Job Description

Division/Program Summary Description:

The Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Use Prevention, Care and Treatment (BADUPCT) works to reduce morbidity and mortality related to alcohol and substance use among New Yorkers through contracting and oversight of prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery and support services; policy analysis and development; epidemiology, surveillance, and evaluation; development and dissemination of treatment and management guidelines; harm reduction initiatives; public and provider outreach and education; and community involvement and interagency collaboration.

The Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution Unit (OENDU) develops and implements initiatives to reduce and prevent opioid overdose deaths in New York City. The Unit provides naloxone, training, and technical assistance to over 311 Opioid Overdose Prevention Programs (OOPPs) across New York City. OOPPs provide community-based overdose prevention, recognition, and response education and distribute naloxone directly to community members. DOHMH has its OOPP and provides in-person and virtual overdose prevention training and naloxone via mail-based distribution. In addition, OENDU provides contract management, fiscal, technical, and programmatic support to at least 28 contracted OOPPs.

Position Summary:

The Special Projects Specialist will provide technical assistance and programmatic support to new and ongoing special projects related to opioid overdose prevention and response, naloxone distribution, and community engagement, with the goal of preventing overdose deaths in New York City.

Under general direction from the Special Projects Manager, with wide latitude for independent initiative and judgment, the Special Projects Specialist will:

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and expansion of the Public Health Vending Machine Pilot Initiative, using a research and equity-informed approach.

• Support funded OOPPs by providing technical assistance, and conduct research efforts for the development, implementation, and evaluation of strategies to increase naloxone access in priority settings and neighborhoods.

• Support ongoing research efforts to enhance and expand pharmacy naloxone distribution and engagement.

• Provide technical assistance and programmatic support around community engagement across OENDU projects.

• Collaborate with other OENDU and BADUPCT staff for ongoing development and enhancement of materials and resources aimed at preventing overdose and expanding strategic naloxone distribution efforts.

• Provide support for packing and mailing of naloxone kits and training related materials and maintain appropriate records for all kits and material mailed and dispensed.

• Participate in OENDU meetings, including facilitation on a rotating basis.

• Participate in bureau- and agency-wide activities for advancing racial, gender, and social equity and support efforts to center equity in OENDU’s work.

• Represent OENDU in intra-Bureau and Divisional workgroups and meetings and liaise and present to community coalitions.

• Other duties or tasks may be assigned on an as-needed basis.

Note: This position requires occasional travel throughout New York City.

Preferred Skills:

• Knowledge of substance use and harm reduction practice and theory, including syringe exchange, overdose prevention and education for HIV and Hepatitis C prevention.

• Be able to work independently, have excellent oral and written communication and organizational skills, and be a flexible team player. The candidate will also be detail-oriented with outstanding organizational skills.

• Sensitive to various ethnic, racial, and cultural backgrounds, gender identities, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic conditions.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Access, Outlook, and Word,

• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced, high-volume environment, managing multiple projects and task at once.

Why you should work for us:

• Loan Forgiveness: As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal/state loan forgiveness and repayment assistance programs that lessen your payments or even fully forgive your full balance. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website (https://studentaid.gov/pslf/)

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

o a premium-free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10K annually, per a 2024 assessment.

o additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position’s associated union/benefit fund.

o a public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement.

o a tax-deferred savings program and

o 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.

Come join us and help to continue our efforts in making a difference in the lives of all New Yorkers!

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.

The NYC Health Department is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation to all individuals. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact Sye-Eun Ahn, Director of the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, at sahn1@health.nyc.gov or 347-396-6549.

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.

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.