Fellowship in the Division of Vital Statistics

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Position and organization

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), Division of Vital Statistics (DVS), Data Acquisition, Classification and Evaluation Branch (DACEB), located in Durham, North Carolina, is seeking a Fellow. As the nation’s principal health statistics agency, NCHS’ mission is to provide statistical information to guide actions and policies to improve the health of the American people.

DVS coordinates the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS), which provides the nation’s official vital statistics and is transforming to support near real-time public health surveillance. For more information, visit the NVSS homepage. DACEB conducts the acquisition and statistical quality assurance of NVSS data provided by state registrars.

Position overview

This fellowship is open to all citizens of the United States or legal permanent residents with a work authorization (applicants are responsible for obtaining the necessary work authorization). The Fellow will work as a member of the DACEB staff responsible for evaluating the completeness and quality of NVSS birth, death, and fetal death data.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the DACEB Statistical Team Lead, the Fellow will have the following responsibilities:

  • Review data and conduct analysis to continually improve the quality of jurisdictional data
  • Participate in strategic efforts to improve review tools or reports and processes
  • Provide feedback and technical assistance to jurisdictions
  • Participate in a project to develop and evaluate profiles of birthing facilities, characterizing the population served by various facilities
  • Develop and evaluate an indicator for birthing facilities that treat high-risk mothers and infants
    • Work with other DACEB team members to identify data sources to supplement NVSS data
    • Coordinate receipt of supplemental data from the jurisdictions
    • Create statistical programs to develop and evaluate measures
    • Document results and suggest applications of the new measures for data review

Qualifications

Applicants must have successfully completed at least a bachelor’s degree program and may have additionally completed a master’s degree or Ph.D. program. Applicants’ highest degree should be in demography, public health, epidemiology, health sciences, statistics, or a related field (for example, social science or public policy). Experience and coursework in demography and statistics is essential, as is experience conducting independent research. Strong analytical, statistical, and programming skills, preferably using SAS, are essential. Additionally, applicants must have the ability to work as a team player, orientation to detail, organizational skills, and the ability to juggle multiple priorities simultaneously. Speaking, writing, and interpersonal skills are also needed.

Terms of appointment

The successful candidate will be offered an initial 12-month appointment with the possibility of renewal. A starting date will be determined by mutual agreement. An initial full-time salary range of $37,592 – $74,048 will be offered, based on education and experience. A part-time schedule with prorated salary is also possible. Salary increases will be possible at renewal and commensurate with performance. Federal benefits do not apply, and the Fellow must provide their own health insurance. A flexible work schedule or telework may be offered at the discretion of the division. Free onsite parking is available.

Application process

Applications will be accepted through April 30, 2022. Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, their resume or curriculum vitae, unofficial transcripts of all graduate and undergraduate credits, and two reference letters to Dr. Jamie Lewis at jlewisowen@cdc.gov. If selected, the applicant will be required to submit official transcripts in sealed and signed envelopes to the mailing address below. Questions regarding this fellowship can be directed to Dr. Lewis (jlewisowen@cdc.gov or 919–541–0987).

Mailing address

Jamie Lewis, Ph.D.
Statistical Team Lead, Data Acquisition, Classification and Evaluation Branch
Division of Vital Statistics
National Center for Health Statistics
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
P.O. Box 12214
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709

**The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factors.**