Job Description

ONLY PERMANENT EMPLOYEES IN THE TITLE AND THOSE WHO ARE REACHABLE ON THE PUBLIC HEALTH EPIDEMIOLOGIST CIVIL SERVICE LIST ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY.

The mission of the Bureau of Immunization (BOI) is to prevent the occurrence and transmission of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) through comprehensive immunization programs. BOI promotes immunization across the lifespan from infancy through adulthood, works to eliminate disparities in vaccination coverage through data evaluation and support of equitable vaccination services, and actively responds to VPD outbreaks to mitigate their spread and impact on communities. The BOI surveillance unit is responsible for conducting surveillance of measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella, and invasive pneumococcal disease in children aged less than 5 years and assuring the institution of control measures and outbreak response. The surveillance unit is also responsible for the management and analysis of surveillance data and monitoring the impact of new vaccines.

The Surveillance Supervisor will work under the supervision of the VPD Surveillance Unit Chief in BOI and oversee the Public Health Advisors who conduct intake, assign new cases, and perform case and contact investigations of suspected VPDs. The PHEII will provide guidance for investigations and coordinate testing with the Public Health Laboratory (PHL). They will ensure timely and accurate documentation of case and contact investigations in the surveillance data, Maven.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
- The Public Health Epidemiologist (PHE) II will work under the supervision of the surveillance Unit Chief in BOI.
- Oversee the Public Health Advisors (PHAs) who conduct intake, assign new cases, and perform case and contact investigations of suspected VPDs.
- Keep abreast of the status of all ongoing case and contact investigations, providing guidance for investigations and coordinating testing with the Public Health Laboratory (PHL).
- Communicate the status of all urgent cases to the Unit Chief.
- Monitor cases received in surveillance database (Maven), to ensure complete identification of VPDs.
- Review laboratory reports for suspected VPD cases and lab-related database workflows daily.
- Ensure that PHAs elicit and document all potential settings of exposure (e.g., workplace, school, healthcare facility) and assist the unit with control measures.
- Support managing Maven system to monitor quality of data, perform data entry, and data cleaning.
- Create, receive, and clean electronic data files for importation into Maven.
- Support outbreak investigations and response, including monitoring case management workflows and reports in Maven.
- Coordinate with public health officials in other US health jurisdictions to ensure case management.
- Draft the monthly surveillance unit report.
- Supervise Public Health Advisors and ensure adequate staff coverage for daily case management workflows.
- Support surveillance, data management, and research activities under the supervision of the Unit Chief.
- Participate in Agency-wide public health response activities as assigned
- Participate in other BOI and Agency activities as needed and assigned.

Preferred Skills:
- Master's degree from an accredited college or university with a specialization in Public Health.
- Experience conducting surveillance case investigations in public health practice.
- Excellent computer skills including MS Excel, MS Word, and Maven.
- Experience in creating and editing basic workflows and reports in Maven.
- Basic skills in statistical software, e.g., SAS.
- Excellent organizational skills, efficiency, and ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills

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.

PUBLIC HEALTH EPIDEMIOLOGIST - 51181

Qualifications

1. A master’s degree in public health or epidemiology from an accredited college or university with a minimum of 12 graduate credits in epidemiology; or

2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university plus two years of full-time paid experience as a health professional in a position which requires data collection and the reading and interpretation of medical charts and medical information in support of surveillance and epidemiologic investigations.

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.