Director, Perinatal and Early Childhood Mental Health Programs

Division/Program Summary Description: The Bureau of Children, Youth, Families & Developmental Disabilities (CYF/DD) is responsible for planning and monitoring much of NYC's comprehensive network of child and adolescent community mental health services. CYF/DD relies on research and surveillance to guide its decisions around service planning, implementation and evaluation and incorporates a health equity lens into its work. CYF/DD oversees a portfolio of over 100 programs and supports a family-driven, individualized and strength-based approach to care. The portfolio includes the NYC Perinatal and Early Childhood Mental Health (P+ECMH) Network, consisting of specialized mental health clinics for children birth to five and their families as well as pregnant individuals, and a Training and Technical Assistance Center that builds the capacity of mental health clinicians and other practitioners to support the mental health of young children and pregnant and parenting individuals.

Position Summary: The Director of Perinatal and Early Childhood Mental Health (P+ECMH) Programs will manage a team and conduct work which spans data-driven strategic planning, program evaluation, program contracting, and policy and partnership development.

Job Duties and Responsibilities: The Director will have the following responsibilities:

- Lead the implementation, expansion and evaluation of the P+ECMH Network, including performance monitoring, outcomes review, and planning for sustainability.
- Supervise staff who manage the monitoring of the performance of the Network, including data collection, analysis and reporting.
- On an ongoing basis, remain well informed about research in the P+ECMH field, research best practices, and set standards to guide P+ECMH training and practice.
- Oversee the technical assistance and quality improvement activities offered to provider agencies, to ensure high-quality services.
- Lead the development of a Fellowship program to build the skills of new graduates in P+ECMH.
- Prepare external reports and presentations for executive, leadership, scientific and other audiences; participate in disseminating findings to stakeholders through conferences and publishing.
- Supervise staff who oversee the contracts with the P+ECMH clinics and the Training and Technical Assistance Center. Guide allocation of funds within the Network and track spending.
- Provide content expertise to advance P+ECMH policy development at the City and State level.
- Foster connections and referral relationships between the P+ECMH Network and other systems that serve perinatal individuals and young children.
- Collaborate with and consult to multiple stakeholders within the NYC Health Department, other city agencies, academic institutions, and other entities relating to perinatal mental health and the social-emotional development and mental health of young children.
- Undertake other duties as assigned, including representing the Bureau on workgroups and task forces.

Preferred Skills:

- Significant knowledge of and experience working in the field of perinatal, child or maternal/parental mental health services or workforce development in parent/child serving systems.
- Significant experience with program design and budget development.
- An analytic and strategic thinker, with the ability to use data and research evidence to inform planning.
- Outstanding program management skills, organizational skills and ability to handle multiple priorities on tight deadlines.
- Strong computer and data management and interpretation skills, including proficiency with Word, Excel and PowerPoint and other software.
- Proven success in supervising an effective and productive team and in developing strong multi-stakeholder partnerships.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Experience incorporating racial equity and social justice principles into the work; demonstrated commitment to supporting communities that experience health disparities.

Why you should work for us:

- 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.