Associate Director of Microbiology, Bureau of Public Health Laboratory

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 mission of the Public Health Laboratory is to safeguard the health of all New York City residents by providing quality laboratory testing services that address the needs of the NYC DOHMH and its community partners to prevent and respond to clinical and environmental public health concerns.

This is an excellent opportunity to join our team and continue to make history at the world's first municipal public health laboratory. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Public Health Laboratory is seeking an Associate Director for our Microbiology Section (Director, Office of Planning and Development).

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
- Perform overall supervision and coordination of the Microbiology Section (General Bacteriology Unit, Mycobacteriology Unit, and Molecular Diagnostics Unit) and providing technical, clinical, and administrative oversight to the associated laboratories.
- Plan, develop, and implement operational and technical process improvements.
Provide oversight to assigned Units and all programs therein.
- Direct overall strategic planning and operational decisions. Prepare and manage budgets (including PS and OTPS) for the areas of oversight.
- Develop and promotion of quality assurance program within section and PHL-wide.
Insurance of section's compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Maintain and provide technical subject matter expertise in all test methods performed under oversight and oversee the implementation of new technologies and methodologies including providing technical oversight and consultation on appropriate diagnostic assays.
- Develop policies, protocols, and procedures for the operation of the lab, ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements and professional accrediting organizations' recommendations and guidelines.
- Assist with the design, development and maintenance of database reports and other mechanisms to assist Senior Management in utilizing information that will improve the overall operation of the Public Health Laboratory and providing technical expertise and assistance for assuring and improving the integrity of LIMS data.
- Develop technical goals and objectives for the Section in accordance with the mission of the Public Health Laboratory and the New York City Health Code.
- Ensure the provision of cross training and technical skill development opportunities to staff assigned to the Public Health Laboratory.
- Develop policies, protocols, and procedures for the technical operation of the lab, ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements, and professional accrediting organizations' recommendations and guidelines.
- Monitor and evaluating the effectiveness of the Section.
- Serve as senior executive officer of the assigned Section and principal advisor to the Assistant Commissioner for the Public Health Laboratory in establishing technical, operational and program policies, guidelines, and procedures, and collaborating with City, State and Federal officials on related matters.

Preferred Skills for Associate Director of Microbiology
- 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.
- Strong analytical and organizational skills.
- Excellent, oral, inter-personal and written communication skills.
- Ability to work well in a team environment.

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 [email protected] or 347-396-6549.

1. Possession of a M.D. degree from an accredited school of medicine or possession of a doctorate degree in a relevant chemical, physical, or biological science from an accredited college or university and four years of postdoctoral laboratory training and experience; or

2. Education and/or experience equivalent to "1" above. However, all candidates must possess a M.D. degree or a doctorate degree in a relevant chemical, physical, or biological science as described in "1" above.

Certification

A valid NYS Department of Health (NYS DOH) certificate of qualification to act as a Laboratory Director or Technical Director in the appropriate categories for the lab(s) overseen is required. Employees must maintain the appropriate NYS DOH Certification as a Laboratory Director for the duration of employment.

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.