Public Health Epidemiologist II

The Office of Chief Medical Examiner investigates cases of persons who die within New York City from criminal violence, by accident, by suicide, suddenly when in apparent health, when unattended by a physician, in a correctional facility or in any suspicious or unusual manner or where an application is made pursuant to law for a permit to cremate a body of a person.

The core values of CARES guide our work for communities and inform our behavior toward each other and all those we serve.

- Commitment: Dedicated to the mission at all times
- Accountability: Responsible to each other and the community
- Resilience: Adapt in the face of adversity
- Excellence: Achieve and maintain the highest quality
- Service: Innovate to meet evolving needs

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Drug Intelligence & intervention Group (DIIG) at OCME was created for the joint purpose of:

1. Tracking suspected and confirmed overdose deaths.
2. Providing public sector leaders with timely and actionable information about fatal overdoses, and
3. Providing direct support to family and friends of overdose victims in NYC.

DIIG Conducts public health surveillance of overdose, collecting and leveraging data before and after OCME has determined the cause and manner of death. Towards this end, DIIG is responsible for timely and accurate identification of suspected overdose cases and monitoring and reporting overdose trends. DIIG also plans and facilitates inter-agency collaboration through a citywide initiative called RxStat by planning and hosting monthly interdisciplinary meetings on overdose prevention. These RxStat meetings, including the quarterly OCME-led Overdose Fatality Review meeting, are attended by representatives from over 30 different local, state, and federal agencies.

The Epidemiologist II will play a key role in the collection, analysis, and dissemination of epidemiologic and programmatic data for OCME. They will lead and support various surveillance, research, and program evaluation projects, working closely with DIIG colleagues, other city and state agencies, and external research partners to:

- Analyze large administrative datasets using SAS, PowerBI, and excel to identify patterns, trends, and associations related to overdose deaths
- Design reports, data visualizations, and dashboards to effectively communicate information to stakeholders with varying levels of technical expertise
- Develop and implement data quality control procedures to ensure accuracy and reliability of epidemiological analyses
- Provide technical assistance and training to other staff on data analysis methods and SAS programming
- Response to ad hoc data requests by conducting rapid analyses and assessments to provide agency leadership and partners with data-drive insights
- Collaborate with internal and external researchers on the development of academic publications using OCME overdose-related data
- Create and improve program evaluation tools to track DIIG engagement with overdose bereaved individuals, working closely with DIIG Deputy Director and DIIG Social Workers

NOTE:

Probationary Period
Appointments to this position are subject to a minimum probationary period of one year.

SPECIAL NOTE:

- Selected candidates will be required to provide a DNA sample by swabbing.
- This position has been identified as “essential.” During emergency events, “essential” positions may require 24-hour availability.

WORK AUTHORIZATION:

Authorization to work in the Unites States is required for this position. Office of Chief Medical Examiner does not provide sponsorship for international employees for visa applications, extensions, or status changes, including STEM/OPT visas. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that they meet all qualifying requirements for this position at the time of application.

***Please note that only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted for this position. FINAL APPOINTMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT & BUDGET APPROVAL.***

To Apply:

Please submit resume and cover letter to nyc.gov/ocmecareers Job ID#783636

PUBLIC HEALTH EPIDEMIOLOGIST - 51181

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.

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.