Clinical Informatics Specialist

Job Summary:

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Office of Data Strategy is recruiting for a Clinical Informatics Specialist III’s to join an innovative team advancing CDPH’s enterprise data modernization efforts. The incumbent will apply advanced data engineering and informatics expertise within a cloud-native data environment (primarily Databricks, leveraging Apache Spark and Delta Lake for big-data processing and storage) to design, build, and maintain scalable data pipelines and enterprise data marts that support public health program operations, analytics, and strategic decision-making.

The incumbent will serve as a core member of a cross-functional team, collaborating closely with data scientists, analysts, informaticians, and public health program partners to deliver high-quality, well-governed, and interoperable data products.

Responsibilities will include:

• Designing, developing, testing, and maintaining scalable data pipelines and enterprise data marts in Databricks using SQL, Python, and PySpark.

• Supporting the development, implementation, and maintenance of enhanced public health surveillance and operational data systems.

• Creating standardized, reusable data models and curated datasets that serve multiple programmatic and analytical use cases.

• Improving interoperability and alignment across CDPH data systems and integrating solutions with local health jurisdictions (LHJs) and other partners.

• Ensuring efficient, secure, and automated ingestion, transformation, storage, and distribution of data from diverse surveillance and non-surveillance sources.

• Participating in complex data architecture, data modeling, and data quality assurance and improvement activities.

• Contributing to development and maintenance of tools, frameworks, and monitoring capabilities that support reliable, high-quality data pipelines.

• Innovating and prototyping new engineering approaches to meet evolving stakeholder needs and improve scalability, performance, and maintainability of CDPH data infrastructure.

• This position requires strong programming and data engineering skills (SQL, Python, and/or PySpark), experience with Databricks or similar cloud platforms, and applied informatics knowledge to support data modeling, dataset curation, data governance, and data quality processes. 

Department Summary:

UCSF Institute for Global Health Sciences (IGHS) is dedicated to improving health and reducing the burden of disease in the world’s most vulnerable populations. It integrates UCSF expertise in all of the health, social, and biological sciences, and focuses that expertise on pressing issues in global health. IGHS works with partners in countries throughout the world to achieve these aims. IGHS seeks to improve health worldwide, especially in developing countries, through research that informs policy. 

 IGHS is committed to ensuring a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment as we work towards becoming an anti-racist organization. We strongly encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds. Please see our statement on anti-racism here: https://globalhealthsciences.ucsf.edu/about-us/diversity-equity-and-inclusion/statement-structural-racism. 

The California Department of Public Health’s Office of Data Strategy (ODS) leads enterprise-wide data modernization efforts to advance public health outcomes statewide. ODS is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining scalable, secure, and interoperable data systems that support public health program operations, analytics, and strategic decision-making. ODS collaborates with internal CDPH programs, Local Health Jurisdictions (LHJs), and external partners to ensure efficient data integration, governance, and quality. The office fosters innovation in data engineering, analytics, and informatics, supporting initiatives such as enhanced surveillance, operational data systems, and public health response. ODS is committed to equity, transparency, and continuous improvement, empowering teams to deliver high-quality data products and actionable insights for California’s public health ecosystem.

Responsibilities

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Identify the functions or tasks that employees in the job perform. The essential functions should state the purpose of the work and the results to be accomplished, rather than how the function is performed. Of the tasks listed, what percentage of time is devoted to each? The more time employees spend on a function, the more likely it is that the function is essential. Generally, include those functions that account for 10% or more of the work, i.e., key items that contribute significantly to the achievement of the job.  The functions should add up to 100%.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in public health, health care information technology, computer science, or related area, and / or equivalent combination of experience / training PLUS either 3 years of experience in computer or data pipeline programming and database management, OR 3 years working in public health
• Strong skills associated with statistical analysis, database management and systems programming, including SQL, R, Python, and/or experience with Apache Spark language APIs (e.g. PySpark, sparklyr).
• Experience with Databricks, Delta Lake, or cloud-based data lake architectures.
• Broadly encompassing or in-depth knowledge of clinical, health systems, health analytics, or public health informatics.
• Thorough knowledge of all relevant clinical or public health informatics software and systems, and of the highly complex concepts, principles, policies, methodologies, techniques, best practices, regulations, and standards practices involved with health systems, health analytics, public health surveillance or electronic medical data management.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to quickly analyze problems, determine appropriate level of intervention, and develop and apply effective solutions, collect and analyze system performance data, and produce substantive reports and analyses
• Strong problem-resolution skills, with the ability to quickly diagnose problems, and develop, test, and implement appropriate and effective solutions in a timely manner 
• Ability to work with senior staff and managers in clinical information technology, health care management, and business analytics, serving as a technical resource and providing advice and counsel on issues of functionality, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, policy, and performance
• Experience using version control systems (e.g., Git) for collaborative development and code management.
• Strong ability to communicate complex information in a clear and concise manner both verbally and in writing.

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in computer science, informatics, public health, biostatistics, epidemiology or epidemiology and biostatistics and / or equivalent combination of experience / training PLUS either 1 year of experience in computer or data pipeline programming and database management, OR 1 year working in public health
• Detail oriented, with proven ability to effectively manage time, see projects through to completion, organize competing priorities, and effectively address complex, urgent issues as they arise
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate productively, work in a team environment, and to train and support clinical informatics users at all professional and technical levels throughout the medical center
• Strong ability to think creatively to recommend action steps or strategize solutions relative to public health surveillance, epidemiology, informatics, program evaluation, or research.
• Demonstrated proficiency relating to logical data design, data warehouse design, data integration, and data modeling.