Laboratory Associate, Bureau of the Public Health Laboratory

NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development; New York (NY); On-site; USD 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a pioneering public health laboratory dedicated to safeguarding the health of NYC residents. As a Laboratory Associate, you will play a crucial role in maintaining laboratory operations, ensuring quality control, and managing supplies. This position offers a dynamic work environment where your contributions directly impact public health initiatives. The NYC Public Health Laboratory is committed to innovation and excellence, providing you with opportunities for professional growth and job security. With unmatched benefits and a supportive work culture, this is your chance to make a meaningful difference in the lives of New Yorkers while advancing your career in public health.

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

• High school diploma required with lab experience or coursework.
• Experience in biological, chemical, or clinical labs is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Remove laboratory waste and maintain equipment cleanliness.
• Receive and distribute laboratory supplies and manage inventory.
• Prepare media and specimens for testing and shipment.

Skills

Laboratory Maintenance

Inventory Management

Quality Control Procedures

Equipment Operation

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Laboratory Coursework

Tools

Laboratory Equipment

Job description

The NYC Public Health Laboratory (PHL) is one of the largest local public health laboratories in the United States offering a dynamic and innovative work environment where employees contribute to the health and safety of NYC residents by providing clinical and environmental laboratory testing services. With more than 100 years of leadership in public health, a team of over 200 scientific and support staff are committed to its mission to safeguard the health of all NYC residents by providing quality laboratory testing services that support the priorities of the NYC DOHMH and its community partners to prevent and respond to clinical and environmental public health concerns.

PHL is seeking to hire a Laboratory Associate to work in the Central Accessioning and Central Services Units.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:

1. Removes Laboratory Waste from lab units
2. Receives, stores, and distributes laboratory supplies and equipment
3. Cleans and operates equipment as required
4. Performs and documents daily, weekly routine maintenance and Quality Control procedures on all lab equipment
5. Cleans and sterilizes animal cages and lids on a regular basis
6. Performs Inventory and maintain adequate stock of media, reagents, and other supplies
7. Ships specimens to appropriate external labs
8. Maintain storage and security of laboratory inventory supplies and equipment
9. Prepare media and other supplies for distribution throughout the building
10. Maintain upkeep of designated laboratory instruments before and after usage
11. Will be assigned to the receiving/stock room of the laboratory
12. Receive, sort, accession and deliver specimens, not limited to outbreak specimens to testing laboratory

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.
• 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!

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or its equivalent and:

1. One year of appropriate full-time experience or training in a biological, chemical, or clinical laboratory; or
2. Eight credits, including laboratory coursework, in biology, chemistry, or medical technology, from an accredited college or university; or
3. A satisfactory equivalent combination of (1) and (2) above. However, all candidates must have a high school diploma or its equivalent.

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.