Data Modernization Senior Advisor

Overview

The Data Modernization Senior Advisor will serve as a subject matter expert, guiding public health agencies through the development and delivery of technical projects that improve the use of public health data to inform decision making. This role is aligned to the Workforce Acceleration Initiative (WAI). WAI is a federally funded CDC Foundation program with the goal of helping the nation’s public health agencies by providing them with the technology and data experts they need to accelerate their information system improvements.

The Data Modernization Senior Advisor will be hired by the CDC Foundation and assigned to Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health's Informatics Team. LDCPH is a PHAB-accredited local health department established in 1942 through a joint agreement between Douglas County and the City of Lawrence, serving approximately 122,000 residents. Douglas County includes the City of Lawrence, home to the University of Kansas and Haskell Indian Nations University, as well as the communities of Eudora, Lecompton, and Baldwin City, home to Baker University. The Advisor will develop and implement LDCPH's strategy for increasingly effective use of data and information through improvements in information systems, data governance and security policies, workforce capacity, and work processes. This position will strategically direct LDCPH's data modernization efforts, identifying and addressing needs, gaps, and opportunities in the organization's data ecosystem. The data ecosystem includes both the technical data infrastructure and the workforce that relies on and works with the data infrastructure and the data itself, including systems and data of external partners. This position will combine deep expertise in public health operations with expertise in the development, maintenance, operation, enhancement, and configuration of information systems, and with knowledge of advanced information technology, tools, and processes.

The ideal candidate will have deep knowledge about organizations in the public health informatics landscape, technical infrastructure, and proven experience in informatics-oriented work with public health organizations and in working with agency leaders to develop and implement systems improvement strategies. Strong communication and partnership skills are required to succeed in this role.

This position is eligible for a fully remote work arrangement for U.S. based candidates.

Responsibilities

· Align with agency leadership and key personnel to clarify agency information needs and opportunities for highly impactful systems improvement, and to plan and implement those improvements within the limits of agency resources.

· Develop and lead implementation of the organization’s data modernization strategy, addressing improvements in information systems, data governance and security policies, workforce capacity, and work processes in collaboration with staff throughout the organization.

· Provide expert technical advisement and guidance on information systems identifying, procuring, and enhancing information systems, systems architecture, and other data infrastructure.

· Lead, advocate for, and/or cultivate the organization’s data modernization, data governance, data interoperability integration, and data security efforts.

· Develop infrastructure, policies, and tools to ensure timely, appropriate data sharing and access, including enterprise-wide data accessibility standards and requirements to be applied to all information systems and procurements.

· Serve as a liaison to external organizations to establish data exchange agreements, identify interoperability and integration opportunities, and facilitate data linkage.

· Develop and implement strategies for achieving cutting-edge, advanced data analytics and visualization capabilities.

· Ensure organization staff and partners have appropriate access to data for timely, informed operations and decision-making.

· Lead the development of and update data inventories of the organization’s data and information system resources.

· Assess data needs within divisions and programs to identify gaps and areas for integration and establish consequent priorities and plans.

· Ensure establishment and maintenance of a data governance process, including the implementation of strategies for effective standards, policies, practices, and procedures throughout the organization.

· Ensure interoperability across the organization’s information systems and with information systems of external partners.

· Up to 10% domestic travel may be required.

Qualifications

· Bachelor's degree in public health, computer information systems, health informatics, epidemiology or other related field from an accredited college or university. Master’s degree preferred.

· Minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience with direct experience in epidemiology, informatics, data science, or information systems development related to public health. Including a minimum of 5 years of experience leading or collaborating with partners in the development of technical data strategies and infrastructure.

· Experience working with local or tribal health departments, understanding their operational context, resource constraints, and relationship with state health agencies.

· Understanding of information systems development and use, data and system life cycles, requirements development and good practices for developing information systems and processes.

· Understanding of data use within public health, including the advantages and challenges associated with common data sources, systems and work processes, such as immunization registries, disease surveillance platforms, electronic health records, and state grant reporting systems.

· Experience developing workforce procedures for data system access, security protocols, and staff onboarding/offboarding related to information systems.

· Familiarity with successful and failed efforts to improve data exchange and use within public health.

· Familiarity with public health informatics frameworks and strategic guidance at state and national levels.

· Familiarity with HIPAA requirements and data security frameworks relevant to public health information systems.

· Strong project management skills, ability to meet deadlines, and ability to adapt to changing priorities.

· Ability to engage with, listen to and learn from a broad range of stakeholders, encouraging their meaningful participation.

· Ability to communicate in a clear, positive manner with staff, leadership, and external partners, both in writing and verbally, including the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences.

· Experience presenting technical strategy and recommendations to governing boards, elected officials, or senior leadership to inform policy and budget decisions.

· Superior organizational skills and attention to detail.

· Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to listen well and effectively represent the organization and its mission.

· Ability to collaborate effectively with technical implementation teams to ensure strategic plans align with technical capabilities and constraints.

· Demonstrated ability to lead organizational change management in public health settings, including stakeholder engagement and adoption strategies.

Job Highlights

· Location: Remote, must be based in the United States, Up to 10% domestic travel may be required.

· Salary Range: $135,000 - $166,050, per year, plus benefits. Individual salary offers will be based on experience and qualifications unique to each candidate.

· Position Type: Grant funded, limited-term opportunity

· Position End Date: June 30, 2027

Special Notes

This role is involved in a dynamic public health program. As such, roles and responsibilities are subject to change as situations evolve. Roles and responsibilities listed above may be expanded upon or updated to match priorities and needs, once written approval is received by the CDC Foundation in order to best support the public health programming.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, mental or physical disabilities, veteran status, and all other characteristics protected by law. We comply with all applicable laws including E.O. 11246 and the Vietnam Era Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 governing employment practices and do not discriminate on the basis of any unlawful criteria in accordance with 41 C.F.R. §§ 60-300.5(a)(12) and 60-741.5(a)(7). As a federal government contractor, we take affirmative action on behalf of protected veterans.

The CDC Foundation is a smoke-free environment.

Relocation expenses are not included.

About the CDC Foundation

The CDC Foundation helps CDC save and improve lives by unleashing the power of collaboration between CDC, philanthropies, corporations, organizations and individuals to protect the health, safety and security of America and the world. The CDC Foundation is the go-to nonprofit authorized by Congress to mobilize philanthropic partners and private-sector resources to support CDC’s critical health protection mission. The CDC Foundation manages hundreds of programs each year impacting a variety of health threats from chronic disease conditions including cardiovascular disease and cancer, to infectious diseases like rotavirus and HIV, to emergency responses, including COVID-19 and Ebola. Visit www.cdcfoundation.org for more information.