Chief of Clinical Bacteriology, Bureau of the Public Health Laboratory (San Francisco)

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 PHL seeks a qualified candidate to serve as Chief of Clinical Bacteriology. This position will report to the PHL Associate Director of Microbiology and will play an integral role in laboratory testing, outbreak responses, and laboratory operations for bacterial agents and pathogens of public health concern. The position will be responsible for leading and coordinating laboratory testing and administrative activities with the General Bacteriology Unit, including but not limited to oversight of laboratory personnel, technical troubleshooting, data analysis, project development and management, as well as maintain and support quality assurance activities and regulatory compliance at PHL This is an excellent opportunity to join our multidisciplinary team, and collaborate with local, state, and national, and academic partners.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
- Supervise all aspects of the General Bacteriology unit, including technical oversight, maintaining daily laboratory operations, and supervision of personnel.
- Oversee BSL-2 and BSL-3 testing activities and ensure the laboratory is complaint with applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
- Supervise staff and monitor/evaluate performance of work to ensure compliance with laboratory policies and procedures.
- Coordinate and carry out public health surveillance and applied research projects and data analysis using laboratory testing data to inform public health practices.
- Perform data queries, generate reports, and develop/implement ways to oversee testing programs, including monitoring test result positivity, testing volumes, and turnaround times to meet performance standards.
- Write, review, edit, and update testing protocols and procedures, and provide training and guidance to laboratory personnel.
- Monitor and maintain reagents, testing, and specimen inventories.
- Collaborate with support services within the agency to include, such as the Division of Informatics and Information Technology (DITT) to manage and oversee electronic data transfer and data management.
- Participates in the quality management program and is actively engaged in maintaining quality assurance activities and practices within the laboratory according to regulatory standards, including advising staff on appropriate methods for identifying and resolving non-compliances through root cause analysis and implementation of appropriate action plans.
- Contribute to and author scientific presentations and publications, including representing NYC PHL at scientific meetings and conferences.
- Coordinate and participate in emergency operations and management activities at the DOHMH. Perform emergency response activities as needed

PREFERRED SKILLS:
- Possess (or eligibility for) a Clinical Laboratory Director Certificate of Qualification (CQ) issued by the New York State Education Department.
- PhD in the biological sciences/microbiology/virology field with extensive experience in the technical and administrative operations of a Clinical or Public Health Laboratory.
- Knowledge of generally accepted standards of laboratory performance.

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 Educations 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 positions 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 [email protected] or 347-396-6549.

CITY RESEARCH SCIENTIST - 21744

Minimum Qualifications

1. 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:
1. 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
2. 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
3. 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.

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

Additional Information

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.

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