Public Health Epidemiologist II – COVID-19 Initiative, Bureau of Communicable Diseases

Established in 1805, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (the NYC Health Department) is the oldest and largest health department in the country. We strive to protect and promote the health of all New Yorkers. Our core values are science, equity and compassion, with a vision to be a city where all New Yorkers can realize their full health potential, regardless of who they are, where they are from or where they live.

As a world-renowned public health agency responding to urgent public health crises — from New York City’s yellow fever outbreak in 1822, to the COVID-19 pandemic — we are a hub for public health innovation, expertise and programs for accessing services. We have a vast impact on national public policy, including 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 racial justice work, among others.

Our 6,000-plus team members bring extraordinary diversity to the work of public health. True to our value of equity, the NYC Health Department has been a leader in recognizing and dismantling racism’s impacts on the health of New Yorkers and beyond. In 2021, the NYC Board of Health declared racism as a public health crisis. With commitment to dismantle systems that perpetuate inequitable power, opportunity and access, the NYC Health Department continues to work in and with communities and community organizations to increase their access to health services and decrease avoidable health outcomes.

The New York City Health Department is as varied as the city it serves. Our 6,000-plus team members bring an extraordinary array of languages, cultures and experiences to bear on the work of public health. Our diversity fuels creativity because all perspectives are heard and valued.

Program Description:

The Bureau of Communicable Diseases performs case investigations for over 73 infectious diseases or conditions and conducts outbreak investigations in New York City.

Duties will include but not be limited to:

Supervise a team of staff who conduct disease surveillance, epidemiological investigation, and intervention activities for reportable diseases and outbreaks.

Perform these tasks as needed as well as supervise staff who will:

• Conduct reportable disease case investigations.
• Conduct outbreak investigations.
• Perform medical chart reviews and abstractions.
• Conduct patient and provider telephone interviews.
• Conduct telephone triage.
• Provide patient and public education.
• Conduct case and contact management.
• Conduct contact tracing.
• Perform data collection and analysis.
• Evaluate risk factors or high-risk transmission settings.
• Assist with communicable disease prevention initiatives.
• Participate in the DOHMH’s Surveillance and Epidemiology Emergency Response Section’s preparedness and response activities for the Surveillance & Investigations Unit.

1. A master’s degree in public health or epidemiology from an accredited college or university with a minimum of 12 graduate credits in epidemiology; or
2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university plus two years of full-time paid experience as a health professional in a position which requires data collection and the reading and interpretation of medical charts and medical information in support of surveillance and epidemiologic investigations.