Job Description

The Center for Health Equity & Community Wellness (CHECW) seeks to eliminate inequities resulting in premature mortality. With an unwavering grounding in history and structural analysis, CHECW works to increase visibility of socially unjust policy while pushing towards redress for the most impacted NYC communities. CHECW addresses inequity across community and healthcare systems in partnership with community, faith-based, and health care organizations. CHECW's work focuses on social determinants of health, including environmental and commercial determinants, and addresses both upstream and downstream factors to improve health and well-being of New Yorkers. CHECW is comprised of the Bureau of Bronx Neighborhood Health, the Bureau of Brooklyn Neighborhood Health, the Bureau of Harlem Neighborhood Health, the Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention, the Bureau of Health Equity Capacity Building, the Bureau of Equitable Health Systems and the Bureau of Finance, Administration and Services.

The division's Deputy Commissioner also serves as the Agency's Chief Equity Officer and oversees Race to Justice, the Agency's internal reform effort to help our staff learn what they can do to better address racial health gaps and improve health outcomes for all New Yorkers. The division's Deputy Commissioner also serves as the Agency's Chief Medical Officer. The Bureau of Bronx Neighborhood Health: Formerly known as the Bronx Neighborhood Health Action Centers, the Bureau of Bronx Neighborhood Health will continue to provide oversight and leadership in programming and planning for the Tremont Neighborhood Health Action Center with satellite programming and planning also occurring at the Morrisania District Health Office. This bureau will support programming, planning and research opportunities to address racial inequities resulting in premature mortality for neighborhoods located in the South Bronx.

The Bureau of Bronx Neighborhood Health seeks to hire a Director of Research, Evaluation & Planning.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:

- Spearhead all Bureau of Bronx Neighborhood Health research and evaluation activities and prepare monthly, quarterly and annual progress and outcomes reports as requested. Work closely with Directors of Research and Evaluation from the other DOHMH Bureaus of Neighborhood Health to plan, implement and align all applicable neighborhood research and evaluation activities.
- Ensure that all research and evaluation projects and products have a health equity focus.
- Design and implement neighborhood-level research projects, prepare IRB applications and internal and external reports of findings.
- Collect, clean, store, and manage data to ensure the accessibility, reliability, and validity of the data.
- Write community reports to share research and evaluation findings with local stakeholders. Write reports, abstracts, and per-review journal articles.
- Collaborate with community-based partners on developing and implementing research projects.
- Represent Bureau of Bronx Neighborhood Health at internal and external data meetings, including as part of data-focused workgroups. Review internal DOHMH documents for scientific validity and an equity perspective as needed. Strengthen internal staff capacity to sue program data in planning efforts, including overseeing the implementation of structured monitoring and reporting for standard Bureau activities.
- Oversee and provide technical assistance and capacity building support to community partners, including expanding community expertise in grant-writing, research, evaluation, and data-driven program planning. Direct and oversee the writing of Bureau grant proposals as needed. Respond to internal and external data requests which may include delegating requests to direct reports.
- Develop and propose a data-driven policy agenda aligned with Bureau programmatic and research efforts. Support community-driven policy efforts relevant to health equity work in the Bronx as appropriate.
- Develop and implement pilot programs and corresponding evaluation addressing emerging or existing health needs in Bronx communities.
- Identify needs and provide opportunities for research staff's professional development.
- Directly supervise a team of 6-8 full time research, evaluation, planning, and capacity building staff, as well as interns.

PREFERRED SKILLS:
Excellent computer skills: Microsoft Excel and Access, Tableau, Partners Connect, and Power Point; SPSS/SAS; nVivo.
Experience in researching and evaluating health inequities and disparities.
Experience working with diverse groups, organizations and various levels of management.
Experience working in disenfranchised neighborhoods.
Experience in community planning and community engagement.
Demonstrated ability to apply data and research to actionable response including policy and program efforts.
Ability to work independently, prioritize and handle multiple assignments.
Interest in or experience in using different data visualization techniques to communicate effectively with multiple types of audiences.

- 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!

CITY RESEARCH SCIENTIST - 21744

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.