Field Researcher, Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Use
About The Position
The Field Researcher works within the Office of Research, Surveillance, Policy and Communications in the Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Use (BADU) at the NYC Health Department. BADU works to reduce morbidity and mortality related to alcohol and substance use among New Yorkers through interventions, prevention strategies, treatment and support services, policy development, epidemiology and surveillance, harm reduction, outreach, education, and community collaboration. The office conducts surveillance of alcohol- and drug-related health outcomes, monitors the unregulated drug supply, evaluates programs, and leads community engagement and communications efforts. The role conducts research and rapid investigations into emerging drug issues, using quantitative and qualitative approaches and field-based methods. The Field Researcher helps plan investigations, analyze and report findings, build community relationships, and develop community-based responses and health education materials. The role also supervises and mentors Field Responders and/or Field Research Associates. The position is classified as City Research Scientist, Job ID 21744. Appointments are subject to a minimum one-year probationary period.
Requirements
- For Assignment Level I in public health and specified sciences, a master's degree from an accredited college or university with a specialization in an appropriate field.
- For Assignment Level II and above, a doctorate in an appropriate field and one year of full-time responsible supervisory, administrative, or research experience; or a master's degree in an appropriate field and three years of responsible full-time research experience; or equivalent education and/or experience, subject to the stated minimum master's degree and experience requirements.
- Appointments are subject to a minimum probationary period of one year.
Nice To Haves
- Spanish language skills.
- Experience conducting field-based research, including qualitative interviews and/or surveys.
- Proficiency with qualitative data analysis software such as Dedoose, Atlas.ti, or NVivo.
- Familiarity with SPSS, SAS, or other statistical analysis software.
- Graduate-level experience in research methods.
Responsibilities
- Conduct quantitative and qualitative analyses of data collected through rapid assessments.
- Conduct field-based activities for rapid investigations into emerging drug issues, including field observations, semi-structured and in-depth interviews, surveys, and medical file review.
- Summarize findings and prepare reports and publications for internal and external distribution.
- Contribute to investigation planning and design, including selecting methods, recruitment strategies, and analytic plans.
- Build relationships with community stakeholders and key informants.
- Assist with developing and executing community-based responses, including neighborhood-specific educational materials and fact sheets, naloxone and opioid overdose prevention materials, and other health-related strategies informed by research.
- Supervise and mentor Field Responders and/or Field Research Associates.
Benefits
- Potential eligibility for federal or state loan forgiveness and repayment assistance programs.
- Premium-free health insurance plan.
- Additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position's associated union or benefit fund.
- Public-sector defined-benefit pension plan.
- Tax-deferred savings program.
- Worksite Wellness Program.
- Depending on the position, the possibility of working from home up to two days during the week.
- Job security compared to private-sector employment.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
