Leadership

Laboratory Science, Policy and Practice Program Office

Paula Burch
Management Officer

Paula J. Burch is the Management Officer of the Laboratory Science Policy and Practice Program Office (LSPPPO), Office of Surveillance, Epidemiology and Laboratory (OSELS). She joined the office on a detail assignment when the office was being formed in 2010 and permanently reassigned August 2010.

Ms. Burch began her federal career in 1989 in what was then called the Personnel Management Office on a temporary appointment and was converted in 1990 as a permanent civil service employee. In 1992 she worked as Staff Specialist in the International Health Program Office (IHPO) for less than a year when she returned to Personnel to work with Director of Personnel for a position with career ladder opportunities. In 1996 she was reassigned as a Personnel Management Specialist and performed in various capacities as a Human Resources professional.

In December of 2002 Ms. Burch was promoted as the Center Administrative Officer (AO) for the National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP) and served there until she was reassigned to the Coordinating Center of Infectious Disease (CCID) as the Lead AO. In 2006 Ms. Burch accepted a position in the Coordinating Office of Terrorism Preparedness & Emergency Response (COTPER). In 2007 she accepted a promotion for a position in the Financial Management Office (FMO) as the Human Capital Advisor.

During her career at CDC, Ms. Burch has participated as a key consultant in many major agency-wide initiatives. The highlight of her career was when she served as the Staffing Lead for the H1N1 initiative on a detail assignment in 2009. Because of her diverse experience in major Centers throughout CDC such as CCID, COTPER, FMO and AHRC, she was able to step up to the challenge and successful fill approximately150 term positions within 60 day which successfully aided in the prevention and control of the virus. Ms. Burch is regarded as a subject matter expert in the field of human capital management and has received numerous honors and awards in her more than 20 years of federal service.

Ms. Burch received her Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Leadership and Administration from Beulah Heights University, Atlanta, Georgia.