Data Specialist

Fund for Public Health in NYC; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 34,440 - 37,195; Part time

Job summary

The Fund for Public Health in NYC seeks a Data Specialist to assist with data curation, cleaning, and basic analyses. This part-time role allows flexibility with a hybrid work model, requiring at least one day in the office per week.

The successful candidate will contribute to public health initiatives, utilizing statistical software such as R and SAS. A high school diploma and experience in public health research are required.

Qualifications

• Experience with evaluation, monitoring, and public health research.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience developing reports and presentations.

Responsibilities

• Support the organization of data, including preparing data extracts and datasets.
• Extract, clean, manipulate, and analyze data using R, SAS, Excel, SQL.
• Review medical examiner reports and toxicology reports, abstract data, and enter into a database.

Skills

R

SAS

Excel

SQL

Communication Skills

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

BA/BS in sociology, psychology, anthropology, public health, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Job Title: Data Specialist

Department: Office of Research, Surveillance, Policy, & Communications (RSPC)

Division: Mental Hygiene

Bureau: Alcohol and Drug Use

Location: 42-09 28th St, Long Island City, NY 11101

Reports To Title: Data and Evaluation Manager, RSPC

Direct Reports Title(s): None

Schedule & Hours: Part-time—up to 25 hours per week, with flexibility to work within the hours of M-F, 9am –5pm

Workplace Flexibility Modality: Flexible, at least one day in the office per week

Work Environment: Office Environment, occasional travel for meetings and presentations within the NYC boroughs.

Grant End Date: 07/31/2028

Created Date: 03.31.2026

Revised Date: 06.04.2026

Salary: This position will be hired through a staffing agency. Compensation for the position is hourly, with a rate up to $25/hour - $27/hour commensurate with experience.

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Who We Are

The Fund for Public Health in New York City (FPHNYC) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is dedicated to the advancement of the health and well-being of all New Yorkers. To this end, in partnership with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), FPHNYC incubates innovative public health initiatives implemented by DOHMH to advance community health throughout the city. It facilitates partnerships, often new and unconventional, between government and the private sector to develop, test, and launch new initiatives. These collaborations speed the execution of demonstration projects, effect expansion of successful pilot programs, and support rapid implementation to meet the public health needs of individuals, families, and communities across New York City.

Our Culture

We embrace a culture of learning, collaboration, innovation, and well-being, where open communication drives our impact.

About The Role

The Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Use (BADU) is seeking a Data Specialist to assist with the curation, cleaning, preparation, and basic analyses of data (e.g., overdose mortality data, naloxone distribution and dispensing data) as part of our participation in the RESCUE study. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: data cleaning and data entry projects (e.g., naloxone dispensing and distribution data, ED and in‑patient hospitalization data), preparation of data tables, abstraction of data from medical examiner and toxicology reports and data entry into a database, and contributions to other research and surveillance projects, including through conducting literature reviews, developing presentations and data visualizations, and attending meetings, as needed.

About The Program

BADU works to close gaps and reduce overall morbidity and mortality related to alcohol and substance use among New Yorkers by developing, implementing, and evaluating public health policies and programs across the substance use continuum of care. The Office of Research, Surveillance, Policy, and Communications conducts alcohol‑ and drug‑related surveillance, program evaluation, and research, maintains databases, designs research protocols, produces reports, writes scientific articles for peer review journals, and facilitates program and policy development. This position will be funded through RESCUE, via a cooperative agreement with the National Institute on Drug Abuse and partnership with CHERISH at Weill Cornell Medicine.

Responsibilities

• Support the organization of data, including preparing data extracts, datasets, and aggregate data tables for our partners and providing preliminary documentation.
• Extract, clean, manipulate, organize, and analyze data using R, SAS, Excel, SQL, and other platforms.
• Perform data entry, for example naloxone distribution data, drug checking data
• Update surveillance data products, including but not limited to data tables
• Support the implementation and maintenance of the collection of individual‑level naloxone dispensing, for example, data QA, data collection training
• Review medical examiner reports and toxicology reports, abstract data, and enter data into an electronic database.
• Follow security standards for working with sensitive data and proper tracking procedures.
• Attend appropriate meetings and provide findings to necessary parties upon request.
• Other duties as assigned to support the overall goals and mission of the department/ organization.

Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalent
• BA/BS in sociology, psychology, anthropology, public health, or a related social science field a plus.
• Experience with evaluation, monitoring, and public health research
• Experience with statistical software such as SAS, R, or SQL
• Excellent computer skills, with proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint)
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience developing reports and presentations
• Experience conducting administrative tasks simultaneously and efficiently
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

FPHNY is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

At-Will Employment Statement

Employment with FPHNY is at-will, meaning that either the employee or the company may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, and with or without notice. This job description does not constitute a contract of employment.

Residency Requirement

You must live in the New York City Tri‑state area (NY, NJ, CT) to be considered for a position at FPHNY.

Vaccination Statement

All employees are required to comply with FPHNY’s vaccination policy.