ONLY PERMANENT EMPLOYEES IN THE TITLE AND THOSE THAT ARE REACHABLE ON THE CIVIL SERVICE LIST OF PUBLIC HEALTH ASSISTANT – EXAM NO. 9086 ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY.

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Division of Environmental Health works to prevent and control illness and injury related to environmental and occupational health risks through outreach, education, surveillance and enforcement. With staff of 1,000, the Division covers a broad range of subject matter, including oversight of environmental investigations, lead poisoning, injury prevention, occupational health, food safety, child care, radiation control, recreational and drinking water quality, air quality, climate health, vector control, veterinary public health and pest control. The Division of Environmental Health seeks a Public Health Assistant for its Bureau of Veterinary and Pest Control Services.

Duties will include but not limited to:
Serve as community liaison for the prevention of rabies and the benefits of licensing your pets.

Provide counseling to someone who has been bitten by a dog and what to do if they suspect possible exposure to rabies.

Organize and provide training on the safe handling of animals by children and adults.
Coordinate, track and triage animal bites reported by hospitals emergency rooms and private medical practices. Maintain a database of such incidents.

Provide advice, services and information on how to manage aggressive animals.

Provide written response to public inquires on rodent activity, illegal pets menacing animals, stray animals, reported complaints and conditions that may lead to nuisances and/or pest infestations.
Take calls from the public on issues with requirements for rabies vaccination and pet confinement for pets that have bitten or were bit by another animal.

Advise community groups and residents on how to rid their homes of nuisance raccoons or rodent infestations and how to keep them from returning. How to safely remove mice and/rats from glue traps and/or snap traps.

Liaise with pet owners on how to apply for a dog license in New York City.
Maintain files, databases and of dogs and cats that are licensed. Identify classifications, such as breed, age, color, markings, spayed/neutered and current with rabies vaccinations.

Advise communities and individual pet owners of the responsibility to spayed and neuter their pets to keep them healthy and prevent unwanted strays.

1. A four year high school diploma or its educational equivalent approved by a State’s Department of Education or a recognized accrediting organization; or

2. Completion of the eleventh grade of high school, and one year of full-time satisfactory experience performing health-related or clerical duties; or

3. Education and/or experience that is equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must have completed the eleventh grade of high school.

Excellent written and oral communications skills experience using database systems. Be Flexible, adaptable, customer-focused, and goal-oriented with a commitment to high standards of excellence.

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

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.