Division/Program Summary Description:

The Bureau of Communicable Disease (BCD), part of the Division of Disease Control, 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. Within BCD, The Antimicrobial Resistance Unit (ARU) is comprised of four teams: Data and Surveillance, Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), Antimicrobial Stewardship, and One Health.

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Infection Prevention and Control Team Lead, you will coordinate testing strategies for Candida auris (an emerging fungal infection) and COVID-19 in long-term care facilities and complete case investigations for drug-resistant infections.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:
- Support testing and vaccine coordination for COVID-19 in long-term care facilities or other congregate settings as needed depending on facility demand or outbreaks
- Support the implementation screening protocols for Candida auris (an emerging, drug-resistant fungal infection) in long-term care facilities
- Complete case investigations for high-priority antimicrobial resistant infections identified in New York City
- Support coordination of case assignment of antimicrobial resistant infections
- Liaise with public and private laboratories to facilitate the transfer of isolates and/or specimens and the sharing of reports.
- As needed, support basic data cleaning such as reviewing laboratory data and transferring results between data systems using structured protocols
- Help develop research and surveillance reports on fungal disease pathogens in New York City
- Serve as an author or co-author on peer-reviewed research manuscripts that examine fungal disease burden in New York City
- Provide general support to BCD, including participation in the Research Scientist of the Week rotation and other shared duties.
- Participate in the Incident Command System’s Surveillance and Epidemiology branch to support emergency response activities as needed.

PREFERRED SKILLS:
Experience and training in public health case investigation
Ability to interact with external partners, particularly long-term care facilities
Proficiency in computer systems, with the ability to learn new data systems quickly and comply with data integrity and security protocols
Exceptional organizational skills

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.

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.

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.