The mission of the Bureau of Immunization (BOI) is to prevent the occurrence and transmission of infectious diseases through immunization. The BOI surveillance unit is responsible for conducting surveillance of measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella, and invasive pneumococcal disease in children aged less than 5 years and assuring the institution of control measures and outbreak response. The surveillance unit is also responsible for the management and analysis of surveillance data and monitoring the impact of new vaccines. Reporting to the Vaccine Preventable Diseases, Unit Chief, the VPD Exposure Setting Lead would serve as the liaison to exposure settings throughout NYC including schools, childcare programs, health care facilities, shelters and work settings for cases of reportable vaccine preventable diseases covered by BOI.

The VPD Exposure Setting Lead will be responsible for providing timely guidance on control measures that are specific to the exposure setting to ensure implementation of control measures to limit and prevent disease transmission. The VPD Exposure Setting Lead would report to the City Research Scientist Level 3 staff and will support data analysis, including monitoring trends of reportable diseases and analyzing epidemiology of cases when case counts are elevated.

Duties will include but not be limited to:
- Serve as the liaison to exposure settings throughout NYC including schools, childcare programs, healthcare facilities, shelters and work settings for cases of reportable vaccine preventable diseases covered by BOI
- Responsible for providing timely guidance on control measures that are specific to the exposure setting, including exclusions from these settings, post-exposure prophylaxis, and communications to exposed persons at this setting
- Responsible for documenting guidance in the surveillance database (Maven)
- Follow up with settings to ensure implementation of timely control measures
- Support data analysis including monitoring trends of reportable diseases and analyzing epidemiology of cases
- Assist with conducting epidemiological and statistical analytic projects for surveillance, program evaluation, grant reports, and research studies
- In an outbreak response, train and supervise staff on VPD exposure setting work
- Participate in other BOI activities as needed

Preferred Skills:

- Masters in Public Health or equivalent training and experience
- At least 2 years’ experience in epidemiological methods, public health practice, outbreak investigation, and disease control methods
- Excellent computer skills including MS Access, MS Excel, GIS applications and statistical analysis software e.g. SAS, SPSS, Stata; experience with SQL is strongly preferred
- Experience with MAVEN is strongly preferred
- Experience doing presentations at local and national conferences is strongly preferred
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills.

Why you should work for us:

- 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 [email protected] or 347-396-6549.

CITY RESEARCH SCIENTIST - 21744

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.