Division/Program Summary Description:

The NYC Public Health Laboratory (PHL) is one of the largest local public health laboratories in the United States offering a dynamic and innovative work environment where employees contribute to the health and safety of NYC residents by providing clinical and environmental laboratory testing services. With more than 100 years of leadership in public health, a team of over 200 scientific and support staff are committed to its mission to safeguard the health of all NYC residents by providing quality laboratory testing services that support the priorities of the NYC DOHMH and its community partners to prevent and respond to clinical and environmental public health concerns. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH) Public Health Laboratory (PHL) is seeking to hire a qualified Special projects and validations coordinator, to conduct public health related research and testing.

The mission of the Public Health Laboratory is to safeguard the health of all New York City residents by providing quality laboratory testing services that address the needs of the NYC DOHMH and its community partners to prevent and respond to clinical and environmental public health concerns. As laboratory technologies and innovations evolve, this position is critical for the Microbiology Section at PHL to stay up-to-date with today's best lab practices and regulatory requirements for infectious disease diagnostics. This position is dedicated to research and will validate new diagnostic assays for the detection and characterization of emerging pathogens as well as implementing streamlined new technologies for faster turnaround times. This is an excellent opportunity to join our team and continue to make history at the world's first municipal public health laboratory.

Position Summary:

As laboratory technologies and innovations evolve, this position is critical for the Microbiology Section at PHL to stay up-to-date with today's best lab practices and regulatory requirements for infectious disease diagnostics. This position is dedicated to research and will validate new diagnostic assays for the detection and characterization of emerging pathogens as well as implementing streamlined new technologies for faster turnaround times.


DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:

- Assisting in designing efficacy studies, conducting and organizing microbiological measurements, using automated systems and tools to support analysis and preparing internal research study reports for submission to research study team.

- Demonstrating excellent data management, organizational and communicational skills and acquire the ability to present and interpret data to multidisciplinary teams.

- Applying the principles and techniques of microbiology to potential laboratory innovations and methodologies.

- Ensuring Laboratory compliance with regulatory agencies to preserve the integrity of data testing, maintain Laboratory accreditation and support the overarching public health goals, missions and objectives of NYCDOHMH.

- In accordance with Public Health investigations, ensures full Laboratory participation in the submission of requested specimen samples and scientific data, when essential to protect the public's - health.

- Perform disease outbreak analysis as part of the NYC emergency public health staff to respond to outbreaks (Including 2009 H1N1 Flu, measles/mumps, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, and Ebola).

Preferred Skills:
- Excellent writing and communication skills.
- Data analysis 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.

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.