discretion, and sound judgment.
• Ability to seek relevant facts and information from a universe of data
• Knowledge and understanding of database concepts, architecture, and processes
• Ability to implement projects and bring to completion on time and within budget
• Ability to follow a systematic process of checking to see whether a product or service being developed is meeting specified requirements and making continuous quality improvements as needed.
• Ability to analyze and compile data into a clear, concise report
• Knowledge of IT-related systems and IT business needs

• Pursuant to CDPHE policy, a criminal history background check is required for all positions at CDPHE 
• Must be available in the event of an emergency, (e.g., bio-terrorist attack, chemical attack, disease outbreak or all hazards) and be required to report to work immediately at the regular or alternate location. During this time, travel restrictions may be in place.
• Must be available in the event of the activation of the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) and be required to report to work immediately at the regular or alternate location. During this time, travel restrictions may be in place.
• Hybrid position and will require time on-site that is determined by the division/manager.
• Ability to travel alone to receive/provide training, networking, conference attendance one to two weeks a year.
• On-site position

Appeal Rights:

An applicant who has been removed from an employment list or removed from consideration during the selection process may request a review by the State Personnel Director.

As an applicant directly affected by the results of the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file a written appeal with the State Personnel Director.

Review of the completed, signed and submitted appeal will be timely on the basis of written material submitted by you, using the official appeal form signed by you or your representative. This form must be completed and delivered to the State Personnel Board by email at dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the Department’s action.

A complete application packet must include:

1. A completed State of Colorado application.

2. If using education to qualify, a copy of your college/university transcripts. Transcripts must be attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application.

3. If you are a veteran, a copy of your DD214 attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application.

The Selection Process:

1. All applications that are received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications proceed to the next step.

2. Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process.

   • Part of, or all of, the comparative analysis for this position may be a structured application review, which involves a review of the information you submit in your application materials by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) against the preferred qualifications.

3. A top group, up to six candidates, will be invited to schedule an interview with the hiring manager.

E-Verify:  CDPHE uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

You must be legally eligible to work in the United States to be appointed to this position. CDPHE does not sponsor non-residents of the United States.

ADAAA Accommodations:
The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them.  Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator at cdphe_benefits@state.co.us.