Research and Evaluation Analyst, Bureau of Epidemiology Services

Praxy; New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department) is seeking a City Research Scientist to lead analytic projects assessing how supportive housing affects health and equity. The role involves coordinating data matching with engineers, developing data storage solutions, and documenting governance processes.

Candidates should hold advanced degrees and have substantial health research experience, with strong ability to translate findings into policy and program

Qualifications

• Master's degree in public health or related field required.
• Doctorate degree in physical, biological, environmental or social science with relevant research experience preferred.
• Experience with data matching and epidemiologic research is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Apply analytic, statistical, and programming skills to research and evaluation projects.
• Co-lead data matching and data management with data engineers on multi-agency projects.
• Develop and manage database storage and data transformation tasks.
• Document data matching, governance, and management processes.
• Co-author peer‑reviewed manuscripts on health outcomes and housing impact.

Skills

Health research

Causal inference

Data science

Team collaboration

Data matching

Medicaid data

Supportive housing

Education

Master's degree in public health or related field

Doctorate in physical/biological/environmental/social science

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 comprehensive view of city needs is needed to enhance public health action and improve health outcomes for the most vulnerable New Yorkers.

The CPHDS is working to strengthen citywide population health surveillance by be ter linking public health, healthcare, and social service data to fully characterize and improve the health of New Yorkers.

The Bureau of Epidemiology Services (BES) collects, analyzes and communicates data to monitor and improve the health of New Yorkers.

BES provides statistical and analytic support for public health surveillance, epidemiologic research, and program evaluations at DOHMH.

It also promotes strengthening internal capacity for research and evaluation through consultation and regular trainings for DOHMH staff.

BES plays a pivotal role for initiating and performing inter and intra agency collaboration projects, including acquiring data, developing study designs and methodologies, analyzing data, and disseminating findings.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:

• Apply analytic, statistical, and programming skills for the design, planning and implementation of research and evaluation projects focused on the impact of supportive housing on health and equity outcomes.
• Co-lead data matching and data management processes in partnership with data engineers for complex, multi-agency projects using efficient probabilistic matching algorithms. Work with analysts and data stewards in other bureaus and agencies to facilitate and conduct data matching and quality control activities.
• Develop database storage systems and periodically upload, transform, and manage data for team projects.
• Carefully document data matching, management, and governance processes.
• Co-author peer-reviewed manuscripts related to the impact of supportive housing on health outcomes.
• Interpret research findings to inform policy and programmatic decision making.
• Prepare and present knowledge products (such as slides, briefs) to a range of internal and external audiences.
• Participate in data- and methods-related technical assistance to agency projects as needed.

PREFERRED SKILLS:

• Five years of health research or program evaluation experience.
• Experience in applying causal inference and/or data science methodologies to complex public health challenges.
• Proven ability to develop innovative and data-driven solutions to complex public health and data challenges and contextualize findings within theoretical frameworks.
• Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with teammates, partners, and subject matter experts by fostering teamwork and collaboration.
• Familiarity in data matching for administrative datasets.
• Experience working with Medicaid claims or SPARCS data.
• Familiarity with supportive housing

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 [email removed] or [phone removed].

CITY RESEARCH SCIENTIST - 21744

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.
2. 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.
3. NOTE:Probationary PeriodAppointments to this position are subject to a minimum probationary period of one year.

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.