Healthy Aging Program Coordinator, Bureau of Equitable Health Systems

We are the Center for Health Equity and Community Wellness (CHECW), a bureau within the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). Our mission is to eliminate racial and other inequities that result in premature mortality. Grounded in history and structural analysis, CHECW partners with community, faith-based, and healthcare organizations to address inequity across community and healthcare systems.

The Bureau of Equitable Health Systems (BEHS) is DOHMH’s healthcare systems bureau. We apply policy, evidence, and practical expertise to improve equity in healthcare delivery at the individual, organizational, and systems levels. Within BEHS, the Health Care Access & Policy (HCAP) Office drives policy, programming, and research to maximize health insurance coverage and increase access to affordable, high-quality, coordinated primary care, with a strong focus on health equity.

The Healthy Aging Unit, part of HCAP, builds support for older adults and their caregivers while strengthening the NYC Health Department’s ability to monitor and respond to the health needs of older adults. This role offers an exciting opportunity for a public health professional interested in disease prevention, healthcare policy, health insurance (Medicare/Medicaid), and research.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to strategizing, developing, implementing, and evaluating program initiatives that support the health of older adults and address intersectional inequities.
• Assist in research and quantitative data analysis on public health initiatives, including health insurance, and review relevant literature.
• Disseminate information and serve as a liaison between the Healthy Aging Unit and other agency programs; assist with troubleshooting.
• Coordinate with other city agencies to align priorities related to Healthy Aging.
• Collaborate with policy-focused staff across the agency to analyze and interpret aging-related policies and health insurance policies for older adults.
• Coordinate communication efforts with internal and external partners.
• Prepare reports as appropriate.
• Conduct background research and prepare proposals for new programs.
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge base on relevant policy issues, including public health insurance programs, health reform, and transformation initiatives impacting primary care, health insurance coverage, and healthy aging.
• Assist in planning, coordinating, and evaluating educational events, community outreach activities, and Healthy Aging initiatives.
• Maintain and update Healthy Aging contact lists, partner networks, and program resources.
• Identify and coordinate community outreach opportunities and events to support NYC Health Department engagement with older adults.
• Initiate and support special projects as requested by unit leadership.

Requirements

• 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.
• For appointment to higher levels, candidates must have:
  • A doctorate degree 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
  • A master’s degree 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
  • Education and/or experience equivalent to the above, with at least a master’s degree in an appropriate field of specialization and at least two years of experience as described above.
• Two years as a City Research Scientist Level I can substitute for the experience required above.

Skills

• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Outstanding interpersonal and writing skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft applications.
• Knowledge of primary care, Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, and/or healthcare systems.

Benefits

• Premium-free health insurance plan, saving employees over $10,000 annually (per a 2024 assessment).
• Additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position’s associated union/benefit fund.
• Public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement.
• Tax-deferred savings program.
• Robust Worksite Wellness Program offering resources and opportunities to support employee health.
• Potential eligibility for federal/state loan forgiveness and repayment assistance programs (visit U.S. Department of Education’s website for details).

Schedule

• Depending on the position, you may be able to work up to two days per week from home.

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.