Special Assistant, First Deputy Commissioner

NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Loan Forgiveness

Health insurance

Public-sector pension

Job summary

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is seeking a Special Assistant to the First Deputy Commissioner to provide administrative and programmatic support. The role focuses on monitoring key initiatives, coordinating project management, and ensuring timely completion of activities for the FDC.

Responsibilities include preparing reports, briefs, presentations, attending meetings, recording notes, and collaborating with internal teams and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication, research, writing and editing abilities.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships across programs and with external agencies.
• Commitment to anti-racism, social justice and equity.
• Ability to manage a diverse workload in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop or coordinate reports, briefs, presentations, analyses, and updates for the First Deputy Commissioner.
• Prepare prep materials for meetings with talking points, agendas, and presentations.
• Attend meetings with the FDC to record notes and track follow-up items.
• Conduct and summarize research to drive special projects.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across the Department and City to monitor initiatives.
• Represent the Health Department and FDC to internal staff and external partners.

Skills

Organizational skills

Project management

Verbal and written communication

Stakeholder management

Independent and team work

Executive interaction

Education

Master's degree

Doctorate degree

Job description

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.

The First Deputy Commissioner’s Office works across the Health Department to advance key priorities, including advancing public health through addressing affordability.

Position Overview

The Special Assistant to the First Deputy Commissioner (FDC) will provide administrative and programmatic support to the FDC by monitoring the progress of key initiatives and coordinating ongoing project management. In this position, the candidate will ensure that the ongoing activities of the office are well coordinated and completed within established timelines.

Duties Include

• Quickly develop or coordinate the development of reports, briefings, presentations, analyses, and program updates at the request of the FDC
• Coordinate and organize all prep materials for the FDC for both internal and external meetings. This includes developing talking points, agendas, presentations, and maintaining awareness of FDC calendar
• Attend meetings with the FDC to record notes and track follow up items to completion with relevant staff
• Conduct, compile, and summarize research as needed to drive special projects
• Collaborate with key stakeholders across the Department and the City to advance and monitor the progress of key initiatives
• Be an ambassador for the Health Department and FDC office, managing relationships with internal staff and external stakeholders
• Participate in special projects and workgroups as assigned

Preferred Qualifications

• Possesses excellent organizational and project management skills,
• Strong verbal and written communication, research, writing and editing skills
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships across programs and with outside agencies
• Commitment to anti-racism, social justice and equity
• Exceptional prioritization and time management skills with demonstrated ability to manage a diverse and demanding workload in a fast-paced environment
• Embraces ambiguity and has a willingness to “roll up their sleeves”
• A self-starter, comfortable working independently as well as in teams
• Experience working with executives and C-suite leaders

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.

Come join us and help to continue our efforts in making a difference in the lives of all New Yorkers!

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

• 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:

• 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
• 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
• 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.

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.