Public Health Assistant

NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; New York (NY); On-site; USD 45,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Pension plan

Tax-deferred savings program

Worksite Wellness program

Work from home (up to 2 days per week)

Job summary

The NYC Health Department seeks a Public Health Assistant to support the Vision Program within the Division of Family and Child Health, Office of School Health. You will travel across all five boroughs to conduct vision screenings for Pre-K to 1st grade students and help ensure accurate data collection.

This role partners with Warby Parker to provide free eyeglasses for students who fail screenings. The position offers city benefits, potential work-from-home days, and a chance to impact New York

Qualifications

• Four-year high school diploma or equivalent approved by a State education department, or completion of eleventh grade with one year of health-related or clerical experience.
• Education/experience equivalent to above, with eleventh grade completed.

Responsibilities

• Travel to elementary schools to conduct vision screening for Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 1st Grade students.
• Screen children using distance vision, hyperopia, near vision, color and fusion tests.
• Assist in setting up and breaking down vision screening equipment.
• Prepare referral forms for parents of children who failed screenings.
• Assist in follow-up, obtaining updated phone numbers from schools for children who fail the screening.
• Maintain and transport equipment to and from schools.
• Record, tally and enter screening data into ASHR.
• Communicate with children and staff in a courteous manner; assist screening team leader as directed.
• Other duties as assigned; citywide travel may be required.

Education

High school diploma or educational equivalent (or completion of eleventh grade with one year health-related or clerical experience)

Job description

ONLY PERMANENT EMPLOYEES IN THE TITLE AND THOSE THAT ARE REACHABLE ON THE PUBLIC HEALTH ASSISTANT (SCHOOL HEALTH) CIVIL SERVICE LIST ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY.

Division/Program Summary

The Division of Family and Child Health, Office of School Health (OSH) Vision Program provides mandated vision screening services to Pre-K, kindergarten and first grade students throughout the five boroughs of New York City. The Vision Program is partnered with Warby Parker, a manufacturer and retailer of prescription eyeglasses. Warby Parker provides free eyeglass to students who fails the vision screenings.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Team Leader, the Public Health Assistant will travel throughout the 5 boroughs of New York City to conduct vision screening on students assigned to Public, Non-Public and Charter Schools.

Job Duties And Responsibilities

• Travel to Elementary Schools to conduct vision screening for Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and 1st Grade students.
• Screen children using the distance vision, hyperopia, near vision, color and fusion test.
• Assist in setting up and breaking down vision screening equipment.
• Prepare referral forms to parents of children who failed screenings.
• Assist in follow-up, getting updated phone numbers from schools for children who fail the screening.
• Maintain and transport equipment to and from schools.
• Communicate to children and staff in a courteous manner and assist screening team leader as directed.
• Record, tally and enter screening data accurately into ASHR.
• Other duties as assigned by Program.
• City Wide travel and flexibility with location of assignment may be required based on programmatic needs.

Why You Should Work For Us

• 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.

PUBLIC HEALTH ASSISTANT (SCHOO - 81815

Minimum Qualifications

• A four year high school diploma or its educational equivalent approved by a State’s Department of Education or a recognized accrediting organization; or
• Completion of eleventh grade of high school, and one year of full-time satisfactory experience performing health-related or clerical duties.
• Education and/or experience that is equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must have completed the eleventh grade of high school.

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.