Minnesota: Risk Analyst, Center for Animal Health and Food Safety and University of Minnesota

Position Title
Risk Analyst

Job Code
9371

Requisition Number
156414

Appointment Term
A = 12 month

Appointment Type
Annual renewable contract (K )

Number of Openings
2

Total Hours or % Appointment
100

Full/Part-time
Full-Time

Starting Hourly Rate
DOQ, Range of $70,000 - 95,000

Campus Location
Other - See Job Description

Job Open Date
07-03-2008

Job Close Date
Open Until Filled


Required/Preferred Qualifications

Skills needed include:
Data gathering and documentation;
Quantitative and qualitative analysis skills;
Written communication;
Oral communication; and
Being able to work under tight timelines.
The knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to conduct risk assessments can be obtained in a number of disciplines.

Applicants should have advanced knowledge in one or more of these areas: animal agriculture, veterinary medicine, economics, epidemiology, statistics, mathematical modeling, policy analysis or operations research.


Mastery of epidemiology, disease ecology, economics, statistics or other related discipline is required to substantially contribute to the development of methods and models, and accomplishment of trade risk analyses and domestic regionalization strategies.

Professional knowledge of risk analysis methodology and principles is required to substantially contribute to the development of methods and models, and accomplishment of trade risk analyses and domestic regionalization strategies.

Extensive knowledge and expertise in the use of software for relational databases, spreadsheets, statistical and risk analysis modeling.

Skill in communicating effectively both in oral presentations and in writing for the purpose of: (1) conveying results, recommendations and options of analyses to decision makers, (2) presenting seminars and training sessions, (3) publishing articles in professional journals.

Well developed interpersonal skills required to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment.

Duties/Responsibilities

The incumbents(s) will work with Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Risk Analysis Team staff in preparing proactive risk assessments for use during Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreaks. These assessments are designed to expedite issuing movement permits during outbreaks and to simplify response planning and operations. General duties include:
*Collaborating with representatives of involved industries, other federal and state agencies, and other researchers in preparing proactive risk assessments;
*Developing plans for conducting these risk assessments;
*Carrying out and documenting the work;
*Writing up the results; and
* Presenting the results to APHIS staff and other interested parties.

Program/Unit Description

The Center for Animal Health and Food Safety (CAHFS) in association with the Centers for Epidemiology & Animal Health (CEAH), a division of United States Department of Agriculture's Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service is recruiting to fill two Analyst positions.

CAHFS and CEAH are collaborating to develop public-private partnerships to produce risk assessments for use during an emergency. These analyses are technically challenging and the methodologies are still in development. The results of the analysis must be scientifically defensible so that they can withstand questions and challenges and still be usable to decision-makers during an emergency. UDSA Veterinary Services has placed the responsibility for developing and applying these methodologies at CEAH in order to benefit from the multidisciplinary approach available through resident expertise in veterinary medicine epidemiology, economics, statistics, policy analysis, and computer technology. The person(s) occupying this position will provide the technical expertise in epidemiology disease ecology or a related discipline in the development and application of risk analysis methods and models to support emergency response planning and related activities. These assessments represent a major innovation in how APHIS prepares for outbreaks are a significant program within the agency.

These positions will be based in Fort Collins, CO.
Full benefits will be provided through the University of Minnesota, no relocation expenses will be provided for this position.

Application Instructions

Please apply online via the Employment System at
https://employment.umn.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=73836

Reference # 156414

Submit a letter of intent, current CV and list of three professional references.

Questions about this position can be directed to Dr. Tim Goldsmith
Email: gold0188@umn.edu