OEI Research Assistant, Bureau of Environmental Disease Prevention

DEPT OF HEALTH/MENTAL HYGIENE; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 48,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Loan Forgiveness

Health insurance

Work from home up to 2 days/week

Job summary

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is seeking an OEI Research Assistant to answer the main complaint line, relay messages, and support data-driven tasks under supervision. The role involves data entry, file archiving, and coordination with office and field staff to ensure timely follow-up.

Candidates should have foundational research experience, strong communication skills, and basic computer literacy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree plus at least six months of full-time research experience involving data gathering, organization and reporting.
• Associate degree (or 60 college credits) plus at least two years and six months of such experience.
• Four-year high school diploma plus at least four years and six months of experience.
• Education/experience combinations allowing substitution with statistics/quantitative coursework as described in the notice.

Responsibilities

• Answer the OEI main complaint line and relay messages to appropriate staff.
• Perform data entry and verify data accuracy per protocols.
• Maintain accurate digital archives of forms and reports.
• Serve as liaison between clients and office/field personnel on complaints.

Skills

Online research

Customer service

Communication

Telephone etiquette

Basic computer literacy

Education

Bachelor’s degree + 6 months research experience

Associate degree + 2.5 years research experience

High school diploma + 4.5 years research experience

Education and experience equivalent to 1–3

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 OEI Research Assistant will answer OEI’s main complaint line, relaying messages to appropriate office/field staff for follow-up. Under supervision, with latitude for independent judgement, will perform complex research and clerical tasks, and will report and assist the program’s senior administrative lead as necessary.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:

• Data entry
• Review and verify previously entered data for accuracy, validity, and that it complies with set protocols
• Answer OEI’s main line and relay messages to the relevant personnel
• Serve as a liaison between clients and office/field personnel on the matter of incoming complaints
• Prepare written reports on weekly field activities
• Maintain accurate digital archiving of all forms and reports
• Assist with mail delivery/pick-up from building’s central mailroom
• Other duties as assigned

PREFERRED SKILLS:

• Previous experience researching information online, a strong customer service background, excellent oral and written communication skills, courteous telephone manner, basic computer literacy with the desire to learn additional computer skills

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.

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.

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.