Special Projects Manager, Bureau of Data Technology & Strategy

DEPT OF HEALTH/MENTAL HYGIENE; New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Loan Forgiveness

Health Insurance

Work From Home Policy

Job Security

Job summary

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department) seeks a City Research Scientist to lead integrative data projects across public health domains. You will supervise junior analysts, manage project plans, and collaborate on cutting-edge data technology initiatives to improve health outcomes for New Yorkers.

The role requires strong leadership in a decentralised environment, experience with SQL, R, Python, and a commitment to equity and data-driven decision making.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in public health, epidemiology, or related field.
• Doctorate in a physical/biological/environmental or social science is acceptable with supervisory experience.
• Two years as City Research Scientist I can substitute for some requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead the integration of electronic case reporting, health information exchange, and laboratory data for chronic conditions.
• Write and present proposals to pursue resources and opportunities to support agency work.
• Manage junior data analysts and quality assurance staff.
• Manage technology project plans, timelines, tasks, and budgets.
• Collaborate with agency staff on innovative data technology projects.
• Prepare meeting agendas, presentations, diagrams, and lead meetings with internal agency teams.
• Implement and test novel data processing and analysis pipelines using agency approved software.
• Implement innovative data technology projects.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Skills

Staff management

Public health experience

Data governance

Data integration

Adaptability

Programming languages

Education

Master's degree in public health or related field

Doctorate degree in physical/biological/environmental/social science

Tools

SQL

R

Python

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 better linking public health, healthcare, and social service data to fully characterize and improve the health of New Yorkers. The Bureau of Data Technology and Strategy (DTS) is dedicated to the development of the Enterprise Data Platform (EDP) and is home to data strategy, data governance, data product management, data engineering, and data science capabilities. The EDP is a cloud-based data repository, data catalog and analytics environment that supports public health analysis, program delivery, and decision-making at scale.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:

• Lead the integration of electronic case reporting, health information exchange, and laboratory data for chronic conditions.
• Write and present proposals to pursue resource and opportunities to support agency work.
• Manage junior data analysts and quality assurance staff.
• Manage technology project plans, timelines, tasks, and budgets.
• Collaborate with agency staff on innovative data technology projects.
• Prepare meeting agendas, presentations, diagrams, and lead meetings with internal agency teams.
• Implement and test novel data processing and analysis pipelines using agency approved software.
• Implement innovative data technology projects.
• Other duties, as assigned.

PREFERRED SKILLS:

• Experience managing staff.
• Experience in a public health environment.
• Experience managing complex relationships in a highly diverse and decentralized environment.
• Ability to propose new work streams that support and improve public health practice.
• Ability to adapt and work through uncertainty to achieve a goal.
• Hands-on experience with modern programming languages used for data, such as SQL, R, and Python.
• The ideal candidate would constantly learn, grow, and help champion new data technologies, to create and improve the agency processes that improve the health of the NYC population

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.

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.

Minimum Qualifications

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.
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.

NOTE:
Probationary Period
Appointments to this position are subject to a minimum probationary period of one year.

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.

CITY RESEARCH SCIENTIST - 21744