Public Health Advisor

About the role

The Division of Disease Control’s mission is to safeguard the health of New Yorkers through identification, surveillance, treatment, control, and prevention of infectious diseases. The Bureau of Hepatitis, HIV, and Sexually Transmitted Infections (BHHS) focuses on ending transmission, illness, stigma, and inequities related to viral hepatitis, HIV, and sexually transmitted infections. NYC has the largest and most diverse HIV epidemic in the United States, requiring accurate surveillance data to guide public health decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Conduct field investigations and follow-up of potential cases of HIV/AIDS as assigned in a professional and collaborative manner. Regular travel within 5 boroughs of NYC is required.
• Collect data through medical chart abstractions and ensure that the data collected is complete and accurate.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with assigned providers and facilities and must maintain communication with key contacts and updates the program for changes to the facility.
• Conduct routine match reviews as assigned and in a timely fashion. Matches must be completed with attention to detail.
• Collect Provider Report Forms (PRFs) from medical providers and process the forms according to protocol. Check PRFs for completion and train providers in correct procedures regarding reporting.
• Maintain understanding of all data collection processes and instruments.
• Attend surveillance staff meetings with public health investigators and supervisors and contribute to surveillance unit meetings, in particular by communicating surveillance data collection issues and challenges to the wider group of the unit.
• Perform administrative duties to support the operation of the Surveillance Unit as assigned by supervisor or leadership. Administrative duties may include staffing phone desk.
• Participate in special investigations acutely related to collecting data on the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on HIV epidemiology and mortality.
• Attend all mandatory meetings.

Qualifications

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college, including or supplemented by twelve semester credits in health education, or in health, social or biological sciences;
• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college, and six months of full-time satisfactory experience in a health promotion or disease intervention/prevention program, performing one or more of the following: interviewing, conducting field investigations, assessing health risks, making referrals, or collecting and analyzing epidemiological data;
• A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent, and four years of full-time satisfactory experience as described in "2" above;
• Education and/or experience equivalent to "1", "2" or "3" above. Undergraduate college credit can be substituted for experience on the basis of 30 semester credits from an accredited college for one year of full-time experience. However, all candidates must have a four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent, and either twelve semester credits as described in "1" above or six months of experience as described in "2" above.
• To be assigned to Assignment Level II, candidates must have, in addition to meeting the minimum qualification requirements listed above, at least one year of experience as a Public Health Adviser, Assignment Level I, or at least one additional year of experience as described in Qualification Requirement "2" above.

Skills

• Experience conducting surveillance case investigations in public health practice, specifically medical chart review.
• Excellent interpersonal, research, written and verbal communication skills, and outstanding organizational skills.
• Proficiency in using various computer programs and databases, and experience working in MS Office (Word, MS Excel).
• Ability to work professionally with a diverse staff of public health investigators, epidemiologists, analysts, as well as medical providers and personnel at facilities where data collection will occur.

Why work for us

Benefits: City employees are entitled to unmatched benefits such as:

• a premium-free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10K annually, per a 2024 assessment.
• additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position’s associated union/benefit fund.
• a public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement.
• a tax-deferred savings program.
• 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.

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.

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.

Residency Requirement

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.

Additional Information

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.