Data Analyst, Bureau of Mental Health

NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of New York, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, seeks a Cities Research Scientist to advance data-driven public health policy. This role partners with program staff to design metrics, perform analyses, and communicate findings to leadership and stakeholders.

Responsibilities include data processing with SAS/SQL/R, maintaining Power BI dashboards, and conducting equity-focused evaluations across mental health programs. A master’s or higher in a relevant field is required.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in public health or related field; Doctorate preferred for higher assignments.
• Experience with large program or administrative datasets using SAS, SQL, and/or R.
• Experience with data visualization tools such as Power BI or Tableau.
• Knowledge of public mental health systems and recovery-oriented practices.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with program staff and IT to develop data collection instruments and improve data systems and processes.
• Develop specific and measurable program metrics for operational and performance management.
• Using SAS, SQL, or R to process, clean, and prepare data for analysis and reporting; monitor data quality.
• Prepare routine reports and presentations of program performance with data graphs and trends; communicate results to non-technical audiences.
• Maintain dashboards in Power BI; assist in developing new dashboards as needed.
• Respond to ad hoc data requests for internal and external audiences.
• Provide actionable recommendations based on data analyses.
• Develop training materials and conduct trainings on updates to the data collection system.
• Manage multiple projects and collaborate with other research and program staff.
• Incorporate an equity lens in all aspects of work.
• Conduct special projects and perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

SAS

SQL

R

Independence

Relational databases

Teamwork

Communication

Quantitative analysis

Public mental health

Organizational skills

Education

Master's degree in public health or related field

Doctorate degree in appropriate field

Tools

Maven

Power BI

Tableau

Job 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.

Duties Will Include But Not Be Limited To

• Collaborate with program staff and IT to develop and refine data collection instruments and improve data systems and processes.
• Work with program stakeholders to develop specific and measurable program metrics for operational and performance management.
• Using SQL, SAS, or R to process, clean, and prepare data for analysis and reporting; data check; document data management procedures (e.g., data dictionaries, business rules); monitor data quality, identify issues, and work with program staff to resolve.
• Prepare routine reports and presentations of program performance with data graphs/service trends; Clearly communicate (oral and written) results of analyses to program staff/leadership and other non-technical audiences.
• Maintain and update existing dashboards as needed using software such as Power BI; assist in developing new dashboards as needed.
• Respond quickly and accurately to ad hoc data requests for internal (e.g., Directors, Assistant Commissioners) and external audiences (e.g., public hearings, City Hall).
• Work with leadership and program stakeholders on interpretation and limitations of data analysis results and provide actionable recommendations.
• Develop training materials and conduct trainings on updates to the data collection system as needed. Create guidance documents for internal staff and external users detailing updates to the system.
• Manage multiple projects and collaborate with other research and program staff.
• Incorporate an equity lens in all aspects of work.
• Conduct special projects and perform other duties as assigned.

Preferred Skills

• Experience processing, cleaning, manipulating, and analyzing large program or administrative datasets using statistical software such as SAS, SQL, and/or R is required.
• Ability to work independently and problem solve.
• Experience in querying, cleaning, and maintaining large relational databases.
• Willingness to be flexible and work as part of a team.
• Experience working with an electronic health, social service, or case management record system such as Maven.
• Experience with data visualization tools such as Power BI, and /or Tableau.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Experience in quantitative analytical methods.
• Experience with public mental health systems and recovery-oriented practices
• Strong organizational skills.

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 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. 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.

CITIES RESEARCH SCIENTIST - 21744

Minimum Qualifications

• 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:

• 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
• 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
• 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.

Probationary Period

Appointments to this position are subject to a minimum probationary period of one year.

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.