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 Bureau of Division Management & Systems Coordination (DMSC) leads administrative, surveillance, informatics, preparedness, policy, communications, community engagement, and racial equity and social justice activities for the Division and guides the strategic use of Division resources to advance innovative and effective policies and programs.

The Division is seeking someone to fill the Special Assistant position reporting to the Deputy Commissioner of Disease Control. The Special Assistant will manage the coordination of operations and activities including but not limited to division reporting, agendas and meeting notes, requests made to the bureaus, and Deputy Commissioner priority projects.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:

Reporting to the Deputy Commissioner, the Special Assistant's duties will also include:
- Work closely with the Deputy Commissioner to track priority projects and tasks.
- Coordinate and develop/lead Division-wide communications and activities.
- Work closely with the Deputy Commissioner and colleagues across the Division of Disease Control and the Health Department to ensure seamless coordination of meetings and presentations, and track follow-ups as needed.
- Synthesize, evaluate, and interpret Division-wide activities, priorities, data, and research to develop materials for meetings and presentations, including agendas, talking points, and PowerPoint presentations.
- Coordinate and prepare required/requested reports as needed; maintain records to track and report on progress over time.
- Conduct assigned research, literature reviews, memos, and other summaries.
- Maintain an awareness of research and other developments across all relevant infectious disease areas and incorporate into presentations, talking points, meeting agendas, and other materials as needed.
- Support the Deputy Commissioner when serving as emergency response Incident Commander; participate in emergency response meetings, work with the Planning Section and Operations Section leadership to monitor progress on response objectives, and assist with internal and external reports, presentations, agendas, and talking points.
- Other duties as assigned.

PREFERRED SKILLS:
Strong organizational and project management skills; Effective communication and writing skills; Ability to work independently and exercise a high degree of initiative and sound judgment to accomplish tasks and solve matters with minimal guidance; Ability/willingness to take on and successfully manage multiple projects simultaneously.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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Special Assistant to the Deputy Commissioner, Division Management & Systems Coordination