Data Application Specialist

Position Summary:

The Data Application Specialist works as a member of the HealthIT team under the Sr. Data Engineer to support the DPH goals of enhancing department research and public services and facilitating the establishment and maintenance of department-wide data governance. This position is responsible for executing on project plans, and maintaining existing data-related solutions for department and divisional needs and services. This is multi-faceted position with responsibility within multiple database types, data integration, ETL, and application knowledge.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Participation in development and maintenance of departmental and divisional data and governance programs.
• Database maintenance, optimization, and administration, as needed, to support DPH initiatives.
• Working closely with DPH, HealthIT, and OIT colleagues to choose and create appropriate solutions, using existing City and department resources whenever possible.
• Creation of scripts, queries, stored procedures, and use of data APIs and Web services to integrate disparate data sources, create reports, and ensure data integrity.
• Suggest tools for use within DPH for working with, reporting on, visualizing, and managing data.
• Creation and maintenance of data visualizations, as directed.
• Application administration of and high-level support for DPH data management and visualization tools.
• Maintaining awareness of emerging technologies in related areas including awareness of visualization tools, new databases and data formats, integration techniques, and common scripting languages.
• Observing DPH needs and proactively recommending to Sr. Data Engineer or IT Director, demonstrating, and implementing techniques, tools, and solutions.
• Ensuring data security as per the appropriate standard, including HIPAA/HITECH, PA Act 59, industry standards, and the ethical standards of both IT and Public Health professions.
• Working with vendors and contractors to ensure DPH receives appropriately built, maintainable, integration-friendly solutions.
• Operate as a member of the HealthIT team, including participation in team meetings, projects, and initiatives, and regularly use team communication tools.
• Create and maintain documentation on data-related solutions as implemented or used by DPH.

Skills Required: 

• Demonstrated ability to learn and apply new languages, tools, techniques and technologies.
• Fundamental understanding of databases, data structures,
• Familiarity with SQL and SQL variations
• Ability to script fluently in at least one common scripting language such as Python, Perl, or Ruby
• Familiarity with data and database security; general knowledge of application controls and security
• One or more of the following (more a plus):
• Knowledge of data visualization tools such as GIS (ArcGIS, QGIS, etc.), BI and dashboarding (Tableau), and emerging/open source tools.
• Knowledge of data analysis tools such as R, SAS, etc.
• Knowledge of HL-7
• Understanding of data APIs and Web services
• Demonstrated ability to integrate data and/or automate extract-transform-load (ETL) procedures
• Demonstrated ability to produce human-readable data reports
• Ability to learn quickly and become comfortable with unfamiliar software and hardware environments
• Ability to work, learn and research independently
• Ability to work as a team member, and to proactively help to improve the skills of team members through knowledge sharing and demonstration
• Work within established policies and procedures, and also exhibit good judgement
• Ability to translate between the technical and the non-technical, including explaining technical issues to less technical personnel, and framing technical solutions in a business context
• Ability to respectfully work through challenging situations with clients and colleagues
• Dedication to respecting others and treating others equally regardless of differences of any kind
• Basic customer service skills.
• Ability to manage time and tasks in a complex environment with multiple priorities
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Organizational and operational adaptability
• Presentation and proposal writing skills

Education and Experience:

• Minimum of 3-5 years in data management, engineering, integration and/or visualization
• Certification or coursework in relevant technologies or topics a plus
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or equivalent work experience in a relevant position
• Significant course work in Computer Science, information science, MIS, data analysis, software engineering, or a related field a plus
• A masters’ degree or advanced coursework in a related field a plus
• Demonstrated experience in data management, integration, reporting, and visualization, preferably in a healthcare or public health environment; government experience a plus
• Any combination of experience and education deemed equivalent and sufficient by hiring manger and human resources

Equal Opportunity Employment:

PMHCC, Inc. is committed to equal opportunity. It is our policy to support equal employment for all employees and applicants without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual preferences, age, national origin, disability, behavioral health status, military status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Americans with Disabilities Act:

Employees as well as applicants who are currently, or become disabled, must be able to perform the functions of the job with either reasonable accommodation or unaided. PMHCC, Inc. will examine reasonable accommodations on a case by case basis in accordance with the law.