Assistant Director of Contracts and Special Projects

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 Operations team of five including the Contract Manager, Contract Coordinator, Special Projects Coordinator, Data Manager and Data Associate, effectively overseeing the development of processes for proper contractvbased planning, funding, management, routine communication, data collection and routine monitoring and analysis including site visits and ongoing program evaluation activities.
2. Manage the planning, design, execution, and coordination of Harm Reduction Unit research activities conducted within the Data and Quality Improvement team and the Contracts and Special Projects 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 quality management and adherence to contractual requirements.
4. Provide oversight and guidance to the HRU Data Manager in collaboration with the Senior Epidemiologist to evaluate the methods, procedures and data obtained by investigations into the provision of harm reduction services, producing reports on program success, service gaps and recommendations for future unit initiatives. This includes ensuring the provision of technical assistance on data collection (using electronic health records) and submission for program evaluation.
5. Coordinate the collaboration between the HRU Data Manager and the office of Research Surveillance, Policy and Communications to ensure data submissions from SSPs are accurate and submitted according to contract reporting schedules.
6. Assist in 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.
7. Lead the collaboration with Office of Research, Surveillance, Policy and Communication (RSPC) to streamline reporting procedures for contracted programs through eSHARE, REDCap and other data systems, collaborating on data indicators and data collection tools.
8. Lead the preparation and maintenance of records that reflect the funding and implementation of unit goals, supported by contracts and special projects, ensuring alignment with Bureau and NYC Health Department goals.
9. Lead the Harm Reduction Unit’s coordination with other agencies and institutions including Public Health Solutions (PHS), the Fund for Public Health New York (FPHNY), the Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene (RFMH) for contractual and research efforts.
10. Routinely communicate with Divisional Management, Business Systems Services in the Bureau of Hepatitis, HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections (BHHS), the office of the Agency Chief Contracting Officer (ACCO), and the office of Research Surveillance, Policy and Communications, to collaborate on conducting oversight and research/investigations on specific problems in the portfolio of syringe service programs.
11. Provide oversight and guidance to the HRU Contract Manager and Special Projects Coordinator staff, coordinating programmatic 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 and coordinate smooth collaboration with PHS, ensuring regular meetings with PHS to coordinate adherence and strategize around joint communication and engagement with programs including the scheduling of site visits to ensure that programs are delivering high-quality services as required by their contracts.
13. Oversee the coordination of annual contract renewals, annual closeout activities, leading the approval process for Scopes of Services, proposed service projections, and Deliverable Schedules as applicable for multiple contracts across 14 SSPs, and the Community Syringe Redemption pilot.
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 Community Initiatives on projects that overlap with community-facing programs or work conducted at brick-and-mortar or mobile 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.
16. Collaborate with the Assistant Director of Community Initiatives to co-manage the Harm Reduction Unit in the absence of the Unit Director.
17. Represent HRU in intra-bureau and Divisional workgroups and meetings.
18. Facilitate, coordinate and participate in various HRU meetings as needed.
19. 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.
20. 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