Job Description

The goals of the Office of the Medical Director (OMD) at the Department of Homeless Services (DHS), are to improve the health and well-being of New Yorkers experiencing homelessness, reduce morbidity and mortality, thereby increasing their chances of succeeding in permanent housing and independent living. The Office of the Medical Director brings public health and evidence-based interventions to DHS in the areas of health, mental health, substance use and nutrition. OMD staff work with other divisions at DHS and with shelter and clinical providers on linkage to health services, coordination with hospitals and other health care providers, implement interventions, conduct programmatic research and evaluation and provide medical consultation.

The Department of Homeless Services is recruiting for one (1) City Research Scientist IV-A to function as a Child Mental Health Specialist Program Director, who will:

- Provide leadership and general direction to agency personnel in planning, conducting, and coordinating specific research projects. Responsible for the oversight of the children and family mental health program and serve as children mental health expert. Use rigorous research methods and evidence-based data to develop and evaluate the services.

- Oversee staff to use rigorous scientific methods, collect and analyze large health datasets to elicit critical information and analytics to implement and evaluate the selected interventions to improve the mental health of children residing in shelter; oversee the conduct of retrospective data analysis of incident reports and CARES data to identify clients for the child mental health and the development of predictive methods of identification, and track referrals.

- Develop, implement, and oversee DHS evidence-based and data-driven, applied research initiatives. Develop standards and advise on implementation of child/family mental health protocols, including development and provision of mental health training for DHS facility staff.

- Oversee the development of indicators, tracking system, data management, and complex data analysis, for data-driven services provision and outcome analysis. Oversee and direct the analysis of biopsychosocial data to identify children in needs by using DHS case management data. Manage and create analytical programs to identify children with high mental health needs and offer intervention. Utilize large datasets, including Hospital Discharge data (SPARCS) to evaluate outcomes. Participate in quality improvement initiatives by advising on and reviewing data analysis, dashboarding, and ongoing monitoring of program data.

- Review and advise on children and family clinical cases. Participate in case conferences involving complex behavioral health needs and linkage to community treatment. Respond to requests for mental health consultations needed in the FWC system; supervise other research scientists; provide relevant training, and technical assistance.

- Liaise with external agencies, including but not limited to other City agencies (e.g., ACS, HRA, DOHMH, H&H), State agencies (e.g., SDOH, SOMH, OASAS, OPWDD), community health, mental health, and managed care organizations around child mental health services at DHS. Write and participate in writing related grant applications.

Qualifications

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.

Additional Information

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.