Director of Data Communication

Company Description

Job Description

The Bureau of Environmental Surveillance and Policy (BESP) in EH works to ground Health Department programs and policy in science and law to support a healthy and equitable natural, built, and occupational environment for all New Yorkers. We promote environmental health through legal and data-driven program support, using innovative methods to track environmental determinants of health with a focus on New Yorkers disproportionately impacted by environmental risk. We share data and research findings to encourage evidence-based decision-making, and partner with communities in community science and outreach to address stakeholder concerns and empower residents.


The Director of Data Communications will oversee management and development of The NYC Environment and Health Data Portal (EHDP). EHDP is an essential resource for NYC Health to share data and other important environmental and public health communications with the public, regardless of their numeracy skills. It is one of the DOHMH's marquee data communication platforms, and receives significant traffic from public, professional, and media audiences. The incumbent will report to the Executive Director of Informatics and will be responsible for overseeing a team consisting of 3 employees.


Duties will include but not be limited to:
-Set the Vision: Define and execute the overarching strategy, vision, and long-term workplan for the Environment and Health Data Portal, ensuring it meets the evolving needs of the city.
-Be the Translator: Collaborate directly with Environmental Health subject matter experts (SMEs), translating complex program needs and data into compelling, user-friendly digital content and features.
-Lead the Product: Direct and oversee all aspects of portal development and maintenance, acting as the product manager to ensure quality, performance, and timely delivery.
-Support Development: Provide hands on coding and development support where needed.
-Champion the User: Design and execute user and usability research to gather critical feedback, rigorously guiding site improvements and feature rollouts to maximize impact and adoption.
-Build the Team: Supervise and mentor the dedicated EH Data Portal team of 2 staff members, fostering a culture of innovation, excellence, and collaboration.

PREFERRED SKILLS:
- UX/UI Enthusiast: Direct experience with user research methodologies (e.g., interviews, A/B testing, surveys).
-Public Health Knowledge: Familiarity with public and environmental health and equity issues and the unique challenges of communicating risk and indicator data.
-Web Development: Familiarity and experience with web development technologies including JavaScript, HTML, CSS, Hugo (static site generation) and version control (git).
-Government Experience: Experience working in the public sector or a similarly regulated environment.
-Writing and Editing: Experience writing and editing for a wide range of audiences.


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!

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 View email address on click.appcast.io or View phone number on click.appcast.io.

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.