Congregate Residential Settings Investigator, Bureau of Communicable Diseases

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO: • Notify congregate settings of or respond to inquiries regarding cases or outbreaks of infectious diseases in their settings. Provide infection prevention and control guidance, resources and risk communication tailored to individual congregate settings.

• Conduct site visits to guide or implement public health interventions, facilitate communication, or assess infection prevention and control needs, as appropriate.
• Develop and maintain relationships with partners in the NYC Health Department and other city and NY State agencies who oversee or work with congregate settings. Maintain updated points of contact for these partners and for NYC congregate facilities.
• Coordinate respiratory virus testing at facilities when testing resources are available and if requested by facilities.
• Conduct data cleaning and quality assurance related to documentation of congregate residential setting outbreak or case investigations as needed.
• Plan and participate in education and outreach regarding prevention of communicable diseases, with a focus on congregate settings. Create or review guidance or outreach materials (e.g. flyers, presentations).
• Provide investigation and outreach support to other BCD units, including the Respiratory Pathogen and Community Outreach and Health Education Units, as needed.
• Conduct communicable disease investigation, surveillance, and response. Interview patients, contacts, health care providers, and congregate setting points of contact. Conduct medical chart reviews and abstractions.
• Triage and respond to telephone inquiries regarding infectious disease issues.
• Participate in the Health Department’s Incident Command System to support emergency response activities as needed.

PREFERRED SKILLS:

• Experience with communicable disease investigation and response, including conducting structured interviews and medical chart reviews; knowledge of infection prevention and control principles and practices; familiarity with medical terminology
• Experience working in or with congregate settings
• Experience in health education and outreach, including giving presentations
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Proficient with word processing and spreadsheets
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

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 [email protected] or 347-396-6549.

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.