Research Analyst, Bureau of Mental Health

Research Analyst, Bureau of Mental Health

Division/Program Summary Description: The Bureau of Mental Health's (BMH) mission is to improve mental health and wellness for people in New York City, and to eliminate racial and other long-standing societal disparities by providing services, resources, and opportunities to New Yorkers that are grounded in accurate, data-driven information that fosters community participation, thus reducing the stigma around mental health. To accomplish this mission, the Bureau of Mental Health contracts for supportive housing, crisis intervention, mental health treatment, care coordination and psychiatric rehabilitation services. The bureau directly operates the City's court-mandated Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) program, Single Point of Access (SPOA) to mobile treatment and care coordination, and the NYC Supportive Transition and Recovery Team (NYCSTART) for young adults experiencing a first episode psychosis. The bureau also evaluates mental health services and conducts population level surveys and behavioral health care system surveillance to identify gaps care and inform decision making, advocacy and policy. The Office of Research and Evaluation (ORE) support Bureau Leadership and Bureau Offices by providing surveillance, needs assessment research, program evaluation, data system development and maintenance, and program data reporting to support the work of the bureau. Position Summary: The Research Analyst will work in the Office of Research and Evaluation to improve the Bureau's program evaluation and research activities to better meet the mental health needs of New Yorkers. The individual will serve as a centralized research and analytic resource for Mental Health Bureau leadership and staff regarding research design, survey development, program evaluation, and data analysis to inform Bureau planning and policy decisions.

Job Duties and Responsibilities: - Contribute to the planning, development, and implementation of program evaluation and research activities. - Work collaboratively with program stakeholders to develop key outcomes and indicators to measure implementation and success of program activities. - Design and conduct analyses of existing program and administrative data (e.g., Medicaid, Department of Correction) to evaluate program outcomes and processes; employ methods for predictive data analysis using cross-sectional and longitudinal data. - Clean, recode, and manipulate data and assist in data management efforts through data quality review and thorough documentation of data management decisions. - Respond rapidly and accurately to internal and external requests for data. - Effectively present and interpret data findings verbally, in writing and in graphical format to program management, non-technical audiences, and program leadership, advise leadership on limitations and provide actionable recommendations. - Assist in the writing of technical and research publications and reports on the evaluation of Mental Health Programs. - Conduct literature reviews to inform research questions, analysis design and outcome measures. - Manage multiple projects and collaborate with other research and program staff. - Conduct special projects and perform other duties as assigned. - Incorporate an equity lens throughout all aspects of work.

Preferred Skills: - The successful candidate will have 3-5 years full time experience processing, cleaning, manipulating, and analyzing large programs or administrative datasets using software such as SAS, R, and SQL. - Competency in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is needed. - A background and experience with research, program evaluation methodologies, survey development and implementation, and data analysis is preferred. - The candidate will have excellent written and oral communication skills. - The individual will be self-motivated, self-disciplined, and able to work independently. - The candidate will have a strong sense of teamwork and the ability to get along with a wide range of people. - The individual will possess project management skills. - Ability to solve problems and research issues is imperative.

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: 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.