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 EH Division Office, led by the Deputy Commissioner, focuses on crosscutting work including policy development, advancing racial equity, strategic communications and outreach, and program innovation. Reporting to the Senior Director of Policy and Strategic Initiatives, the Strategic Initiatives Manager will play a pivotal role in shaping the Division's policy strategy and new high-profile initiatives. They'll manage high priority projects, solve complex problems, and operationalize the Division's policy strategy. DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO: -Manage high-profile, complex, priority projects, including cross-bureau and cross-agency initiatives -Operationalize the Division's policy strategy, in collaboration with Bureau leadership, and advise on policy and legislative proposals to ensure alignment with regulatory requirements and program operations -Identify opportunities for integration, innovation, and improvement across the Division to help meet division and agency goals and priorities -Advise staff, including leadership on data methods and the synthesis and presentation of data -Write reports, guidance, and presentations in plain language for non-technical audiences -Represent the Division in internal and external meetings to foster partnership and collaboration PREFERRED SKILLS: -Proven ability to build and maintain effective relationships across programs and with external partners -Strong problem-solving and project management skills, with a solution-oriented mindset -Exceptional interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills -Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet tight deadlines -Ability to develop thoughtful leadership around specific topics or emerging areas -Experience in policy, research, data analysis, and applying a racial equity and social justice lens on projects -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. 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.