Policy and Planning Analyst, Bureau of Community Awareness, Action, Response & Engagement

The Bureau of Community Awareness, Action, Response, and Engagement (BCAARE) BCAARE serves in a pivotal role for the department to engage and support community action during a time when all New Yorkers are struggling to recuperate, recover, and remain resilient in the ongoing health crises facing the city. BCAARE's approach is to learn from community members' experiences and expectations to develop and disseminate behavioral health linkages and supports for wellness, and for preparing for, and responding to local and widespread events and emergencies. The bureau invites and includes peer perspectives to integrate equitable access to behavioral health across sectors and settings. BCAARE is organized into five main units including Local Services Planning.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
-Research and analyze local, state, and federal regulations, legislation, budgets, and policies, and develop policy recommendations, positions, and public comments on behalf of BCAARE.
-Lead the annual development of the BCAARE policy/legislative agenda and collaborate with colleagues in developing the Division's legislative agenda.
-Work with Sr. Planning Analyst to use policy to inform local strategic planning priorities, needs, and outcomes for the behavioral health system as informed by best practices, community feedback, policy, data and literature in collaboration with BCAARE's Office of Data Aggregation, Translation, and Analytics.
-Continuously research and inform the Bureau on emerging trends in the behavioral healthcare system and policies to inform Planning work with Sr Planning Analyst.
-Conduct research and create research/policy briefs, memoranda, and reports for various audiences including the NYC Health Department leadership, City/State partners, service providers and community members, at AC discretion.
-Contribute to the development of research surveys, tracking mechanisms, policy trackers, operating procedures, and other tools necessary for improving behavioral health, as identified by the CSB and other community members.
-Contribute to coordination of planning work with Sr Planning Analyst, including Community Services Board (CSB) meetings, agendas, and minutes, Planning Leads meetings, the Local Services Plan process, and other planning work as needed.
-Regularly attend community events, public forums, stakeholder meetings and/or hold focus groups and/or develop surveys to obtain community input for local services planning with Sr Planning Analyst and in collaboration with Offices in Bureau.

PREFERRED SKILLS:
-Strong research and analytical skills and the ability to synthesize highly complex information into content relevant to a particular reader or situation.
-Background and demonstrated knowledge of public policy and/or health policy, policy analysis, program planning, health promotion, and New York's behavioral health landscape.
-Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills and the ability to communicate with diverse stakeholders.
-Strong project management and organizational skills with a high level of attention to detail.
-Knowledge of and/or experience with community engagement and the public behavioral health system in New York especially in the areas of mental health, substance use, or developmental disabilities, current trends in behavioral health and social services policy.
-Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and the ability to use virtual meeting platforms such as Zoom, Webex and MS Teams.
-Be highly motivated, and a good team player.
-Ability to work independently as well as in team settings, and in close collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
-Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment and meet tight deadlines.

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.

CITY RESEARCH SCIENTIST - 21744

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.

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.