JOB DESCRIPTION

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, which is achieved through varied and interrelated endeavors of its seven Bureaus. The Bureau of Division Management & Systems Coordination (DMSC) leads administrative, surveillance, informatics, preparedness, policy, communications, community engagement, and racial equity and social justice activities for the Division and guides the strategic use of Division resources to advance innovative and effective policies and programs.
Position Summary: DMSC seeks a Community Health Liaison to work with Division of Disease Control (DDC) programs and other Health Department divisions as necessary to promote the health of the Orthodox Jewish community and assist in disease outbreak prevention and response related to vaccine-preventable disease, neonatal Herpes simplex virus, enteric viruses, and other preventable diseases. DDC seeks a community coordinator that is versed and has strong connections to the community, with linguistic skills in Yiddish and other languages spoken by the community, to assist in key stakeholder communication and outreach. The successful candidate will report to the Director of Community Health Promotion.

PREFERRED SKILLS:

• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal skills
• Experience in conducting community outreach and engagement
• Experience leading community meetings and conducting presentations
• Experience working with Haredi communities and knowledge of such communities
• Linguistic aptitude in languages spoken in the Orthodox Jewish Haredi community residing in NYC, specifically Yiddish
• The ability to synthesize and integrate scientific data and guidance into community responses and public messaging, including in delivery of community presentations
• Excel at public speaking to a variety of audiences, including community groups, faith-based leaders, and clinical providers

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!
  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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties described above; or
2. High school graduation or equivalent and six years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties as described above; or
3. Education and/or experience which is equivalent to “1” or “2” above. However, all candidates must have at least one year of experience as described in “1” above.

• Assist Disease Control bureaus in outbreak prevention and response and in disease investigations.
• Work with the Orthodox Jewish community to promote or co-develop health messaging and public health interventions or initiatives.
• Participate in outreach to medical providers, religious institutions, professional societies, community groups, and community members, including by attending health fairs and other events, distributing educational materials, and giving in-person and virtual presentations on relevant health topics.
• Maintain and grow the Haredi Health Coalition, which provides consultation and advisement on community outreach and engagement.
• Manage social work internship program that utilizes social work interns from Yeshiva University to provide relevant, culturally appropriate services to the OJC
• Assist in drafting and provide perspectives on the cultural responsiveness of NYC Health Department educational and promotional materials.
• Collaborate with NYC Health Department community engagement and outreach staff on projects that address equity related barriers to care and prevention, including Race to Justice
• Collaborate with other Citywide programming related to faith-based initiatives that may cross-over to or impact Orthodox Jewish communities.
• Participate in required activities for emergency preparedness.
• Assure that community-led work programming and initiatives are aligned with Division public health efforts.
• Perform the above activities with other priority populations and communities, as necessary.