Senior Drug Checking Epidemiologist, Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Use

Job Description

The Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Use (BADU) works to close gaps and reduce overall morbidity and mortality related to alcohol and substance use among New Yorkers. BADU develops, implements, and evaluates interventions and prevention strategies through contracting of treatment, recovery and support services; policy analysis and development; epidemiology and surveillance; dissemination of treatment and management guidelines; harm reduction initiatives; public and provider outreach and education; and community involvement and interagency collaboration. The Bureau amplifies the voices of those most impacted and focuses on inequitable structural, social, service, and communication factors that drive disparities. The Office of Research, Surveillance, Policy and Communications within the Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Use is responsible for conducting timely surveillance of alcohol and drug-related morbidity and mortality in NYC, reporting on key trends and disparate impacts by demographic group and neighborhood, conducting drug-checking services and surveillance of the unregulated drug supply in NYC, performing program evaluation and monitoring, and leading community engagement and communications campaigns to educate New Yorkers about alcohol and drug-related health risks.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
1. Serve as data steward for all drug checking data.
2. Extract, clean, manipulate, organize, and analyze data for the bureau’s Drug Checking Program using primarily R, REDCap, Excel and other platforms as needed.
3. Design, conduct, and develop new methods of analyses that will inform future directions of the Drug Checking Program.
4. Create and update data management documentation relating to the Drug Checking Program, including data dictionaries and codebooks, protocols, and methods.
5. Lead preparation and dissemination of data tables, reports, briefs, presentations, and scientific manuscripts to clearly communicate findings and recommendations to a variety of audiences including the public, agency and bureau leadership, other government agencies, and healthcare
providers.
6. Lead the development of data visualization and public dissemination of drug checking results collected across New York City sites.
7. Prepare and manage IRB applications for the Drug Checking Program.
8. Represent bureau in collaborations with internal and external partners, and collaborate to align data collection and reporting with bureau monitoring and policy needs.
9. Supervise and mentor the work of a Drug Checking Data Analyst.
10. Perform all other responsibilities and projects as assigned by supervisors.

PREFERRED SKILLS:
At least 3-5 years of experience analyzing drug epidemiology-related data in an applied setting using R or similar application
- Experience with database management using R, SQL, Microsoft Access, or similar platforms
- Survey development experience using REDCap or similar survey building tools
- Experience building and maintaining data dashboards or other public-facing online-based dissemination platforms; experience with Datawrapper and Power BI a plus
- Experience or familiarity with Git or Github, for team collaboration and code review, a plus
- Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills
- Experience reviewing and editing documents and/or data requests on a tight deadline
- Excellent computer skills, including MS Office
- Experience with data visualization and reporting of results for various audiences, including community members who use drugs, staff members at harm reduction organizations, and providers
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
- Passionate about conducting analyses with the end goal of reducing drug-related morbidity and mortality in New York City

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 (
- 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 or View phone number on aiapply.co.

CITY RESEARCH SCIENTIST - 21744

Qualifications

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.

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.

Agency: DEPT OF HEALTH/MENTAL HYGIENEJob Category: Policy, Research & AnalysisSalary Band: $100,000 to $125,000 Compensation: USD 98159 - USD 112883