Data Modernization Initiative Officer

PHMC serves as both a direct service provider to individuals, families, and communities across the region and as an intermediary agent — managing large-scale contracts, government and philanthropic partnerships, and multidisciplinary initiatives that require operational sophistication, strategic leadership, and deep mission alignment.

Job Description:

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH), Division of Disease Control (DDC), oversees the operation, modernization, and governance of the City’s reportable disease surveillance systems and other critical public health data assets. These systems enable PDPH to prepare for public health emergencies, monitor and investigate reportable diseases and conditions, respond to outbreaks, and communicate key health information to the public. DDC systems support major program areas including Acute Communicable Diseases, Epidemiology and Informatics, Healthcare–Associated Infections, Immunizations, Public Health Preparedness, STD Control and Health Center 1, TB Control and Clinic, and Viral Hepatitis.

The DDC Data Modernization Initiative (DMI) Officer serves as the Division’s leader responsible for driving a comprehensive data modernization strategy, safeguarding the integrity and security of DDC data systems, and supporting epidemiology, informatics, and systems operations within the Division. This role sets the vision for modern public health data infrastructure and provides high-level leadership across multidisciplinary teams. Core responsibilities include:

1. Ensuring the security, accuracy, and reliability of all data entering or maintained within DDC systems.
2. Supporting the Division’s chief data steward, with authority over data governance, responsible use, and accurate representation of DDC data.
3. Liaising between the Epidemiology Unit, Health Commissioner’s Office, Public Health Lab, and Health Information Technology to meet DDC DMI objectives.
4. Leading the Division’s data modernization initiatives to strengthen data systems, interoperability, workflows, and technological capacity across program areas.

The DDC DMI Officer collaborates closely with the Health Commissioner’s Office, the Department’s Health Information Technology Division, the City’s Office of Innovation and Technology (OIT), the Law Department, and other PDPH divisions to advance Division-wide and Department-wide data modernization priorities. The role ensures that teams are well-supported, processes are efficient, and performance is continuously improved through strong leadership and strategic resource management.

Responsibilities:

• Lead DDC’s data modernization strategy and implement improvements to public health data flow, quality, and system infrastructure.
• Guide the development and optimization of workflows, including EHR onboarding and process improvement across DDC program areas.
• Work with the DDC teams to create reports on a variety of public health areas, including vaccination rates, disease prevalence, and disease outbreak and emergency response metrics.
• Work with all teams to develop process improvements for workflows and outcomes, and to develop metrics for assessment of work.
• Identify and ensure that the DMI needs of all teams are met in coordination with Division leadership.
• Review and approve all products using DDC data—including abstracts, reports, presentations, and publications—before the Health Commissioner’s Office Review Committee submission.
• Partner with the Law Department and other stakeholders to manage and review contracts, data use agreements, and other legal documents.
• Provide quarterly metrics, performance updates, and strategic data insights to DDC leadership and Department executives.
• Oversee procurement, subscriptions, and vendor relationships related to data systems and software.
• Serve as a senior troubleshooting point person for IT and system-related challenges within the Division.
• Develop and oversee SOPs, documentation, and reporting for DDC and PDPH modernization efforts.
• Identify and pursue grant opportunities to support data modernization, system development, and innovation.
• Support public health emergency responses.

Required Skills:

• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
• Ability to communicate about complex topics.
• Ability to conduct process improvement reviews.
• Ability to design and implement standards and assessment metrics.
• Ability to understand and manage complex databases.
• Ability to navigate complex data logistics.
• Ability to foster and manage staff talent.

Experience:

• 6+ years of experience in a public health or related field.
• 5 years of management experience with proven ability to supervise managers and large teams.
• 5 years of public health data systems experience preferred.
• 3 years of HL7 experience preferred.
• Experience with SQL.
• Experience with SAS/R.
• Experience reviewing, negotiating, and managing data use agreements and vendor contracts.
• Experience with data visualization software preferred.
• Knowledge of reportable diseases and immunizations.
• Understanding of interoperability standards.

Education Requirement:

Master’s degree in public health, epidemiology, or health informatics

Required Qualifications:

• Ability or willingness to learn to code in SQL
• Ability to code in SAS/R
• Must be available to work occasional weekends or after hours required
• Must be able to lift 25lbs

Desired Qualifications:

• Familiarity with data visualization software
• Knowledge of ONC and CDC Standards
• Experience with interoperability
• Experience with grants and budgeting
• Experience with health IT
• Familiarity with the ACIP-recommended immunization schedules
• Familiarity with IT systems and hardware

Salary:  $110-115,000

PHMC is an Equal Opportunity and E-Verify employer.

#LI-DNI

Qualifications Skills Preferred Operations Analysis Advanced Effective Communication Expert Verbal Communication Expert Education Required Master of Public Health or better. Experience Required Experience reviewing, negotiating, and managing data use agreements and vendor contracts. Experience with SQL and SAS/R. 5 years of management experience with proven ability to supervise managers and large teams 6+ years of experience in a public health or related field. Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
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