SURVEILLANCE COORDINATOR–CROSS-CUTTING

PHMC serves as both a direct service provider to individuals, families, and communities across the region and an intermediary agent, managing large-scale contracts, government and philanthropic partnerships, and multidisciplinary initiatives that require operational sophistication, strategic leadership, and deep mission alignment.

This position is full-time, Monday through Friday, with occasional after-hours and weekend work to support Program activities.

The position is temporary and grant-funded for one year.

This position reports directly to the Program Manager of the Acute Communicable Disease Program.

Position Overview

The Cross-Cutting Surveillance Coordinator is a full-time position within the Acute Communicable Disease (ACD) Program of the Division of Disease Control (DDC) at the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH). The ACD Program is responsible for the surveillance, investigation, prevention, and control of all reportable acute communicable diseases, except tuberculosis, multidrug-resistant organisms, and sexually transmitted diseases. The position requires working in a multidisciplinary team with disease surveillance investigators, nurses, physicians, and epidemiologists.

The Cross-Cutting Surveillance Coordinator will provide general support for disease surveillance, investigation, response, enhanced surveillance projects, and educational outreach efforts for reportable diseases under ACD's purview. This position will lead and contribute to efforts to update existing ACD disease prevention and control manuals and other resources, and when needed, develop new content. This position will also provide backup support for Disease-Specific Surveillance Coordinators in ACD during outbreaks or other major responses.

This job may require moderate physical effort, including lifting materials and equipment of less than 50 pounds, and involves viewing a CRT or VDT screen 50 to 75 percent of the time. The position requires responding to public health emergencies and, at times, requires rapid turnaround of communications on short notice. PDPH follows the City of Philadelphia's return-to-office policies.

Responsibilities

Key activities of this position include

• Supporting surveillance and investigation of communicable diseases by completing case interviews and reviewing completed case investigations for appropriate case classification and public health management.
• Participating in disease prevention and control response to cases, clusters, and outbreaks of communicable diseases.
• Providing backup support for Disease-Specific Surveillance Coordinators in ACD during outbreaks and other major responses.
• Coordinating laboratory testing for communicable disease surveillance and response with public health reference labs.
• Coordinating and participating in efforts to update communicable disease manuals and other resources that summarize actions for public health response for various audiences (e.g., ACD staff, congregate settings, etc.).
• Develop new resources for communicable disease response to supplement existing guidance or ensure readiness for future response.
• Perform analyses of communicable disease surveillance data for reports and internal briefings.
• Participate in telephone duty during normal business hours in DDC, including case report collection and provision of clinical or public health recommendations to healthcare professionals, settings of concern for disease transmission, and the general public, as appropriate to control the spread of infectious diseases.
• Participating in emergency preparedness exercises and outbreak response.

Skills

• Demonstrated understanding of general concepts related to infectious disease transmission, prevention, and control.
• Excellent organizational skills, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to organize and present information effectively.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, including demonstrated technical writing proficiency.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (e.g., Excel) and REDCap or similar data management software.
• Basic SAS programming skills or demonstrated experience working with other analytic software.
• Flexibility, professionalism, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously are highly valued attributes.
• Equally comfortable working individually and within a team environment that emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration in a dynamic urban health department.
• A valid driver's license is required to facilitate local travel for investigative activities.

Experience

• Basic SAS programming skills or demonstrated experience working with other analytic software

Education Requirement

• Master's degree, preferably in epidemiology, public health, or science

Salary

The position salary range is $62,000-$72,000 (commensurate with experience). This position comes with a comprehensive benefits package consisting of medical and dental coverage, as well as paid sick, vacation, and personal time.

Contact Information

HOW TO APPLY: At the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, we value health justice and equity. Our work is guided by a commitment to all people's health and humanity, and we recognize the impact that health disparities have on our City's diverse population. We are dedicated to building a staff that reflects the diversity of Philadelphia. We are an EEO employer, and we are committed to providing a diverse, inclusive, safe workplace free from discrimination, sexual harassment, intimidation, or retaliation.

Applicants who are originally from and live in the Philadelphia area are strongly encouraged to apply.

To apply for this position, please use the PHMC UltiPro portal or send a cover letter and resume or CV via email to Dana Perella, MPH, Acute Communicable Disease Program Manager at acd@phila.gov. Please name materials in the following convention: LastName_FirstName_Document (e.g., resume or cover letter). Include in the subject line: Cross-Cutting Surveillance Coordinator. Applicants selected for an interview will be asked to provide a writing sample. For questions regarding the position, please contact the Division of Disease Control at 215-685-6740.

PHMC is an Equal Opportunity and E-Verify Employer.