Field Researcher, Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Use

About the role

The Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Use (BADU) works to close gaps and reduce overall morbidity and mortality related to alcohol and substance use among New Yorkers.

BADU develops, implements, and evaluates interventions and prevention strategies through contracting of treatment, recovery and support services; policy analysis and development; epidemiology and surveillance; dissemination of treatment and management guidelines; harm reduction initiatives; public and provider outreach and education; and community involvement and interagency collaboration.

The Bureau amplifies the voices of those most impacted and focuses on inequitable structural, social, service, and communication factors that drive disparities.

The Office of Research, Surveillance, Policy and Communications within the Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Use is responsible for conducting timely surveillance of alcohol and drug-related morbidity and mortality in NYC, reporting on key trends and disparate impacts by demographic group and neighborhood, conducting drug-checking services and surveillance of the unregulated drug supply in NYC, performing program evaluation and monitoring, and leading community engagement and communications campaigns to educate New Yorkers about alcohol and drug-related health risks.

Duties Will Include but Not Be Limited to

• Conduct quantitative and qualitative analyses of data collected through rapid assessments.
• Conduct field-based activities as part of rapid investigations into emerging drug issues, including but not limited to: field observations, semi structured and in-depth interviews, surveys, and medical file review.
• Summarize findings and prepare reports and publications for internal and external distribution.
• Contribute to investigation planning and design including: selection of methods, recruitment strategies, and analytic plan.
• Build relationships with community stakeholders and key informants.
• Assist with the development and execution of community-based responses, including, but not limited to: neighborhood specific educational materials and fact sheets, naloxone and opioid overdose prevention materials, other health-related strategies generated from research conducted.
• Supervise and mentor Field Responders and/or Field Research Associates.

Preferred Skills

• Spanish language skills a plus
• Experience conducting field-based research including: qualitative interviews and/or surveys;
• Proficiency with qualitative data analysis software such as Dedoose, Atlas ti, or NVivo;
• Familiarity with SPSS, SAS or other statistical analysis software;
• Graduate level experience in research methods.

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
• 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.

Additional information

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.

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!

Qualifications & Requirements

• 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

• 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
• 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
• 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.