Data Analyst & Program Evaluation Specialist, Bureau of Communicable Diseases

Job Description

The Bureau of Communicable Disease (BCD) oversees surveillance and investigations of more than 70 reportable diseases. This Communicable Diseases Data Analyst and Program Evaluation Specialist position sits in BCD’s Investigation and Response Unit.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
The analyst will use data to evaluate disease investigation and surveillance processes and the progress of investigations. Under general direction, with very wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment and initiative, they will perform the following duties:
- Conduct and supervise subordinate staff conducting program evaluation, quality assurance, data analysis, and investigation of cases and outbreaks of infectious diseases.
- Develop and maintain routine monitoring metrics, dashboards, and reports to evaluate timeliness, accuracy and completeness of case investigation and data collection, and workflow performance over time.
- Conduct descriptive and exploratory data analyses to assess work flow patterns and identify areas for improvement.
- Design, implement and maintain data collection frame works and surveys to support disease investigation, quality improvement and research activities.
- Maintain records and document decisions, data definitions and evaluation findings to promote transparency, reproducibility, and sharing of knowledge.
- Prepare reports that include detailed analyses and findings for use within and outside of the Health Department.
- Support and manage subordinate city research scientists, disease investigators, and trainees. Instruct supervisees, trainees and colleagues in methods and techniques for program evaluation, quality assurance, disease investigation, and analysis of workflow and surveillance data.
- Support improvement, quality assurance and maintenance of BCD’s electronic surveillance system, Maven.
- Assist with and lead coordination of research with agency and external partners.
- Evaluate relevant literature. Maintain up-to-date summaries to help bureau subject matter experts remain abreast of important developments.
- Contribute to research and evaluation by preparing analytic datasets, conducting preliminary analyses, and supporting interpretation of findings.

PREFERRED SKILLS:
- Core competencies: excellent organization and time management skills; attention to detail; strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills; excellent written and verbal communication; commitment to the bureau and agency’s mission; high level of professionalism
- Experience with electronic disease registries and public health surveillance data
- Knowledge of and experience with quality assurance and program evaluation
- Proficiency in SQL and/or SAS/R
- Ability to prioritize deadlines based on volume and source of requests
- Supervisory experience
- Ability to manage multiple tasks, work collaboratively across teams, and translate data insights into actionable recommendations
- Ability to articulate findings to a wide audience, including people who do not have data skills themselves
- Experience with medical record abstraction and knowledge of medical terminology
- Experience conducting structured interviews

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:
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 sahn1@health.nyc.gov or 347-396-6549.

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.