Cancer Epidemiologist (Public Service Administrator, Opt. 6C)

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Public Health is seeking a highly motivated individual to perform complex technical and advisory functions to evaluate quality, completeness, and validity of cancer data, to identify program problems and prepare methods to alleviate the problems. Under general direction, develops, designs, and conducts highly technical planning and analytical studies of complex scientific research projects in the field of cancer epidemiology. Using scientific and epidemiologic approaches, performs and coordinates scientific investigations and specialized surveillance activities using data from the Illinois State Cancer Registry and other available data sources. Designs data management systems and organizational structures; implements new systems, structures, and linkages of data from various department programs; evaluates operations of the cancer research unit's activities. Exercises considerable originality to adapt and expand existing statistical techniques to develop solutions to important research questions. Maintains extensive personal contacts, both within and outside the agency. Assists Department staff in the use of Cancer Registry data and research findings. Serves as Cancer Epidemiologist of the Illinois State Cancer Registry Research Section, Division of Epidemiologic Studies.

Benefits Statement

As a State of Illinois Employee, you will receive a robust benefit package that includes the following:

• Flexible and hybrid work schedules are available in many program areas (when available and dependent upon position)
• Competitive Group Insurance benefits including health, life, dental and vision plans.
• Pension plan through the State Employees Retirement System
• Deferred Compensation Program – voluntary supplemental retirement plan
• Optional pre-tax programs -Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP) & Dependent Care Assistant Plan (DCAP)
• 10-25 days of paid vacation time annually (10 days for first year of state employment)
• 12 paid sick days annually which carryover year to year
• 3 paid personal business days per calendar year (pro-rated dependent on start date)
• 13-14 paid holidays per year
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• Employee Assistance Program and/or mental health resources

These are just a few of the many perks available to all State employees. For more information about our benefits please follow this link: https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/benefits/Pages/default.aspx

Essential Functions

• Develops, designs, implements, and independently conducts analytical studies of highly complex scientific research projects using the Illinois State Cancer Registry database and conducts special studies of the possible causal relationships between hazardous toxic substances and cancer.
• Using independent judgment, engages in timely collection, assembly, analysis and evaluation of cancer surveillance, control, and prevention data related to studies on cancer burden, trend, disparity, and exposure to hazardous toxic substances with appropriate review of study design and scientific literature.
• Reviews project report presentations and assures they are in a comprehensive, professional, scientific form that can be understood by agency management.
• Determines priorities and completion dates for cancer epidemiologic project studies.
• Represents the agency at executive meetings to report on the status and development of specific cancer epidemiologic projects or to advise of any issues or potential problems that require executive action.
• Conducts community cancer cluster assessments in response to community and public concerns about cancer.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor’s degree in epidemiology, demography, biostatistics, sociology, psychology, economics, or related social science research field from an accredited university.
• Requires four (4) years professional experience in applied epidemiology, biostatistics, or in population or a related research field. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in public health (MPH) from an accredited university.
• One (1) year of professional experience coordinating scientific investigations and research projects in the field of cancer epidemiology.
• Three (3) years of experience conducting surveillance and investigations to identify the magnitude of community health problems, duration trends, locations and populations at risk.
• Two (2) years of experience utilizing statistical software such as SAS, SUD ANN, SPSS, EPINFO, SEER*Stat or STATA.
• Three (3) years of experience writing reports/manuscripts, creating, and delivering presentations.
• One (1) year experience working in Microsoft software products including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, etc.

About the Agency

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is tasked with the oversight of communities within Illinois to achieve and maintain optimal health and safety. With an annual budget of over $2 billion in state and federal funds, 6 regional offices, 3 laboratories and over 1,200 employees, IDPH is equipped to fulfill its mission of protecting the health and wellness of the people of Illinois through the prevention, health promotion, regulation and control of disease and injury.