Program and Job Description:

The Public Health Laboratory (PHL) seeks one qualified candidate to serve as a supervisor in the Environmental Sciences section. The position will play integral roles in laboratory testing and responding to public health threats, including but not limited to COVID-19, vaccine preventable diseases, HIV, Legionella as well as respiratory, foodborne, and vector-borne disease outbreaks.

The position will be assigned to the Wastewater Surveillance Unit and Whole Genome Sequencing Unit in the Environmental Sciences Section at PHL.

This position will primarily be responsible for performing and overseeing testing of NYC wastewater as part of local and national wastewater surveillance programs.

This is an excellent opportunity to join our multidisciplinary team, and collaborate with local, state, federal, and academic partners.

We strongly encourage people to apply and contribute your diversity in thought, racial identity, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability status, veteran status, and/or LGBTQI+ status to enhance the work of the DOHMH and promote the health of all New Yorkers. We welcome applicants who share the vision for a city where all New Yorkers can realize their full health potential, regardless of who they are, where they are from or where they live. DOHMH extends this vision of wellness by providing every member of our team and prospective job applicants dynamic benefits: Benefits - NYC Health, and a robust Worksite Wellness program with a wide range of offerings.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:

Supervising, training, assigning work, and evaluating the performance of staff. Able to shift priorities in response to rapidly evolving work environment.

Performing high and moderate complexity laboratory testing and procedures on clinical and environmental specimens submitted to the PHL. Assisting in the coordination of agency, local and federal partners in investigations.

Performing research to identify and implement new technologies.

Communicating effectively with Unit chief, lab technologists, and internal and external partners.

Evaluating data, preparing reports, maintaining records, and assisting in the coordination of research efforts of the Agency.

Maintaining and participating in a program of quality control and assurance; and advising staff on appropriate methods and techniques; and taking corrective actions when needed.

Implementing and monitoring laboratory quality, and health and safety policies and procedures.

Performing or overseeing the design and maintenance of charts, logs, and other records.

Assisting with inventory, budgeting, and procurement to ensure that laboratory is properly stocked with reagents and supplies necessary for testing; and ensure that items are properly tracked using inventory management system.

Writing original manuscripts for publication based on data analysis.

Assisting the Unit Chief and/or Director with routine laboratory activities and operations.

Preferred Skills:

Experience performing whole genome sequencing using next-generation sequencing technology.

Experience working with pathogenic organisms in a BSL2 environment.

Basic microbiology and molecular biology techniques including automated nucleic acid extraction and real-time and digital PCR.

Ability to interpret complex laboratory data and communicate that data to internal and external partners using independent judgement and initiative.

Supervisory experience in an environmental or clinical diagnostic testing laboratory.

Some experience with laboratory quality and safety.

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.