The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's Division of Environmental Health works to prevent and control illness and injury related to environmental and occupational health risks through outreach, education, surveillance, and enforcement. With staff of 1,000, the Division covers a broad range of subject matter, including oversight of environmental investigations, lead poisoning, injury prevention, occupational health, food safety, childcare, radiation control, recreational and drinking water quality, air quality, climate health, vector control, veterinary public health and pest control. The Division of Environmental Health seeks an Assistant Rodentologist for its Bureau of Veterinary and Pest Control Services.
DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
Rat Population
- Monitoring Assist with ongoing surveillance and mapping of rat populations throughout New York City, contributing to data-driven mitigation strategies.
Innovative IPM Strategy Development Team development of Innovative community integrated rodent management strategies, designing and implementing community-integrated rodent management approaches that are sustainable, equitable, and effective.
- Research & Analysis:
- Assist on the rodent control team’s proposed research projects that need to keep pace with the incoming rat behavior research analyzing rat populations and rat management techniques relative to shifts associated the City's new containerization laws. Additional assistance will be essential to address the efficacy of the forthcoming rodent baits designed to replace the previous highly toxic baits of the past two decades.
- Translate findings into actionable improvements for DOHMH PCS field operations and to the environment improvement and quality of life to New York as a whole.
Operational Support & Troubleshooting
- Collaborate with PCS field teams to refine rat management procedures, troubleshoot operational challenges, and enhance service delivery.
Technical Consultation
- Assist in preparing and providing guidance on rodent management updates to internal programs and partnering city agencies, ensuring alignment with best practices and regulatory standards.
Rodent Academy Staff support and participation. Assist with preparation of the Department’s Intensive 3-day Rodent Academy that provides City-specific rat control training to a wide-ranging audience of academics, municipalities, technology teams, and pest professionals on an international scale twice every year.
Staff Education & Support
- Assist in providing on-going education to over 170 Bureau of Veterinary and Pest Control team members as well as multiple training courses each year to the Bureau of Food Safety and Sanitation staff.
- Assist in guiding the Senior Extermination staff on field trials and purchases of the forthcoming more eco-friendly approaches and rodent bait tools and techniques and advise staff on updates/changes to product labels.
Preferred Skills:
- Advanced degree in biology, public health, entomology, wildlife, urban ecology, or a related field preferred
- Demonstrated experience in epidemiology, public health related sciences, or environmental health
- Strong writing, listening, and verbal communication skills
- Comfortability in working out in field scenario’s , surveys addressing rodent occurrences within communities especially as they relate to New York Cities on-going refuse management and reforms.
- Comfortability in co-teaching classes, workshops, both in person and online.
- Ability to work collaboratively within and across departments and with diverse communities
Why you should work for us:
- 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!
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 sahn1@health.nyc.gov or 347-396-6549.
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.
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.
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 City of New York is the most iconic and dynamic city on the planet. With a population of more than 8.4 million people, New York is not only the largest city in the United States — it is the academic, cultural, commercial, and financial capital of the world.
City government is filled with opportunities for talented individuals seeking to improve their communities and make a meaningful difference in the lives of their fellow New Yorkers. Every day, the City’s more than 300,000 employees improve infrastructure, provide vital social services, build technology, protect health and safety, and so much more. Join us today at: http://www1.nyc.gov/jobs
The City of New York offers its employees:
• A chance to build the future of this city. New York City government is at the crossroads of where policy, great ideas, city services, and smart urban planning meet the lives and needs of every day New Yorkers.
• Competitive salary and benefits. Hiring packages include a competitive salary, health benefits, various pension plans, employee assistance programs, and individual retirement accounts.
• Diverse career opportunities. As the largest local government in the United States with more than 40 agencies, the City of New York offers a broad spectrum of opportunities — from education, housing development, and public health to sustainability, economic growth, technology, and emergency management.
• Career Satisfaction. As a City employee, you will have the chance to shape the future of New York City and improve the quality of life for your family, neighbors, and fellow New Yorkers.
• Equal Opportunity and Inclusion. The City of New York is an equal opportunity employer that prohibits discriminatory action against City employees and applicants for employment based on their actual or perceived race, color, national origin, ethnicity alienage, citizenship status, gender, religion, creed and all other protected categories.
