Communications Specialist

NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; New York (NY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

The Office of Chief Medical Examiner in New York City seeks a Customer Information Representative to screen and triage inquiries, enter data, and support investigators and transport teams. The role requires strong communication, data literacy, and the ability to handle high-profile and emergency information with accuracy.

Candidates should have a relevant degree or equivalent experience in public information or help desk settings, with residency in NYC preferred.

Qualifications

• Evidence of strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to navigate data systems and databases for information retrieval.
• Experience responding to inquiries in customer service or public information roles.

Responsibilities

• Answer telephones and gather vital information from law enforcement, facilities, hospitals, and the public.
• Enter data into OCME's Case Intake database accurately and timely.
• Notify Medicolegal Investigators of cases and pertinent details to guide investigations.
• Provide information to Medical Examiner Transport Team for case recovery.
• Share information with agency staff to support operations, including high-profile events.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Skills

Customer service

Help desk

Public information

Education

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university

Associate degree or 60 semester credits plus 1 year experience in inquiries

High school diploma + 2 years related experience

Education/experience combination with NYC substitution

Job description

The Office of Chief Medical Examiner investigates cases of persons who die within New York City from criminal violence, by accident, by suicide, suddenly when in apparent health, when unattended by a physician, in a correctional facility or in any suspicious or unusual manner or where an application is made pursuant to law for a permit to cremate a body of a person.

The core values of CARES guide our work for communities and inform our behavior toward each other and all those we serve.

• Commitment: Dedicated to the mission at all times
• Accountability: Responsible to each other and the community
• Resilience: Adapt in the face of adversity
• Excellence: Achieve and maintain the highest quality
• Service: Innovate to meet evolving needs

Duties

Under the general direction of the Assistant Director of Communication Operations and specifically under the supervision of a Communications Supervisor, incumbent will receive and facilitate both the screening and assignment of reported deaths and the triage and deployment of all other incoming calls, as appropriate. Duties will include but are not limited to:

• Answer telephones and obtains vital information from law enforcement agencies, various medical facilities, funeral homes, hospital nursing homes, and the public.
• Accurately enters data into OCME's “Case Intake” computerized data-base system.
• Notifies Medicolegal Investigators of their assigned cases and all pertinent information necessary to investigate that case
• Provide all pertinent information necessary to the Medical Examiner Transport Team to recover assigned cases.
• Provide all pertinent information necessary to agency staff to support high profile and / or emergency operations.
• Other duties as assigned

Special Note

Selected candidates will be required to provide a DNA sample by swabbing.

This position has been identified as essential. During emergency events, essential positions may require 24-hour availability.

Work Authorization

Authorization to work in the United States is required for this position. Office of Chief Medical Examiner does not provide sponsorship for international employees for visa applications, extensions, or status changes, including STEM/OPT visas. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that they meet all qualifying requirements for this position at the time of application.

***Please note that only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted for this position. FINAL APPOINTMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT & BUDGET APPROVAL.***

CUSTOMER INFORMATION REP - 60888

Minimum Qualifications

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university; or
• 2 An associate degree or 60 semester credits from an accredited college or university and one year of satisfactory, full-time experience responding to inquiries utilizing computers, databases and information technology systems for researching the answers to questions in a customer service, help desk or public information capacity; or
• A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and two years of satisfactory, full-time experience as described in "2" above; or
• A satisfactory combination of education and experience. Satisfactory, full-time experience working for a New York City government agency responding to inquiries utilizing computers, databases and information technology systems for researching the answers to questions in a customer service, help desk or public information capacity may be substituted on the basis of one year of NYC government work experience for two years of the experience described in "2" above. College credit may be substituted for the experience in a customer service, help desk or public information capacity on the basis of 60 semester credits for each year of the experience described in "2" above. However, all candidates must possess a four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent.
• To be eligible for assignment to Assignment Level III, candidates must have, in addition to meeting the Qualification Requirements for Assignment Level I, two more years of the satisfactory full-time experience described in "2" above.

55a Program

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

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.