Congregate Residential Settings Investigator, Bureau of Communicable Diseases

Public Health Epidemiologist II-51181 Open to candidates who are permanent or for those who recently filed for PUBLIC HEALTH EPIDEMIOLOGIST Exam No. 5140 within the filing period From: November 6, 2024 To: November 26, 2024

The Division of Disease Control's mission is to safeguard the health of New Yorkers through identification, surveillance, treatment, control, and prevention of infectious diseases, which is achieved through varied and interrelated endeavors of its seven Bureaus. The Bureau of Communicable Disease (BCD) monitors and analyzes trends in disease data and provides consultation to the medical community and the public on the recognition, prevention, and control of communicable diseases. BCD is responsible for the surveillance, prevention, and control of over 70 infectious diseases including foodborne, enteric, waterborne, respiratory (including COVID-19), zoonotic, and vector-borne diseases.

The Congregate Residential Settings Investigator will work in BCD 's Congregate Settings Investigations and Response Unit, which investigates and responds to communicable disease cases and outbreaks in congregate residential settings (adult care facilities, group homes, homeless shelters, supportive housing, etc.). The unit works closely with various partners across the Health Department and other city and state agencies to respond to infectious disease issues promptly and effectively.

Duties Will Include But Not Be Limited To

• Conduct communicable disease investigation and surveillance activities with a focus on congregate residential settings. Respond to cases and outbreaks and provide infection prevention and control expertise to facilities.
• Conduct case investigations, including patient and provider interviews and medical chart abstractions, and contact tracing and management. Provide technical assistance regarding infection control to congregate setting staff; conduct site visits when indicated.
• Provide general support to BCD, including participation in the Research Scientist of the Week rotation and other shared duties.
• Participate in the Incident Command System Surveillance and Epidemiology branch to support emergency response activities as needed.
• Participate in education and outreach to congregate setting staff and clients.
  
  

Preferred Skills

• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Experience working in or with congregate residential settings.
• Experience with communicable disease surveillance and epidemiologic investigations.
• Experience with structured interviews, medical terminology, and conducting electronic medical chart reviews.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient with word processing, spreadsheets, 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:
• a premium-free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10K annually, per a 2024 assessment.
• additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position’s associated union/benefit fund.
• a public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement.
• a tax-deferred savings program and
• 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.

PUBLIC HEALTH EPIDEMIOLOGIST - 51181

Minimum Qualifications

• 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
• 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.
  
  

55a Program

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.

Residency Requirement

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.

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.