Company Description

Job Description

The Division of Disease Control's mission is to safeguard the health of New Yorkers through identification, surveillance, treatment, control, and prevention of infectious diseases, which is achieved through varied and interrelated endeavors of its seven Bureaus. The Bureau of Communicable Disease (BCD) monitors and analyzes trends in disease data and provides consultation to the medical community and the public on the recognition, prevention, and control of communicable diseases. BCD is responsible for the surveillance, prevention, and control of over 70 infectious diseases including foodborne, enteric, waterborne, respiratory (including COVID-19), zoonotic, and vector-borne diseases.

Position Summary:
Reporting to the Director of Investigations and Response, the Senior Epidemiologist/Investigator will investigate cases, clusters and outbreaks of communicable diseases that require in-depth investigation and prompt public health action, including cases or outbreaks in schools, childcare facilities, and other congregate settings. They will also analyze and interpret investigation and surveillance data and disseminate results.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
-Investigate and manage cases, clusters and outbreaks of highly communicable diseases following written protocols.
-Identify and manages contacts of patients with highly communicable diseases.
-Respond to inquiries from the public and medical community and supports other staff members who also perform this function.
-Serve as a liaison between the Bureau of Communicable Diseases and other bureaus or agencies regarding prevention and management of disease outbreaks.
-Conduct or participate in research projects, health education campaigns and intervention programs regarding relevant communicable diseases or conditions.
-Assist in the development and review of disease response and investigation protocols, case investigation forms, questionnaires, and BCD's surveillance database.
-Assist with implementing quality assurance projects.
-Participate in DOH's preparedness and response activities as needed.

PREFERRED SKILLS:
-Strong understanding of the principles of communicable disease epidemiology and investigation.
-Ability to digest, apply, and critically appraise disease investigation and response plans and protocols and relevant medical literature.
-Excellent organizational and time management skills.
-Experience conducting medical chart review and interacting or working with healthcare providers.
-Strong interpersonal skills.
-Comfort with discussing sensitive topics including sexual activity and drug use.
-Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
-Experience with writing reports and official communications.

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:
oa premium-free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10K annually, per a 2024 assessment.
oadditional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position's associated union/benefit fund.
oa public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement.
oa tax-deferred savings program and
oa 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.

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Senior Epidemiologist/Investigator, Bureau of Communicable Diseases