Team Lead: TST for SU & EAU, Bureau of Tuberculosis Control

City of New York; New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene seeks a City Research Scientist to lead the TST Surveillance and Environmental Affairs Units, overseeing TB infection control, staff evaluations, and research on airborne mitigation and environmental controls. You will coordinate with multiple programs and publish findings to advance statewide best practices.

The role oversees TB outbreak investigations, prepares reports, and provides guidance on compliance with JCAHO, CDC, OSHA, PESH, and

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in a relevant physical, biological, environmental science or public health field.
• For Level II+, doctorate with supervisory/research experience or master’s with substantial research experience; two years as City Research Scientist I can substitute.
• Experience in TB/public health research and environmental infection control is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Direct the TST Surveillance Unit and Environmental Affairs Unit to meet scientific objectives.
• Oversee staff, testing programs, and environmental control measures for TB infection prevention.
• Conduct and publish research on environmental TB transmission and mitigation strategies.
• Write technical reports, protocols, and recommendations for safety guidelines.

Skills

Epidemiology

Research design

Written communication

Staff supervision

Education

Master's degree in physical, biological or environmental science or public health

Doctorate in relevant field + supervisory/ research experience

Tools

SPSS

SAS

Job description

The Team Lead for TST (SU & EAU) directs tuberculosis surveillance, environmental infection control, and outbreak prevention strategies across DOH chest centers, shelters, and high-risk facilities. In this role, you will manage a multidisciplinary team of research scientists, epidemiologists, and public health advisors conducting quantitative research on airborne tuberculosis detection, managing employee tuberculin skin testing (TST) programs, and overseeing patient isolation protocols. You will evaluate airborne mitigation technologies such as UVGI, negative pressure, and ACH air-flow systems to recommend compliant products and establish evidence-based safety guidelines. Additionally, you will oversee outbreak investigations, represent the TB Control Program across internal and external committees, and author scientific papers to publish findings and advance environmental infection control practices statewide.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:

• Direct activities and staff of the Tuberculin Skin Testing (TST) Surveillance Unit to meet requirements and fulfill scientific objectives. Ensures that staff in the TST Unit conduct periodic and serial testing of targeted high-risk DOH employees.
• Direct activities and staff of the Environmental Affairs Unit to meet requirements and fulfill scientific objectives.
• Directs respiratory protection fit testing by the TST Unit and the Environmental Affairs Unit for designated staff in BTBC.
• Performs employee evaluations
• Serve as a resource to the BTBC for environmental issues pertaining to TB infection control devices and measures including UVG lamps, negatives air pressure, ventilation, and respiratory prevention.
• Consults on referrals for patients on home isolation
• Provides specialty guidance to Bureau and DOH staff associated with TB outbreaks.
• Directs TB related infection control surveys, evaluation, and assessments.
• Provides recommendations on infection control and the implementation of environmental controls understanding the standards and guidelines set by the Joint Commission of Accreditation of Health Organizations (JCAHO), CDC, OSHA, PESH, and NIOSH.
• Writes technical reports, recommendations, and protocols related to TB transmission.
• Plans and implements protocols to develop effective coordination of efforts of the Program and outside projects.
• Consults and represents the Program with internal and external entities regarding environmental control of tuberculosis and/or related projects, including providing information regarding design, methodology, sampling procedures, skin testing procedures, and technical matters
• Conducts research as indicated, writes papers, and publishes on environmental control of TB

Preferred skills:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Experience in research design and intervention
• Good interpersonal skills
• Published research papers and/or reports
• Experience with SPSS/SAS/Epidemiological Statistical Software

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:
• o a premium-free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10K annually, per a 2024 assessment.
• o additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position’s associated union/benefit fund.
• o a public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement.
• o a tax-deferred savings program and
• o 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.

CITY RESEARCH SCIENTIST - 21744

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.