Lead Investigator: Complex Investigations, Bureau of Tuberculosis Control

The Division of Disease Control's mission is to safeguard the health of New Yorkers through identification, surveillance, treatment, control, and prevention of infectious diseases, which is achieved through varied and interrelated endeavors of its seven Bureaus. The New York City (NYC) Bureau of Tuberculosis Control (BTBC) aims to prevent the spread of tuberculosis (TB) and eliminate it as a public health problem in NYC. The BTBC Office of Epidemiology reviews and assesses TB exposures in residential and non-residential congregate settings; conducts investigations in these settings to identify, notify and evaluate contacts and assess transmission; analyzes genomic and epidemiologic information to detect, investigate and respond to TB outbreaks; and conducts data analysis and research to describe the epidemiology of TB in NYC and to inform TB prevention and control policy.

We are seeking a Lead Investigator-Complex Investigations to join our Expanded Contact Investigation Team in the Office of Epidemiology. As an integral part of the team, this person will conduct and lead TB case review, data analysis, contact investigation, care coordination and transmission assessment in residential and non-residential congregate settings across NYC. This person will be part of the decision-making process that leads to such investigations, will coordinate closely with external partners across City and State agencies, religious institutions, worksites, schools and other entities to investigate and respond to TB exposures in complex settings, and will be responsible for compiling and analyzing related data. The ideal candidate will be organized, have strong epidemiologic and data skills and attention to detail, enjoys and has experience working with and serving the public, has familiarity with the healthcare system, and can work both independently and as part of a team.

Duties will include but not be limited to

• Review and analyze data in the Health Department’s TB surveillance and case management system.
• Systematically review case records and medical charts to identify and assess potential TB exposures and facilitate timely public health intervention.
• Work closely with the Expanded TB Contact Investigation and TB Case Management teams to review information for highly suspected and confirmed cases and support timely, data-driven and effective individual- and cohort-level TB care and response activities.
• Lead investigation of and response to TB exposures in schools, worksites, religious institutions, congregate housing sites, and other settings in close partnership with external entities
• Assess results of investigations to determine if further expansion or public health intervention is warranted.
• Conduct routine and ad hoc data analysis and present data to internal and external audiences.
• Conduct research.
• Other duties as required.

PREFERRED SKILLS

• Knowledge of infectious disease epidemiology
• Experience working and communicating with patients and/or the public
• Experience working and communicating with clinicians or other health care or social service providers
• Experience conducting epidemiologic investigation. Experience working with congregate settings administration and staff preferred
• Knowledge of core epidemiology principles
• Basic knowledge of infection control practices
• Experience with data review and analysis

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 sahn1@health.nyc.gov or 347-396-6549.

CITY RESEARCH SCIENTIST - 21744

• 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.