This position will be within the Health Department's innovative Center for Population Health Data Science (CPHDS). The CPHDS is working to strengthen citywide population health surveillance by better linking public health, healthcare, and social service data to fully characterize and improve the health of New Yorkers. Our vision is for these data to be accessible, timely, equitable, meaningfully usable, and protected, and being used actively to protect and promote health and wellbeing of New Yorkers. Housed in the Center for Population Health Data Science, the Bureau of Vital Statistics (BVS) at the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene registers, amends, processes, and analyzes all vital events (births, deaths, and spontaneous and induced terminations of pregnancy) in New York City while also issuing certified copies of certificates to the public.

There are approximately 120,000 births and 52,000 deaths and about 1 million certified copies of birth and death certificates issued each year. Vital event data are used by most health department programs (including infectious and chronic diseases, community health, environmental/occupational health, and health care access) and reported to national agencies. Position Summary: The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Center for Population Health Data Science is seeking a Special Assistant reporting directly to the Chief Epidemiologist, Deputy Director of the Center, and Assistant Commissioner of the Bureau of Vital Statistics. They will support the day-to-day operations of the Bureau of Vital Statistics and the development of the Center for Population Health Data Science. Specifically, they will provide administrative support by preparing for upcoming department meetings, taking record of discussions and operational decisions, and performing research analysis as requested by the Chief Epidemiologist. They will coordinate with staff on follow-up tasks as well as compile information from unit directors for agency and Citywide reports.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
Under supervision, Assist in researching & Analyzing.
Assist in conducting research and analysis to support research questions, policy positions and new initiatives, including literature reviews, and evaluation of topic-specific programmatic approaches and interventions in the area of public health.
Assist in conducting background research and prepare proposals for new programs.
Develop presentations, talking points or one-pagers, write letters, design and produce routine and special reports as well as other materials.
Assist in preparing manuscripts and other scientific documents for publication.
Maintain an up-to-date knowledge base on critical issues in public health and social determinants of health related to vital statistics, including research, policy, and programmatic interventions.
Project Management and Support:
Provide support in planning for upcoming meetings by preparing the agenda and necessary supporting materials.
Attend meetings with the Chief Epidemiologist to provide a record of the discussion, decisions made, next steps and follow-up items.
Distribute follow-up items to Bureau and Division staff or others as needed
Serve as liaison between the Chief Epidemiologist and the Bureau's programs/units to assist with troubleshoot and provide advice on programmatic matters.
Coordinate with staff to ensure timely completion of follow-up items and compiling information from programs/units for agency and City reports.
Monitor and track tasks, deliverables, and deadlines for the Chief Epidemiologist.
Initiate special projects as requested by the Chief Epidemiologist.
Strategic Planning
Support the Chief Epidemiologist in planning and implementing annual goals and bureau-wide projects touching upon the scientific, operational, legal, and technological aspects of registering births, deaths, and terminations of pregnancy in NYC.
Maintain and improve upon organizational systems to manage information flow within the central office of the Center for Population Health Data Science.
Emergency Planning & Response
Support maintaining, or rapidly standing up, response activities across all types of possible incidents, including storms, pandemics, and other emergencies. This position fulfills a key Continuity of Operations role and is critical to the Health Department's fulfillment of its mission.

PREFERRED SKILLS:
Excellent organizational and analytical skills.
Detail-oriented.
Excellent interpersonal, research, written and verbal communication skills
Computer skills including Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint.
Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced, high demand office.
Experience working collaboratively with large agencies

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!


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.