Assistant Commissioner, BMIRH

NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development; New York (NY); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a pioneering public health agency dedicated to improving maternal and infant health in New York City. As the Assistant Commissioner, you will lead initiatives that promote health equity and address disparities in reproductive health outcomes. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape public health policy and collaborate with community partners to drive impactful change. With a focus on social justice, you will oversee programs that aim to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates and enhance access to vital health services. Be a part of a mission-driven organization that values diversity and is committed to making a difference in the lives of New Yorkers.

Benefits

Loan Forgiveness Programs

Premium-Free Health Insurance

Public Sector Pension Plan

Tax-Deferred Savings Program

Worksite Wellness Program

Job Security

Flexible Work From Home Policy

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in senior management in public health.
• Strong background in maternal and reproductive health.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Bureau of Maternal, Infant and Reproductive Health.
• Develop programs to improve maternal and infant health outcomes.

Skills

Public Health Leadership

Program Development

Communication Skills

Grant Management

Community Engagement

Racial Justice Advocacy

Reproductive Health Knowledge

Education

Doctorate in Public Health

Master's in Public Health

Clinical Degree (RN, Midwife, etc.)

Job description

The Division of Family and Child Health (DFCH) of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is charged with the creation and oversight of programs, policies, services, and environments that support physical and socio-emotional health, and promote primary and reproductive health services, health equity, social justice, safety and well-being for New York City families and children. The Division is comprised of the Bureau of Maternal Infant and Reproductive Health, the Bureau of Early Intervention, the Office of School Health, and the Bureau of Administration. The vision of the DFCH is that every child, woman, and family recognize their power and is given the opportunity to reach their full health and development potential. We encourage qualified applicants with demonstrated commitment to social justice to apply.

The Bureau of Maternal, Infant and Reproductive Health (BMIRH) is dedicated to improving and reducing inequities in maternal, infant and reproductive health outcomes through program, policy and research initiatives. The Bureau strives to apply a sexual and reproductive justice and racial justice framework to our work, and to fully engage community partners to move this work forward.

We seek a dynamic, visionary, experienced public health professional with a track record of success to lead the NYC Health Department’s Bureau of Maternal, Infant and Reproductive Health. The position of Assistant Commissioner, Bureau of Maternal, Infant and Reproductive Health is an exciting opportunity to make a difference in the lives of New Yorkers by promoting and implementing a public health agenda to improve maternal, infant, sexual and reproductive health outcomes in New York City, and to address the persistent and unacceptable racial and ethnic inequities in these outcomes. Under the direction of the Deputy Commissioner of the Division of Family and Child Health, with very wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment, initiative and decision-making, the Assistant Commissioner is responsible for overall leadership and management of the Bureau.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:

1. Provide leadership, vision, and strategic planning for the Bureau.
2. Set priorities and ensure that work is in alignment with Bureau, Division, and Agency goals; and promote and prioritize health equity, sexual and reproductive justice, and racial justice.
3. Develop and lead programs, initiatives, and research to create measurable impact on infant mortality, maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity, access to sexual and reproductive health education and services, and racial and ethnic disparities in perinatal and reproductive health.
4. Oversee all budgetary, personnel, and administrative aspects to run the Bureau effectively. Ensure efficient use of resources and seek new funding opportunities.
5. Assure effective ongoing program implementation and evaluation. Monitor and assess progress of ongoing Bureau programs including review of budgets and program activities, accomplishments and challenges.
6. Initiate and build key relationships within the Division of Family and Child Health, Agency, and external partners to further public health goals, including participation on Boards of Directors and/or other related activities.
7. Engage stakeholders from most inequitably affected communities with authenticity, collaboration and the ability to build trust.
8. Represent the agency and promote agency, division and bureau work through media, conferences, published literature and/or other public and professional meetings and events.
9. Participate in executive leadership team of the Division of Family and Child Health.

Preferred Skills

• Clinical degree including Registered Nurse, Midwife, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant or Social Work.
• MPH, DrPH or PhD in Public Health, or other related doctoral or master's degree.
• Minimum 10 years' experience in senior management/leadership public health position.
• Background and content expertise in maternal, infant, reproductive and sexual health.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience in overall program development and management, grant development and management, staff development and public systems and policy.
• Understanding of and commitment to reproductive and racial justice.
• Experience implementing activities applying a reproductive and racial justice lens.

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:
• 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.
• 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 [e-mail] or 347-396-6549.

Minimum Qualifications

Five years of full-time paid experience in an administrative position in programs closely related to maternal and child health services; and
In addition to the experience described in (1) above, either:

1. One year of formal appointment as an intern in an approved general or children’s hospital, Board certification in Pediatrics, Obstetrics, Gynecology, and possession of a license to practice medicine in the State of New York; or
2. A Doctorate Degree in Public Health, or Maternal, Infant, and Reproductive Health, or a related field, and two years of full-time paid experience in programs closely related to maternal and child health services; or
3. A Master’s Degree in Public Health, or Maternal, Infant, and Reproductive Health, or a related field, and seven years of full-time paid experience in programs closely related to maternal and child health services.

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. Except as otherwise provided herein, a person serving in a mayoral agency in any of the following civil service or office titles shall be a resident of the City on the date that he or she assumes such title or shall establish city residence within ninety days after such date and shall thereafter maintain city residency for as long as he or she serves in such title: agency heads, including but not limited to Commissioner, Director and Executive Director, First Deputy Commissioner, Executive Deputy Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, General Counsel, Borough Commissioner, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Associate Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner, and other senior level staff titles, identified on a list established pursuant to section 2(b) of this Order.

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.