Job Description

The Department of Social Services (DSS) is comprised of the administrative units of the NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA) and the Department of Homeless Services (DHS). The City leverages shared services functions across agencies, which results in better day-to-day management and building an integrated mission across agencies. DHS’s mission statement is, together with our not-for-profit partners, to prevent homelessness when possible, address street homelessness, provide safe temporary shelter, and connect New Yorkers experiencing homelessness to suitable housing. The New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) is dedicated to fighting poverty and income inequality by providing New Yorkers in need with essential benefits such as Cash, Food and Rental Assistance as well as Medicaid.

The DSS Medical and Health Services Office aims to improve the health and well-being of individuals who are experiencing homelessness and living in NYC, increase their chances of succeeding in permanent housing and independent living, and decrease morbidity and mortality; and improve food safety, compliance with NYC Food Standards and the overall nutritional status and nutrition knowledge.

Reporting directly to the Department of Social Services Chief Medical Officer, the Healthcare Strategist will develop a programmatic public health research agenda related to the mission of the agency, develop related guidance and interventions, collaborate with other offices at DSS/DHS/HRA, oversee emergency preparedness and response, provide direct consultation, and develop and implement relevant programs.

Customized Assistance Services (CAS)/Medical and Health Services Office is recruiting one (1) City Research Scientist IVA, to function as Healthcare Strategist, who will:

- Provide leadership and general direction to agency personnel in planning, conducting, and
coordinating specific research projects, including healthcare research development and
implementation related to family health primarily: review literature, incident reports, DHS,
Medicaid and SPARCS data to identify key medical and developmental issues among the
population, particularly chronic illnesses among children and families and for communicable
diseases. Develop related grants to obtain new funding for related research projects and
evidence-based interventions.

- Use rigorous scientific methods, collect and analyze large health datasets to elicit critical
information and analytics to identify areas of need and implement and evaluate selected
interventions to improve the physical health of children and families residing in shelter;
use the research products to develop and oversee the provision of topical clinically related
health training to DHS directly-operated and contracted shelter staff including chronic
diseases, infectious diseases and wellness.

- Oversee the development of indicators, tracking system, data management, and complex
data analysis, for data-driven services provision and outcome analysis. Use large datasets,
including Hospital Discharge data (SPARCS) to evaluate outcomes. Develop quality
assurance and quality improvement initiatives, using existing and newly collected data on
the interventions developed above.

- Participate in the DSS health- and public health-related emergency response: plan and
oversee the response to infectious diseases incidents, public health and medical emergencies
and other incidents, serve as one of the healthcare liaisons for disease outbreaks and
emergency planning and response for DSS.

- Liaise with DHS and HRA and their providers and relevant external agencies, including but not
limited to other City agencies (ACS, DOHMH, H+H), State agencies (SDOH, SOMH, OPWDD),
and community health, mental health, and substance use services providers and insurers.

Qualifications

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.