Customer Service Liaison, Bureau of Food Safety and Community Sanitation

NYC Department of Social Services; New York (NY); On-site; USD 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dedicated team within a forward-thinking government agency committed to safeguarding public health. In this role, you will engage with the community, responding to inquiries and ensuring that vital information reaches those in need. You will be part of a mission-driven organization focused on improving the lives of New Yorkers through various health initiatives. Enjoy the benefits of public sector employment, including job security, loan forgiveness programs, and unmatched health benefits. If you are passionate about making a difference and possess strong communication and organizational skills, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Benefits

Loan Forgiveness Programs

Premium-Free Health Insurance

Defined Benefit Pension Plan

Tax-Deferred Savings Program

Worksite Wellness Program

Work From Home Policy

Job Security

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required.
• Experience in customer service or public information capacity is essential.

Responsibilities

• Respond to a high volume of telephone calls and provide information.
• Maintain an online database of correspondence and schedule appointments.

Skills

Communication Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Decision Making

Problem Solving

Organizational Skills

Education

Baccalaureate Degree

Associate Degree

High School Diploma

Tools

Computers

Databases

Information Technology Systems

Job description

ONLY PERMANENT EMPLOYEES IN THE TITLE AND THOSE THAT ARE REACHABLE ON THE CUSTOMER INFORMATION REPRESENTATIVE CIVIL SERVICE LIST ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY.

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's Division of Environmental Health works to prevent and control illness and injury related to environmental and occupational health risks through outreach, education, surveillance, and enforcement. With staff of 1,000, the Division covers a broad range of subject matter, including oversight of environmental investigations, lead poisoning, injury prevention, occupational health, food safety, childcare, radiation control, recreational and drinking water quality, air quality, climate health, vector control, veterinary public health, and pest control.

PROGRAM: The Bureau of Food Safety and Community Sanitation (BFSCS) protects the public, including New York's most vulnerable citizens from a broad range of hazards that may pose a threat to health or safety. DOHMH is mandated to inspect 26,000 restaurants annually, school cafeterias, and mobile food vending units, adult day care centers, senior centers, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, and other facilities.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:

1. Respond to a high volume of telephone calls by referring to appropriate unit, taking messages as necessary and providing information where appropriate.
2. Receive, screen/direct visitors to agency offices by welcoming, and providing visitors with information to assist visitors in reaching appropriate agency staff.
3. Maintain an online database of all incoming/outgoing correspondence.
4. Schedule appointments for inspections, office visits, and meetings.
5. Maintain schedules, records, and other material, by entering and updating information following standard procedures.

PREFERRED SKILLS:

1. Excellent communication skills.
2. Excellent interpersonal skills.
3. Excellent decision making and problem-solving skills.
4. Excellent organizational skills.

Why you should work for us:

1. 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/).
2. 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.

CUSTOMER INFORMATION REP - 60888

Minimum Qualifications

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university; or
2. An associate degree from an accredited college or university and two years 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
3. A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and four years of satisfactory, full-time experience as described in "2" above; or
4. 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 30 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.
5. To be eligible for assignment to Assignment Level II, candidates must have, in addition to meeting the above Qualification Requirements, one more year of the satisfactory full-time experience described in "2" above.
6. 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.

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.