Senior Service Fellowship in Disability
Position and organization
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), Division of Analysis and Epidemiology (DAE), located in Hyattsville, Maryland, is seeking a Senior Service fellow in statistics and disability. NCHS is the nation’s principal health statistics agency, and its mission is to collect and compile accurate, relevant, and timely statistical information to guide actions and policies that improve the health of the American people. For more information about NCHS, see the NCHS website.
DAE is responsible for conducting developmental and evaluation research and analysis in the fields of epidemiology, health services research, health disparities, and health promotion. Within DAE, the Measures Research and Evaluation Branch (MREB) develops, compiles, analyzes, and interprets statistical data related to disability and functioning, injury, aging, and chronic disease. MREB staff are subject-matter experts engaging in activities that fall within two categories: 1) research and measures development and evaluation, and 2) consultation and collaboration at national and international levels in the identification of research projects, the design and analysis of data related to public health topics, and collection and dissemination of these data.
Fellowship 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 Senior Service fellow will work as a member of the MREB staff responsible for analyzing, disseminating, and presenting data on disability and functioning. Applicants should have advanced statistical and methodological skills for evaluating and analyzing complex data systems. Also required is disability-related subject-area expertise, reflected in a record of research publications in population functioning and disability, and experience measuring disability using national and international standards.
Under the supervision of the Branch Chief and Lead Statistician for MREB, the Senior Service fellow will have the following responsibilities:
- Serve as a senior analyst focusing on topics related to disability and functioning.
- Plan and develop research on critical issues associated with health data collection and health data systems development, as well as analytical studies.
- Lead or co-author scientific products including peer-reviewed manuscripts, presentations, technical reports, and internal briefings.
- Prepare and communicate evaluations and findings to various national and international audiences.
- Provide statistical guidance on appropriate methodologies for use with Center data, including data on disability and functioning.
- Plan and conduct projects considered to be of primary importance in developing new concepts for disability measurement in censuses and surveys.
- Synthesize and interpret the relevant literature and provide analytical reviews of current research and sources on disability data.
- Consult with epidemiologists, statisticians, and public health professionals concerning ongoing and established studies or other projects where extensive methodological support is required.
- Provide subject-matter, administrative, and technical assistance to the Secretariat of the Washington City Group on Disability Statistics.
Qualifications
- Applicants must have successfully completed a master’s or doctoral degree in statistics, epidemiology, or quantitative social sciences. All degrees and coursework must be from an accredited college or university. Applicants must have at least one year of training and experience related to statistics or survey methods.
- Experience in collecting, computing, and analyzing statistical data.
- Strong SAS, SPSS, Stata, or SUDAAN programming skills.
- Strong analytic and organizational skills, as well as attention to detail.
- Knowledge of estimation of variances, calculation of standard errors, and imputation.
- Knowledge of weighting of various sampling and data collection designs.
- Knowledge of quantitative methods of public health data analysis.
- Familiarity with survey research literature, methods, and processes.
- Strong organizational skills to document procedures and decisions.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, including experience publishing scientific manuscripts and communicating with relevant audiences, as well as strong interpersonal skills.
- Capability with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
- Demonstrated initiative and ability to work both autonomously and in a team environment.
Terms of appointment
The Senior Service fellow will be offered an initial 23-month full-time appointment, with potential for an extension up to five years. A starting date will be determined by mutual agreement. An initial salary range of $126,233–$164,102 will be offered based on education and experience. Salary increases will be commensurate with performance. Federal benefits such as annual and sick leave, Thrift Savings 401(k)-equivalent, and health and life insurance apply. A flexible work schedule, and remote or telework may be offered at the discretion of the supervisor. The fellow will have the option of free on-site parking or a public-transportation subsidy. The local metro station is within walking distance.
Application process
Review of applications will begin in March 2023 and continue until the position is filled. Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, their curriculum vitae, unofficial transcripts of all graduate and undergraduate credits, and two reference letters to Dr. Julie D. Weeks, Measures Research and Evaluation Branch Chief, at the mailing or e-mail address below. If selected, the applicant will be required to submit all of the following documents that have not already been sent: official transcripts in sealed and signed envelopes and hard copies of the two reference letters on official letterhead with original signatures. Inquiries or questions regarding this fellowship can be directed to Dr. Julie D. Weeks at jweeks@cdc.gov. Visit the NCHS Employment Opportunities website for more information about the Fellowship Program.
Mailing address
Julie D. Weeks, Ph.D.
Chief, Measures Research and Evaluation Branch
Division of Analysis and Epidemiology
National Center for Health Statistics
3311 Toledo Road, Room 4272
Hyattsville, Maryland 20782
jweeks@cdc.gov