Job Description

The Bureau of Communicable Diseases is responsible for investigating and responding to cases, clusters, and outbreaks of over 70 infectious diseases or conditions in New York City.

With commitment to advance anti-racist public health practices that dismantle systems that perpetuate inequitable power, opportunity and access, the NYC Health Department continues to work in and with communities and community organizations to increase their access to health services and decrease avoidable health outcomes.

You will supervise staff who conduct surveillance and epidemiologic case and outbreak investigations.

Your staff will conduct patient/provider interviews, contact tracing and electronic health records abstractions throughout the five boroughs.

You will provide patient and public education. 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.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:

• Supervise a team of staff who conduct disease surveillance, epidemiologic investigation, and intervention activities for reportable infectious diseases and outbreaks.

• Perform as needed and supervise staff who conduct case investigations.

• Perform medical chart reviews and abstractions.

• Conduct patient and provider telephone interviews.

• Triage incoming telephone inquiries.

• Provide patient and public education.

  • Identify and follow up with contacts of people with communicable diseases.

• Provide public health recommendations to patients and contacts - Conduct outbreak investigations.

• Perform data collection and analysis.

• Evaluate risk factors or high-risk transmission setting.

• Assist with communicable disease prevention initiatives.

• Participate in the DOHMH's Surveillance and Epidemiology Emergency Response Section's preparedness and response activities in the Surveillance & Investigations Unit.

Preferred Skills:

Experience supervising staff who conduct case investigations

• Knowledge of communicable disease surveillance and epidemiologic investigations,

• Experience with structured interviews, medical terminology, and conducting electronic medical chart reviews

• Comfortable discussing sensitive topics including sexual activity and drug use

• Experience working with healthcare providers

• Strong organizational and time management skills

• Proficient with word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software.

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.

Qualifications

1. A master’s degree in public health or epidemiology from an accredited college or university with a minimum of 12 graduate credits in epidemiology; or

2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university plus two years of full-time paid experience as a health professional in a position which requires data collection and the reading and interpretation of medical charts and medical information in support of surveillance and epidemiologic investigations.

Additional Information

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.