Laboratory Associate

*OPEN TO THOSE WHO ARE PERMANENT IN THE LABORATORY ASSOCIATE TITLE OR REACHABLE ON THE CIVIL SERIVCE LIST FOR LABORATORY ASSOCIATE, EXAM NO. 5084*

The Division of Disease Control's mission is to safeguard the health of New Yorkers through identification, surveillance, treatment, control, and prevention of infectious diseases, which is achieved through varied and interrelated endeavors of its seven Bureaus. The NYC Public Health Laboratory (PHL) is one of the largest local public health laboratories in the United States where employees contribute to the health and safety of NYC residents by providing clinical and environmental laboratory testing services. PHL is committed to its mission to safeguard the health of all NYC residents by providing quality laboratory testing services that support the priorities of DOHMH and its community partners to prevent and respond to clinical and environmental public health concerns. The Public Health Laboratory (PHL) seeks a qualified candidate to serve as a Laboratory Associate II which is crucial for laboratory operations.

This position will work primarily in the Central Accessioning Unit (CAU). PHL conducts more than 300,000 clinical and environmental laboratory tests annually and specimens are received through CAU for review, sorting, and entry into the Laboratory Information System and then delivered throughout the building for testing. Additionally, they will work in the Central Services Unit and be re sponsible for preparing daily media to be used by all laboratories. They will also assist with setting up standard controls and calibrations for equipment and laboratories throughout the building. This position will also assist with maintaining laboratory inventory, supplies, and equipment. This is an excellent opportunity to join our multidisciplinary team, and collaborate with local, state, federal, and academic partners.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:

- Remove Laboratory Waste from lab units

- Receive, stores, and distributes laboratory supplies and equipment

- Clean and operate equipment as required

- Perform and documents daily, weekly routine maintenance and Quality Control procedures on all lab equipment

- Clean and sterilize animal cages and lids on a regular basis

- Perform Inventory and maintain adequate stock of media, reagents, and other supplies

- Ship specimens to appropriate external labs

- Maintain storage and security of laboratory inventory supplies and equipment.

- Prepare media and other supplies for distribution throughout the building.

- Maintain upkeep of designated laboratory instruments before and after usage.

- Will be assigned to the receiving/stock room of the laboratory.

- Receive, sort, accession and deliver specimens, not limited to outbreak specimens to testing laboratory.

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!

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.

LABORATORY ASSOCIATE - 21512