Assistant Director of Community Initiatives, Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Use

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. BADUPCT 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.

Duties will include but not be limited to:
1. Supervise the HRU Community Initiatives Team of four (4) staff including the Drop In Center Program Manager, Outreach and Syringe Litter Program Manager and two Outreach and Syringe Litter Coordinators, effectively overseeing the management of community-facing initiatives, technical assistance and ongoing program evaluation activities.
2. Manage the planning, design, execution, and coordination of Harm Reduction Unit research activities conducted with Community Initiatives team, including timelines, goals and coordination with internal and external stakeholders. This includes participation in the writing of papers and data briefs that highlight the impact and limitations of program interventions.
3. Study and evaluate existing literature on evidence-based community health initiatives, particularly those conducted as part of or parallel to syringe service programs and harm reduction interventions incorporating findings for improved program oversight and quality management.
4. Lead the coordination of research conducted by the HRU Data Manager for the development of digital dashboards that reflects required data reporting by Outreach and Syringe Litter Team and SSPs with Drop-in Centers.
5. Lead the preparation and maintenance of records that reflect the implementation of unit goals, actualized by syringe service programs, ensuring alignment with Bureau and NYC Health Department goals.
6. Respond to internal and external data requests related to community-facing HRU and/or bureau initiatives involving public drug use, syringe litter, kiosk operations and syringe redemption.
7. Lead the Community Initiatives team in the provision of targeted program evaluation and technical assistance for both brick-and-mortar and community-based syringe service programs and the community syringe redemption program.
8. Oversee the evaluation of methods, procedures and data obtained by investigations into the provision of community-based harm reduction services, producing reports on program success, service gaps and recommendations for future unit initiatives. This includes ensuring the provision of programmatic technical assistance and referrals to the HRU Data Manager regarding data collection (using electronic health records) and submission for program evaluation.
9. Lead the Harm Reduction Unit’s coordination with other agencies and institutions including the Department of Parks and Recreation (Parks), the Department of Homeless Services (DHS), and the Office of Addition Services and Supports (OASAS) for collaborative programmatic and research efforts.
10. Support the OSL Program Manager in elevating high-profile or high-priority community facing issues to bureau leadership.
11. Oversee the management of programmatic activities by both the Drop In Center (DIC) Program Manager and the Outreach and Syringe Litter Manager coordinating community facing activities through contracted syringe service programs to investigate public drug use and associated phenomenon including but not limited to public intoxication, and syringe litter as well as related strategies to reduce perceived and real impacts on individuals and communities including people who use drugs in NYC.
12. Manage team collaboration on the identification of workflows to capture Drop In Center services in eSHARE, and OSL services in REDCap.
13. Collaborate with the Assistant Director of Contracts and Special Projects on projects that overlap with contractual requirements and/or monitoring of syringe service programs, including training/technical assistance, ongoing monitoring and investigations into the service provision via Outreach and Syringe Litter or Drop-in Center Programs.
14. Support the Unit Director in the development and updating of unit policies and procedures, staff workflows, standardized reporting and data collection to reflect unit initiatives, contractual processes, programmatic outcomes, and technical assistance. This includes collaborating on the development of strategic planning to achieve unit goals.
15. Collaborate with the Assistant Director of Contracts and Special Projects to co-manage the Harm Reduction Unit in the absence of the Unit Director.
16. Represent HRU in intra-bureau and Divisional workgroups and meetings.
17. Facilitate, coordinate and participate in various HRU meetings as needed.
18. Participate in activities to advance racial, gender, and social equity at the bureau, divisional and agency level, supporting efforts to center equity in HRU work.
19. Other duties or tasks may be assigned by the Unit Director on an as-needed basis.

PREFERRED SKILLS:
Knowledge of harm reduction practice and theory, including syringe exchange programming in New York State, access, and regulations. Knowledge of research and evaluation design and implementation. Knowledge of program development, human services electronic databases, and contract management. Experience in supervising and supporting diverse teams and team development. Experience in health education training, knowledge of overdose prevention, HIV, Hepatitis C prevention and treatment, mental health, and substance use issues. Ability to engage people who use drugs and their service providers in a non-judgmental manner. Strong facilitation skills and convening community groups in a dynamic manner for problem solving issues related to substance use disorder. Excellent oral and written communication skills, organizational skills and attention to detail. Flexible team player. Value alignment and understanding of the practical implications of health equity, racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, drug- related stigma, and social oppression of people of various ethnic, racial, and cultural backgrounds, gender identities, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic conditions. Microsoft Office proficiency. Ability to work independently and as part of a team and to multi-task in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.

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.

CITY RESEARCH SCIENTIST - 21744