Investigator- Complex Investigations, Bureau of Tuberculosis Control

About the role

The Division of Disease Control safeguards the health of New Yorkers through identification, surveillance, treatment, control, and prevention of infectious diseases across its seven Bureaus. The Bureau of Tuberculosis Control (BTBC) works to prevent the spread of tuberculosis (TB) and eliminate it as a public health problem in NYC. This position (City Research Scientist, requisition 21744) sits within BTBC and supports data-driven TB surveillance, case management, contact investigation, and outbreak response.

Responsibilities

• Review and analyze data in the Health Department’s TB surveillance and case management system.
• Collaborate with BTBC Expanded TB Contact Investigation and TB Case Management teams to review information for highly suspected and confirmed cases, supporting timely, data-driven individual- and cohort-level TB care and response activities.
• Lead investigation of and response to TB exposures in schools, worksites, religious institutions, congregate housing sites, and other settings in close partnership with external entities.
• Support development and implementation of coordinated, multi-faceted, data-driven, and culturally competent public health interventions to prevent and interrupt TB transmission, increase awareness of TB and TB risk, and address barriers to care in high-risk communities and during outbreaks.
• Work with BTBC epidemiology staff to evaluate public health interventions.
• Support research activities.
• Perform other duties as required.

Preferred Skills

• Knowledge of infectious disease epidemiology
• Experience working and communicating with patients and/or the public
• Experience working and communicating with clinicians or other health care or social service providers
• Experience conducting epidemiologic investigation
• Knowledge of core epidemiology principles
• Basic knowledge of infection control practices
• Experience with data review and analysis
• Experience with structured interviews, medical terminology, and conducting medical chart reviews
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to work in a team environment
• Working knowledge of Microsoft suite (MS Word, Excel, etc.)

Qualifications

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.

Assignment Level II and above requires one of the following:

• 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
• 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
• Education and/or experience equivalent to the 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 the second bullet.

Two years as a City Research Scientist Level I can be substituted for the experience required above.

Benefits

• Loan Forgiveness: Eligibility for federal/state loan forgiveness and repayment assistance programs (e.g., Public Service Loan Forgiveness at studentaid.gov/pslf/).
• Health Insurance: Premium-free health insurance plan saving employees over $10K annually (per 2024 assessment); additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position’s associated union/benefit fund.
• Retirement: Public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement, plus a tax-deferred savings program.
• Wellness: Robust Worksite Wellness Program offering resources and opportunities to stay healthy.
• Work From Home: Depending on the position, up to two days per week may be worked from home.
• Job Security: Greater job security compared to private sector employment.

Additional Details

• Probationary Period: Appointments are subject to a minimum probationary period of one year.
• Residency Requirement: New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. City employees in certain titles with two continuous years of service may be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County — discuss with the agency representative at interview.