Geospatial Analyst w/ the Public Health Institute (Richmond, CA)

https://www.phi.org/employment/current-opportunities/geospatial-analyst/

The Public Health Institute (PHI) is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting health, well-being, and quality of life for people throughout California, across the nation and around the world. As one of the largest and most comprehensive public health organizations in the nation, we are at the forefront of research and innovations to improve the efficacy of public health statewide, nationally, and internationally.

Position Summary
Tracking California
Tracking California is a program of the Public Health Institute, in collaboration with the California Department of Public Health, and our mission is to mobilize data for public health action. We “track” or compile and analyze data about public health and the environment to protect California communities. Our core values include environmental justice and health equity – we work to ensure that all Californians, regardless of location, identity, or income, have the opportunity to live in healthy communities protected from environmental hazards. To achieve this goal, we help community groups, government agencies, researchers, and health advocates shine a spotlight on environmental hazards and other factors that may be impacting community health.

We are a diverse team and currently have 25-30 projects at any one time. We aim to provide an environment in which our staff can do their best work: we provide a flexible work schedule and promote a healthy work/life balance. Our ideal candidate would align with our program values of scientific integrity and accessibility, transparency, sustainability, partnership and promoting respect, as well as a passion for social justice. We aim to build an inclusive program team that is reflective of the populations we support, and actively seek applications from individuals from communities that are marginalized and underrepresented.

Geospatial Analyst Position
Tracking California works to overcome environmental health data gaps to make data actionable for public health research and policy. We are seeking a Geospatial/GIS Data Analyst to lead a one-year project to assemble and display traffic data for California, to support researchers and public health professionals interested in the intersection between traffic, air pollution, and environmental health disparities. Currently, vehicle traffic volume data in California are collected and reported as point data, limiting their spatial coverage and utility for public health applications. The goals of this project are to assess the vehicle traffic volume data ecosystem, connect with traffic data stewards, and develop a method for modeling traffic data with greater spatial coverage onto the linear road network. The data will then be used to build a public-facing web-based tool for calculating and displaying traffic volume data, to support public health action and research.

The Geospatial/GIS Data Analyst will lead the research, assessment, and modeling of vehicle traffic volume data metrics, working with support from an interdisciplinary team. This project is expected to take approximately 60% of the Analyst’s time. The remaining time may be used for other research or analysis projects according to the candidate’s interests and program priorities. There will be opportunities for the Analyst to explore other areas of personal interest within the field of environmental health, and to develop and lead new projects that align with the Program’s mission, upon successful procurement of funds. Tracking California has a history of working in environmental epidemiology, exposure assessment, surveillance, and community-based research (current portfolio can be seen at https://trackingcalifornia.org/).

The position is currently funded for one year, but as a Program we constantly seek new funding sources for our projects, and we aim to retain strong staff. The candidate should have expertise in GIS and spatial analysis; spatial modeling; and experience and/or interest in spatial statistics and/or traffic modeling.  The candidate should have familiarity with spatial statistical software and tools used to analyze patterns, map clusters, measure geographic distribution, model spatial relationships, and working knowledge of various other tools and software for operating on large spatial datasets.

​The candidate may come from a public health background with interest in traffic data and/or environmental health; or the candidate may come from an urban planning/engineering/geography background with interest in public health. The position may be a good fit for a recent graduate looking for a post-doctoral position, and we welcome applications from candidates who are looking to move into a position of scientific leadership within the program over time.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Research internal documentation of previous traffic volume datasets, processes, and code. Document and communicate findings to a diverse team of health educators, epidemiologists, public policy, and IT staff to determine traffic data that best meet project goals and stakeholder needs.
• Establish a research plan to achieve project goals, based on review of internal documentation and discussion with project team.
• Research traffic-related datasets available for California, including vehicle traffic volume. Additional research may include data on traffic collisions, pedestrian collisions, and/or other datasets that may complement traffic volume data and its impact on public health.
• Document and contact organizations in California, including state and local government agencies, private vendors, academic partners, and others who may collect, model, or use traffic volume data. Must be comfortable in cold-contacting data stewards, arranging meeting times, developing meeting agendas and goals, and conducting informational meetings to understand data availability, uses, and limitations. Document findings.
• Based on initial research, provide scientific leadership on process to determine traffic metrics that are relevant, meaningful, accessible, and sustainable for program use.
• Obtain traffic-related data from data stewards, establishing MOUs or other data agreements, as needed. Work with other program staff to ensure technical, administrative, and budgetary needs are met to order, receive, and display data.
• Model traffic volume data, as needed, to align traffic volume with linear road network of California. Must make analytic decisions that balance spatial coverage with data integrity, and be able to communicate these decisions to project staff for discussion. Processes may include spatial interpolation, kriging, and/or imputation of missing values. Document all data sources, processes, code, and data limitations.
• Interface with data analysis subcontractors, if needed for any portion of data analysis, to translate and document their analyses and findings.
• Collaborate with IT staff and health educators to develop a public-facing data query tool that can generate and report traffic volume metrics. Assist with data translations, tool mockups, testing, and other tasks, as needed.
• Participate in meetings with project funder, as needed. Represent Tracking California on any related national workgroup calls.
• Meticulous documentation of all data findings, processes, and code is required.
• May lead the writing of research methods and findings for publication, as fitting.
• Assist with the drafting or preparation of any other project reports or publications. This may include funder reports, briefs, newsletters, slide presentations, etc. Review and prepare drafts, as requested.
• Respond to inquiries for budget planning and tracking, as needed. Work with program manager or other personnel responsible for finances to identify future budget needs, changes, gaps, and other project deliverables.
• Participate as Tracking California team member in other program activities, as needed. For some candidates, this may include identifying specific areas of personal interest to contribute to project team work, collaboration, and growth.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

 
Qualifications

• At least 3 years of related work experience and at least 5 years of combined academic and/or professional experience with spatial analysis, modeling, and statistics.
• Demonstrated knowledge of  spatial statistical tools used to analyze patterns, map clusters, measure geographic distribution, and model spatial relationships; and experience in managing and validating large spatial datasets.
• Relevant software skills such as GIS, R, SAS, Python, etc.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, and the desire to work with a diverse team with varied professional backgrounds.
• Attention to detail in writing and documentation.
• The ability to synthesize complex data and methods for audiences with varied data skills, as well as strong presentation skills.
• Ability to represent Tracking California and communicate effectively with a wide range of outside individuals and program partners with varied professional backgrounds.
• Health and/or environmental data analysis experience a plus.
• Motivated to use your data skills to improve public health a must.
• Grant-writing experience and track record preferred.

​Education

• BS degree in related field is required.
• Master’s degree in Public Health, City Planning, Engineering, Geography, or other related field or Doctoral level training is preferred.