Special Assistant, Bureau of Queens Neighborhood Health

Job description

The Center for Health Equity & Community Wellness (CHECW) seeks to eliminate racial and other inequities resulting in premature mortality. With an unwavering grounding in history and structural analysis. CHECW works to increase visibility of the harm perpetuated by centuries of racist, socially unjust policy while pushing towards 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 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 why they can do to better address racial health gaps and improve health outcomes for all New Yorkers. CHECW launched a new Bureau of Queens Neighborhood Health in 2026 following initial funding for work in Queens. New York City Health Department seeks a Special Assistant to join the newly-established Bureau of Queens Neighborhood Health. The Bureau will contribute to the larger Neighborhood Health Strategy and complement the work of the other Bureaus of Neighborhood Health in Brooklyn, Harlem, and the Bronx. Reporting into the Assistant Commissioner the Special Assistant will manage coordination of performance and planning activities including, but not limited to: bureau reporting, agendas and meeting notes, requests made to the bureau and/or the Assistant Commissioner, and Queens Neighborhood Health priority projects. The ideal candidate should be able to work in a fast-paced environment, apply critical thinking skills, and digest, interpret, and respond to information quickly. The Special Assistant should also have a keen interest in developing and applying an anti-racist and racial equity lens. The Special Assistant will work collaboratively with other members of the office, including with the Office of the Deputy Commissioner. This role will primarily work in Jamaica, Queens; however, the position will be initially assigned to Long Island City, Queens at least one day per week while renovations are underway at the Jamaica location. DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO: - Work closely with members of the Bureau of Queens Neighborhood Health team, ensuring seamless support for daily tasks, meetings, reports, and activities, as well as high-priority projects. - Assist with and conduct assigned research, literature reviews, and memos, including work on the application anti-racist public health practice and neighborhood health strategies to best meet the needs of Jamaica community. - Liaise with the Deputy Commissioner’s team, including working closely with staff supporting division operations, policy, press, communications, and racial equity efforts. - Coordinate and manage requests across the Bureau and build collaborative relationships across the division. - Maintain an up-to date knowledge base on critical issues in public health, chronic disease prevention and management, place-based work, community engagement, bridging public health and health care, and social determinants of health, including research, policy, and programmatic interventions. - Coordinate and lead staff across the Bureau to create, refine, format, proofread, and organize deliverables, metrics, and reports, applying a racial equity lens to documents in review. - Manage and/or lead special projects at the request of the Assistant Commissioner, as needed. - Organize bureau activities, including staff meetings and guest speakers. - Attend meetings and events on behalf of the Assistant Commissioner, as requested. - Maintain and improve upon organizational systems to manage information flow within the Bureau PREFERRED SKILLS: Excellent interpersonal, collaborative and team skills. Exceptional written and oral communication skills. Keen attention to detail. Ability to work independently and exercise a high degree of initiative, apply project management strategies, accomplish tasks and solve problems. Experience and ability to critically review and assess the scientific literature. Keen ability to prioritize and handle multiple assignments. Comfort and competence with data interpretation and reporting. Experience and comfort applying a racial equity lens 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 () - 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 or 347-396-6549. CITY RESEARCH SCIENTIST - 21744 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. 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.