We are recruiting for a mission-driven Lead, State Surveillance & Other Program to join our team!
We're with you for life’s journey. At Denver Health, purpose isn’t just something we believe in—it’s something we live every day, for life’s journey.
Our Values
Respect | Belonging | Accountability | Transparency
Department
RMPDS Consulting
Job SummaryThe State Surveillance & Research Program Lead serves as the primary programmatic point of contact for RMPDS state agency partners — principally state epidemiologists, public health analysts, and program administrators who rely on RMPDS surveillance data to inform policy, monitor substance use trends, and fulfill reporting obligations. This role bridges deep internal data expertise with responsive, relationship-driven client engagement, ensuring state partners derive maximum scientific value from RMPDS programs including RADARS, psychedelics surveillance, and other emerging initiatives.
Beyond external relationship management, this position carries meaningful internal responsibilities including project management of state program deliverables, support of state and federal grant applications, and contribution to scientific manuscripts and dissemination efforts. The ideal candidate operates credibly as a scientific peer to state epidemiologists, manages a multi-state portfolio with rigor, and contributes substantively to the scientific output of the department.
Essential Functions:
- Serve as the primary point of contact for an assigned portfolio of state agency partners, including state health departments and epidemiologists enrolled in RMPDS surveillance programs. (30%)
- Lead end-to-end project management for state surveillance deliverables — scoping timelines, coordinating cross-functional contributors, and ensuring quality review prior to delivery. (25%)
- Guide state partners in the appropriate use and interpretation of RMPDS surveillance data, and collaborate with internal analysts to develop custom reports and data summaries in response to state-specific requests. (10%)
- Support deliverable generation processes for other client and stakeholder initiatives including analysis, report development, and quality review. (15%)
- Serve as co-author and active contributor on peer-reviewed manuscripts, research letters, and conference abstracts arising from state surveillance data and other programs. (10%)
- Contribute to grant applications targeting state surveillance program funding, including NIH, SAMHSA, and CDC mechanisms — providing state program data, partner context, and scientific narrative. (5%)
- Represent RMPDS at state-level meetings, public health conferences, and working groups relevant to drug surveillance, poison control reporting, and emerging substance monitoring. (5%)
Education:
- Master's Degree Master’s degree in Public Health (MPH), Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Health Sciences, or a closely related field Required
Work Experience:
- 4-6 years Experience in public health surveillance, epidemiology, health data programs, or a related field — including direct work with or within state or local health agencies Required and
- 1-3 years Experience with drug surveillance systems (PDMP, RADARS, NPDS, SAMHSA, or similar) Required
Licenses:
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Demonstrated ability to work peer-to-peer with epidemiologists and public health scientists in government settings
- Strong scientific communication skills: ability to convey complex surveillance data concepts clearly to diverse audiences, including technical and policy-focused stakeholders
- Demonstrated project management experience with accountability for deliverable timelines and quality, ideally in a scientific or public health context
- Experience managing multiple external relationships or client accounts simultaneously
- Experience contributing to scientific writing, including reports, manuscripts, or grant applications
Shift
Work Type
Regular
Salary
$79,600.00 - $118,000.00 / yr
Benefits
At Denver Health, we take care of the people who take care of our community. Our benefits are built to support your life, your family, and your future — with generous paid time off, fully paid parental leave, exceptional retirement contributions, comprehensive health coverage, and nationally recognized well-being programs. We invest in your growth through tuition assistance, career advancement pathways, and professional development — while also offering meaningful financial advantages through loan forgiveness eligibility and employer contributions. When you join Denver Health, you’re joining a mission-driven organization that invests in you.
Here is a small list of our benefit programs:
Paid time off starting at 28 days per year, inclusive of vacation, personal/sick, and 7 Holidays
100% paid parental leave up to 6 weeks
Immediate eligibility for retirement plans with employer contribution up to 9.5%
Generous medical, dental, vision plans in addition to employer paid disability and life insurance.
Comprehensive well-being programs including on-site employee fitness center located on Denver Health main campus and nationally recognized RESTORE Center
Free RTD EcoPass (public transportation)
Childcare discount programs & exclusive perks on large brands, travel, and more
Tuition reimbursement & assistance
Education, coaching, and professional development opportunities through the Workforce Development Center (WFDC) that support internal career growth and advancement pathways
Professional clinical advancement program & shared governance
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer+ free student loan coaching and assistance navigating the PSLF program
National Health Service Corps (NHCS) and Colorado Health Service Corps (CHSC) eligible employer
About Denver Health
Denver Health is an integrated, high-quality academic health care system considered a model for the nation that includes a Level I Trauma Center, a 555-bed acute care medical center, Denver’s 911 emergency medical response system, 10 family health centers, 19 school-based health centers, Rocky Mountain Poison & Drug Safety, the Public Health Institute at Denver Health, Denver Health Medical Plan and Denver Health Foundation.
As Colorado’s primary, and essential, safety-net health care system, Denver Health is a mission-driven organization that has provided millions in uncompensated care for the uninsured each year.
Located near downtown Denver, Denver Health is just minutes away from many of the cultural and recreational activities Denver has to offer.
Denver Health is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We value the unique ideas, talents and contributions reflective of the needs of our community. All job applicants for safety-sensitive positions must pass a pre-employment drug test, once a conditional offer of employment has been made. Applicants will be considered until the position is filled.
