Infection Prevention & Antimicrobial Stewardship Specialist, Bureau of Communicable Diseases

About the role

The Bureau of Communicable Disease (BCD), part of the Division of Disease Control, is responsible for the surveillance, prevention, and control of over 70 infectious diseases including foodborne, enteric, waterborne, respiratory (including COVID-19), zoonotic and vector borne diseases. Within BCD, the Antimicrobial Resistance Unit (ARU) is comprised of three teams: Data and Surveillance, Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and Antimicrobial Stewardship, and One Health.

You will provide IPC subject matter expertise to BCD as well as analytic support to ARU.

Duties Will Include but Not Be Limited to

• Conduct virtual and/or onsite IPC assessments and provide technical assistance to congregate and healthcare settings in response to identified or anticipated risks and outbreaks of communicable diseases
• Independently perform quantitative data analyses related to antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial stewardship under the direction and guidance of the Infection Prevention and Control Team Lead
• Contribute to and facilitate antimicrobial stewardship guidance including but not limited to: interpretation of antimicrobial resistance data, drafting guidance, and creation of educational materials.
• Collaborate with internal (e.g., other BCD staff) and external stakeholders (e.g., New York State Department of Health, facilities) on IPC best practices.
• Provide general support to BCD, including participation in the Research Scientist of the Week rotation and other shared duties.
• Serve as a leading member of the Infection Prevention and Control Working Group during emergency responses.

Preferred Skills

Certification in Infection Control (CIC). Candidates with experience and training in infection prevention and control, especially with facility-level or system-wide needs assessments, will also be considered.

• Experience or training in public health and/or antimicrobial resistance.
• Proficiency in Statistical Analysis Software (SAS) or R.
• Experience supervising diverse teams and navigating different communication styles.
• Proficiency in computer systems, with the ability to learn new data systems quickly and comply with data integrity and security protocols.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact professionally with people from diverse backgrounds during times of crisis.
• Exceptional organizational skills.
• Ability to speak, read, and write in English.

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.