Company Description

Job Description

With an annual budget of $2.3 billion and more than 7,000 employees throughout the five boroughs, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH) is one of the largest public health agencies in the world, serving 8 million New Yorkers from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds. We're tackling a broad range of public health issues with innovative policies and programs and getting exceptional results, but our work is never finished. The breadth of our innovative programs provides the widest range of choices for every member of our team.

The Division of Disease Control at the NYC Health Department is responsible for the identification, surveillance, treatment, control, and prevention of infectious diseases in NYC. The Surveillance Unit within the Bureau of Division Management and Systems Coordination (DMSC) coordinates with disease surveillance programs within the Division of Disease Control (DIS), the Division of Information Technology (DIT), and external partners to maintain, enhance, and implement surveillance system applications. These efforts support complete, timely, and equitable case detection and health information exchange while ensuring data confidentiality, data quality, and compliance toward regulatory standards.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
- Monitor, manage, and identify critical improvements for review by the Director of Surveillance to support the DIS needs for a portfolio of surveillance system applications including the Electronic Disease Reporting Infrastructure (EDRI), Provider Reporting Interface and Secure Messenger (PRISM), Electronic Clinical Laboratory Reporting System (ECLRS), Maven, syndromic surveillance, and electronic case reporting (eCR) and escalate emergent and ongoing surveillance needs to the Director of Surveillance
- Investigate, troubleshoot, and coordinate the resolution of surveillance system issues, working closely with ECLRS, eCR, DIT and DIS surveillance programs to ensure issues are resolved promptly
- Build and maintain collaborative partnerships with surveillance programs across DIS through monthly meetings to identify challenges, align priorities, and advocate for program needs for the Director of Surveillance in the development, maintenance, and enhancement of surveillance systems
- Conduct research to identify emerging surveillance methodologies, technologies, and best practices, and provide evidence based recommendations to the Director of Surveillance for potential integration into DIS surveillance systems.
- Perform research and analysis on surveillance data trends and system performance to proactively detect gaps, inform enhancements, and support strategic planning across DIS programs.
- Develop bi-weekly and monthly Surveillance Unit reports by collecting, synthesizing, and consolidating updates from the Surveillance Unit to provide the Director of Surveillance, Deputy Commissioner of DIS, and bureau Surveillance Leads with visibility into key updates and priorities
- Coordinate with DIS surveillance programs and the Director of Surveillance to:
o Ensure a consistent flow of high-quality surveillance data
o Assess data quality and troubleshoot issues
o Ensure accurate business requirements, timely implementation, and proper project planning
o Develop use and test cases as well as user acceptance testing
- Coordinate with DIT and DIS surveillance programs to implement new systems and enhance or replace existing systems relevant for infectious disease surveillance activities in coordination with the Director of Surveillance
- Develop and maintain provider communication regarding changes to surveillance system applications and reporting instructions, and disseminate in partnership with the Bureau of Communications
- Participate in the Data Alignment Task Force on behalf of the Director of Surveillance to develop and implement standards for collecting, analyzing, and reporting race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity data as scheduled
- Lead the implementation of the Surveillance Unit-priority Worker Connect API integration by coordinating with DIS surveillance programs and the Office of Technology and Innovation to establish data use agreements and enable secure data exchange solutions that strengthen public health surveillance
- Plan and design emergency preparedness and response dashboards for senior leadership by identifying, tracking, and managing surveillance data sources across the agency and coordinating with the Integrated Data Team for development and implementation
- Coordinate with DIS surveillance programs and partner divisions to gather requirements, incorporate programmatic needs, and support the development of a centralized repository for hospital contact information to facilitate timely communication with healthcare provider
- Coordinate with Surveillance Unit teams to strategically identify, prioritize, document, and refine operational processes to improve operational consistency and knowledge sharing in alignment with Director of Surveillance priorities
- Other duties as assigned including, but not limited to, assisting with public health emergency responses.

Preferred Skills:
- Experience conducting data quality assurance, preparing reports, troubleshooting data issues, and providing feedback
- Proficiency in navigating computer systems
- Demonstrated proficiency in REDCap, including instrument development, data management, access control, reporting, and troubleshooting, preferred
- Ability to work well within a diverse team and foster relationships with colleagues and partners
- Highly organized, and able to manage multiple simultaneous projects with competing priorities
- Experience with stakeholder engagement and project management.
- Excellent communication (verbal & written) and interpersonal skills.
- Strong analytical skills and ability to manage and report complex information.
- Experience with data collection, analysis and interpretation.
- Desire to grow professionally, develop new skills and willingness to work outside of comfort zone.
- Experience working with the public health sector and coordinating projects involving multiple stakeholders.
- Ability to prioritize and work in fast-paced environment with hard deadlines.
- Fluency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

Why you should work for us:

- Loan Forgiveness: As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal/state loan forgiveness and repayment assistance programs that lessen your payments or even fully forgive your full balance. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website (https://studentaid.gov/pslf/)
- Benefits: City employees are entitled to unmatched benefits such as:
o a premium-free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10K annually, per a 2024 assessment.
o additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position’s associated union/benefit fund.
o a public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement.
o a tax-deferred savings program and
o a robust Worksite Wellness Program that offers resources and opportunities to keep you healthy while serving New Yorkers.
- Work From Home Policy: Depending on your position, you may be able to work up to two days during the week from home.
- Job Security - you could enjoy more job security compared to private sector employment and be able to contribute to making NYC a healthy place to live and work.

Established in 1805, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department) is the oldest and largest health department in the U.S., dedicated to protecting and improving the health of NYC. Our mission is to safeguard the health of every resident and cultivate a city where everyone, regardless of age, background, or location, can achieve their optimal health. We provide a wide array of programs and services focused on food and nutrition, anti-tobacco support, chronic disease prevention, HIV/AIDS treatment, family and child health, environmental health, mental health, and social justice initiatives. As the primary population health strategist and policy authority for NYC, with a rich history of public health initiatives and scientific advancements, from addressing the 1822 yellow fever outbreak to the COVID-19 pandemic, we serve as a global leader in public health innovation and expertise.

Come join us and help to continue our efforts in making a difference in the lives of all New Yorkers!

Commitment to Equity:

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

The NYC Health Department is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation to all individuals. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact Sye-Eun Ahn, Director of the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, at sahn1@health.nyc.gov or 347-396-6549.

CITY RESEARCH SCIENTIST - 21744

Qualifications

1. For Assignment Level I (only physical, biological and environmental sciences and public health) A master's degree from an accredited college or university with a specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological or environmental science or in public health.
To be appointed to Assignment Level II and above, candidates must have:
1. A doctorate degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological, environmental or social science and one year of full-time experience in a responsible supervisory, administrative or research capacity in the appropriate field of specialization; or
2. A master's degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological, environmental or social science and three years of responsible full-time research experience in the appropriate field of specialization; or
3. Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must have at least a master's degree in an appropriate field of specialization and at least two years of experience described in "2" above. Two years as a City Research Scientist Level I can be substituted for the experience required in "1" and "2" above.

NOTE:
Probationary Period
Appointments to this position are subject to a minimum probationary period of one year.

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.