Field Research Assistant, Bureau of Environmental Disease Prevention

City of New York; New York (NY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Loan forgiveness

Health insurance

Work from home policy

Public sector pension

Tax-deferred savings program

Job summary

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is seeking a Field Research Assistant to support Environmental Investigations and Enforcement. You will assist inspectors, manage field appointments, log field activities, and help with data entry across multiple program databases.

Ideal candidates bring strong customer service and MS Office skills, plus attention to detail and solid organizational abilities. Some remote work may be available depending on the role and union guidelines.

Qualifications

• Baccalaureate degree or equivalent with research data experience.
• Experience gathering, organizing, analyzing data and reporting.
• Proficiency in MS Office and database data entry abilities.
• Strong attention to detail and good organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Schedule field appointments for Inspectors and log arrivals.
• Research landlord/tenant information and enter data into databases.
• Review documents from field visits and verify data in systems.
• Check lab reports for sampling contractor licenses using EPA sites.
• Review 311 complaints, contact complainants, and document outcomes.
• Prepare and send correspondence and perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Customer service

Interpersonal skills

Telephone manners

Microsoft Office

Data entry

Online research

Attention to detail

Organization

Language skills (optional)

Education

Bachelor's degree

Associate degree

High school diploma

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

The mission of the Bureau of Environmental Disease Prevention is to prevent environmental disease in homes, communities, and the workplace, and to protect health by promoting healthy environments and health equity. The Field Research Assistant will provide research and administrative support to inspectional staff and unit managers/supervisors in the Program's Environmental Investigations and Enforcement Unit (EIEU).

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:

• Assist with making field appointments for Inspectors
• Log calls from field staff confirming their arrival/departure from field visits
• Research landlord/tenant information
• Performs data entry of information into LeadQuest or other databases as requested
• Review submitted documents from field visits and input data into various program databases
• Review lab report for validity of sampling contractor EPA licenses using EPA website
• Reviews 311 complaints for validity by calling complainant when applicable; complete the complaint
• Prepare and send correspondence
• Other duties as assigned

PREFERRED SKILLS:

Candidates should have a strong customer service background, excellent interpersonal communication skills, courteous telephone manners, and are proficient in the use of Microsoft applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Previous experience entering data into databases and basic knowledge with researching information online. Strong attention to details and organizational skills. Fluency in foreign languages is not required but is a plus.

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!

Commitment to Equity:

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.

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.

RESEARCH ASSISTANT - 60910

Minimum Qualifications

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and six months of satisfactory full-time experience in research which involves gathering, organizing and analyzing data, and report writing; or 2. An associate degree from an accredited college, or completion of 60 semester credits at an accredited college, and two years and six months of satisfactory full-time experience in research which involves gathering, organizing and analyzing data, and report writing; or 3. A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and four years and six months of satisfactory full-time experience in research which involves gathering, organizing and analyzing data, and report writing; or 4. Education and experience equivalent to '1', '2', or '3' above. Undergraduate college credit can be substituted for experience on the basis of 30 semester credits from an accredited college for one year of full-time experience. Completion of nine credits, at the college or graduate school level, in statistics, quantitative methods, mathematics, or research can be substituted for six months of the required experience. However, all candidates must possess a four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and at least six months of required experience or the nine specialized credits.

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.