Foodborne Illness Investigator, Bureau of Environmental Disease and Injury Prevention

NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; New York (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dedicated team at a forward-thinking city department committed to public health and safety. This role involves investigating foodborne illnesses, ensuring compliance in food service, and collaborating with health authorities to protect the community. You will have the opportunity to make a significant impact on public health initiatives while enjoying robust benefits, including loan forgiveness programs and a supportive work environment. If you are passionate about health equity and environmental safety, this position offers a rewarding career path with job security and the chance to contribute to the well-being of New Yorkers.

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

• Master's in Public Health or Epidemiology required.
• Experience in foodborne illness investigations preferred.

Responsibilities

• Review investigation reports and recommend actions.
• Supervise preventive measures in food service establishments.
• Conduct interviews related to foodborne illness.

Skills

Food Safety Knowledge

Investigation Skills

Communication Skills

Organizational Skills

Ability to Handle Time-Sensitive Assignments

Education

Master's Degree in Public Health or Epidemiology

Bachelor's Degree with Health Professional Experience

Job description

The mission of the Bureau of Environmental Disease and Injury Prevention is to prevent environmental disease and injury in homes, communities, and the workplace, and to protect health by promoting healthy environments and health equity.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:

1. Review investigation reports submitted by subordinates and recommends appropriate actions or responses.
2. Supervise the institution of immediate control and preventive measures in food service establishments, including monitoring compliance with exclusion of food handlers from work settings.
3. Respond to requests for information from food service establishment operators and the general public.
4. May supervise the conduct of investigations in connection with public health problems involving non-communicable diseases and conditions, such as allergens and toxins in foods.
5. Conduct interviews with constituents that reported symptoms consistent with food borne illness. Interview restaurant managers and owners associated with food borne illness investigations.
6. Collaborate with the Bureau of Environmental Disease and Injury Prevention to coordinate environmental assessments during restaurant-related foodborne illness outbreak investigations.
7. Prepare summaries of investigation findings and enter relevant information in databases used by the department.
8. Consult regularly with New York State Department of Health about findings from restaurant-related foodborne illness investigations.
9. Assist with CDC and NYS reporting of foodborne illness outbreaks in NYC restaurants.
10. Represent NYC in national collaborative calls quarterly with all jurisdictions currently participating in NEARS to discuss and present outbreak investigation concerns and strategies.

PREFERRED SKILLS:

1. Previous experience conducting foodborne illness or similar investigations.
2. Extensive knowledge in food safety.
3. Ability to handle multiple time-sensitive assignments.
4. Excellent communication and 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:
1. a premium-free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10K annually, per a 2024 assessment.
2. additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position’s associated union/benefit fund.
3. a public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement.
4. a tax-deferred savings program.
5. a robust Worksite Wellness Program that offers resources and opportunities to keep you healthy while serving New Yorkers.
3. Work From Home Policy: Depending on your position, you may be able to work up to two days during the week from home.
4. 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!

Minimum Qualifications

1. A master’s degree in public health or epidemiology from an accredited college or university with a minimum of 12 graduate credits in epidemiology; or
2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university plus two years of full-time paid experience as a health professional in a position which requires data collection and the reading and interpretation of medical charts and medical information in support of surveillance and epidemiologic investigations.

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.