Policy Manager, Bureau of Children, Youth, Families & Development Disabilities

About the role

The Bureau of Children, Youth, Families & Developmental Disabilities (CYF-DD) is responsible for planning and monitoring much of NYC's comprehensive network of child and adolescent community mental health services.

Grounded in a commitment to equity, the CYF-DD's mission is to promote the mental health of all children, youth and families and to empower individuals with developmental disabilities to lead integrated and fulfilling lives. To achieve this, we work to improve policies, plan and fund services, conduct research and evaluation, support community based partners and connect children and youth to needed services.

CYF-DD's Office of Policy and Planning supports the bureau's mission by understanding community needs, conducting mental health and intellectual/developmental disabilities systems-level planning, shaping effective policy changes, and ensuring that program models and initiatives are fiscally viable and responsive to need.

Duties Will Include but Not Be Limited to

• Lead the development of the bureau's policy agenda by identifying opportunities for policy advancement to improve outcomes for children, youth, and families and people with IDD.
• Conduct prompt research and analysis of local, state and national policies including: legislation, regulations, guidance, budgets, and emerging trends.
• Research and analyze current and future reimbursement and payment systems to improve access to care (e.g. Medicaid, VBP, managed care, etc.).
• Write and present research findings and policy recommendations, including via briefs, memos, literature reviews, presentations, and reports, to advise office and bureau leadership on bureau policy priorities and action.
• Help bureau staff to build knowledge of relevant policy issues and the policy development process.
• Monitor emerging legislative, regulatory and other policy proposals related to the mental and emotional wellbeing of children, youth, and families and people with IDD, including those involved in multiple child-serving systems, and coordinate the development of bureau comments on these proposals by developing summaries, and drafting comments.
• Maintain a database to track and document local, state, and federal policy issues and the bureau's efforts to advance policy priorities.
• Assist with the design and implementation of quantitative and qualitative data collection (e.g. surveys, focus groups, informational interviews), in collaboration with the Office of Research and Evaluation and interpret and apply population-level data for policy development (e.g. Medicaid).
• Develops and maintains relationships with government partners and other stakeholders.
• Support the development of the bureau's planning agenda, including the development of the local government service plan.
• Support the bureau's licensing application review team with policy summaries and analysis.
• Incorporate racial equity and social justice principles to ensure that priorities and recommendations are aimed at eliminating structural racism and racial inequalities.
• Supervise policy analyst staff in the Office of Policy and Planning to ensure the timely completion of the above.

Preferred Skills

• Familiarity with health insurance (public and commercial), managed care and value-based principles preferred.
• Experience with reviewing and interpreting large datasets such as Medicaid or other service utilization data, and able to extract relevant information to inform policy recommendations
• Strong research, analytical, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong ability to prioritize and handle multiple assignments within tight timelines.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment as well as work independently.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

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.