Special Assistant, Bureau of Queens Neighborhood Health

City of New York • Long Island City, NY

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Center for Health Equity & Community Wellness (CHECW) aims to eliminate racial and other inequities that lead to premature mortality. CHECW works to increase awareness of the harm caused by centuries of racist, socially unjust policies while advocating for the most impacted NYC communities. CHECW addresses inequity across community and healthcare systems in partnership with community, faith-based, and healthcare organizations. CHECW's work focuses on social determinants of health, including environmental and commercial determinants, and addresses both upstream and downstream factors to improve the health and well-being of New Yorkers. CHECW is comprised of the Bureau of Bronx Neighborhood Health, the Bureau of Brooklyn Neighborhood Health, the Bureau of Harlem Neighborhood Health, the Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention, the Bureau of Equitable Health Systems, and the Bureau of Finance, Administration and Services. The division's Deputy Commissioner also serves as the Agency's Chief Equity Officer and oversees Race to Justice, the Agency's internal reform effort to help staff understand how they can better address racial health gaps and improve health outcomes for all New Yorkers. CHECW launched a new Bureau of Queens Neighborhood Health in 2026 following initial funding for work in Queens. The New York City Health Department is seeking a Special Assistant to join the newly-established Bureau of Queens Neighborhood Health. The Bureau will contribute to the larger Neighborhood Health Strategy and complement the work of the other Bureaus of Neighborhood Health in Brooklyn, Harlem, and the Bronx. Reporting to the Assistant Commissioner, the Special Assistant will manage the coordination of performance and planning activities, including bureau reporting, agendas and meeting notes, requests made to the bureau and/or the Assistant Commissioner, and Queens Neighborhood Health priority projects. The ideal candidate should be able to work in a fast-paced environment, apply critical thinking skills, and digest, interpret, and respond to information quickly. The Special Assistant should also have a keen interest in developing and applying an anti-racist and racial equity lens. The Special Assistant will work collaboratively with other members of the office, including with the Office of the Deputy Commissioner. This role will primarily work in Jamaica, Queens; however, the position will be initially assigned to Long Island City, Queens at least one day per week while renovations are underway at the Jamaica location.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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
• 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
• 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.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Apply critical thinking skills.
• Digest, interpret, and respond to information quickly.
• Keen interest in developing and applying an anti-racist and racial equity lens.
• Work collaboratively with other members of the office, including with the Office of the Deputy Commissioner.

Nice To Haves

• Excellent interpersonal, collaborative and team skills.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
• Keen attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and exercise a high degree of initiative, apply project management strategies, accomplish tasks and solve problems.
• Experience and ability to critically review and assess the scientific literature.
• Keen ability to prioritize and handle multiple assignments.
• Comfort and competence with data interpretation and reporting.
• Experience and comfort applying a racial equity lens.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with members of the Bureau of Queens Neighborhood Health team, ensuring seamless support for daily tasks, meetings, reports, and activities, as well as high-priority projects.
• Assist with and conduct assigned research, literature reviews, and memos, including work on the application of anti-racist public health practice and neighborhood health strategies to best meet the needs of the Jamaica community.
• Liaise with the Deputy Commissioner’s team, including working closely with staff supporting division operations, policy, press, communications, and racial equity efforts.
• Coordinate and manage requests across the Bureau and build collaborative relationships across the division.
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge base on critical issues in public health, chronic disease prevention and management, place-based work, community engagement, bridging public health and health care, and social determinants of health, including research, policy, and programmatic interventions.
• Coordinate and lead staff across the Bureau to create, refine, format, proofread, and organize deliverables, metrics, and reports, applying a racial equity lens to documents in review.
• Manage and/or lead special projects at the request of the Assistant Commissioner, as needed.
• Organize bureau activities, including staff meetings and guest speakers.
• Attend meetings and events on behalf of the Assistant Commissioner, as requested.
• Maintain and improve upon organizational systems to manage information flow within the Bureau.

Benefits

• 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.
• Premium-free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10K annually, per a 2024 assessment.
• Additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position’s associated union/benefit fund.
• A public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement.
• A tax-deferred savings program.
• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level