Health Product Development & Engineering Lead, Bureau of Data and Technology & Strategy

City of New York; New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department) seeks a City Research Scientist to lead the UDX platform development and data-driven public health communications. You will guide cross-functional teams, work on research and prototyping, and translate needs into scalable data products.

Applicants should hold an advanced degree in a relevant field, with supervisory or research experience. The role offers mission-driven work within NYC’s public health ecosystem.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in an appropriate field of physical, biological, environmental science or public health.
• Doctorate and 1 year of supervisory/administrative/research capacity OR Master’s + 3 years of research experience; alternative with 2 years at Level I.

Responsibilities

• Lead the engineering and development of the UDX platform, choosing technologies and architectures.
• Collaborate on research and design, turning needs into prototypes and products.
• Identify design or technical problems and devise timely, cost-effective solutions.
• Lead and guide junior developers and UX designers.
• Communicate design, development, and trade-offs to internal stakeholders.
• Promote innovative ideas that leverage data for action.

Skills

Leadership

Front-end Web

User-centered design

Public health knowledge

A/B testing

Team collaboration

Feedback receptive

Education

Master’s degree in relevant field

Doctorate with supervisory/research experience

Job description

The Center for Population Health Data Science (CPHDS)- launched in October of 2023- aims to catalyze critical data modernization work and enable the agency to make progress toward linking public health, healthcare, and social service for timely and effective publication. We are working towards making these data more accessible, timely, equitable, meaningfully usable, and protected - and actively used to protect and promote the health and wellbeing of New Yorkers. We aim to strengthen agencywide data capabilities by empowering our workforce, enhancing intra- and inter-agency data sharing, and using modern technology to yield trusted and integrated data and insights. A real-time and comprehensive view of city needs is needed to enhance public health actions and improve health outcomes for the most vulnerable New Yorkers. The CPHDS is working to strengthen citywide population health surveillance by better linking public health, healthcare, and social service data to fully characterize and improve the health of New Yorkers. Our vision is for these data to be accessible, timely, equitable, meaningfully usable, and protected in order to protect and promote health and wellbeing of New Yorkers. The Bureau of Data Technology and Strategy (DTS) is home to data strategy, data communication, data governance, data product management, data engineering, and data science capabilities. The Unified Data Experience (UDX) team is working to modernize how the agency communicates data to the public, ensuring usability, accessibility, and approachability of all public-facing data communication products.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:

• Lead the engineering and development of the UDX platform: choosing technologies, architectures, and componentry to support development and desired workflows.
• Collaborate with team on research and design – turning internal and external needs into prototypes and prototypes into product.
• Identify design or technical problems and devise elegant, timely, and cost-effective solutions.
• Lead and guide other contributors including junior developers and UX designers.
• Communicate design, development, and technical decisions and trade-offs to internal stakeholders.
• Ask insightful questions, take risks, and champion innovative ideas that facilitate the use of data for action.

PREFERRED SKILLS:

• Four or more years of demonstrated leadership experience developing internally- and externally-facing data communication products like dashboards and web products. Preference will be given to candidates who have experience designing complex solutions and are enthusiastic about data visualization and data communication products.
• Experience in accessible front-end web design using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, including familiarity with a wide range of contemporary web development tools and technologies, especially JavaScript-based open-source frameworks like React and Next.js.
• A strong grasp of user-centered design principles or design thinking.
• Experience with public health principles, health literacy, evidence-based health communications, or evidence-based data visualization techniques.
• Familiarity with experimental thinking and ability to conduct A/B tests to determine best approaches.
• Ability to work effectively in a team setting including synthesizing abstract ideas into concrete designs.
• Be passionate about resolving user pain points through great design.
• Be open to receiving feedback and constructive criticism.

Why you should work for us:

Benefits: City employees are entitled to unmatched benefits such as:

• o a premium-free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10K annually, per a 2024 assessment.
• o additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position’s associated union/benefit fund.
• o a public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement.
• o a tax-deferred savings program and
• o 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.

CITY RESEARCH SCIENTIST - 21744

Minimum Qualifications

1. 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:

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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.

NOTE:

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.