Public Health Assistant

City of New York • Long Island City, NY

3d

About The Position

The Public Health Assistant works in the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Division of Family and Child Health, Office of School Health (OSH) Vision Program. The program provides mandated vision screenings to Pre-K, kindergarten, and first-grade students across New York City’s five boroughs, and partners with Warby Parker, which provides free eyeglasses to students who fail screenings.

Reporting to the Team Leader, the Public Health Assistant travels to assigned public, non-public, and charter schools to conduct student vision screenings. Citywide travel and flexibility in assignment location may be required based on program needs. The role includes setting up, maintaining, transporting, and breaking down screening equipment; preparing referral forms; assisting with follow-up; and accurately entering screening data into ASHR.

Applicants must be permanent employees in the title and reachable on the Public Health Assistant (School Health) Civil Service list. The position requires either a four-year high school diploma or equivalent, completion of eleventh grade plus one year of qualifying full-time experience, or equivalent education and/or experience. All candidates must have completed eleventh grade.

Requirements

• Must be a permanent employee in the title and reachable on the Public Health Assistant (School Health) Civil Service list.
• A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent approved by a State Department of Education or recognized accrediting organization; or completion of eleventh grade and one year of full-time satisfactory experience performing health-related or clerical duties; or equivalent education and/or experience.
• All candidates must have completed the eleventh grade of high school.
• Ability to travel throughout New York City’s five boroughs and accommodate flexibility in assignment location based on program needs.

Responsibilities

• Travel to elementary schools to screen Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and first-grade students.
• Conduct distance vision, hyperopia, near vision, color, and fusion tests.
• Assist with setting up and breaking down vision screening equipment.
• Prepare referral forms for parents of children who fail screenings.
• Assist with follow-up, including obtaining updated phone numbers from schools for children who fail screenings.
• Maintain and transport equipment to and from schools.
• Communicate courteously with children and staff and assist the screening team leader as directed.
• Record, tally, and accurately enter screening data into ASHR.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the program.

Benefits

• Premium-free health insurance plan; the posting states this saves employees over $10,000 annually, based on a 2024 assessment.
• Additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available depending on the position’s associated union or benefit fund.
• Public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement.
• Tax-deferred savings program.
• Worksite Wellness Program.
• Depending on the position, the ability to work from home up to two days during the week.
• Job security compared to private sector employment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED