Outreach Assistant, Bureau of Veterinary and Pest Control Services

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's Division of Environmental Health works to prevent and control illness and injury related to environmental and occupational health risks through outreach, education, surveillance and enforcement. With staff of 1,000, the Division covers a broad range of subject matter, including oversight of environmental investigations, lead poisoning, injury prevention, occupational health, food safety, childcare, radiation control, recreational and drinking water quality, air quality, climate health, vector control, veterinary public health and pest control.

The Division of Environmental Health seeks an Outreach Assistant for its Bureau of Veterinary and Pest Control Services.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
Serve as community liaison for the prevention of rabies, animal bites and the benefits of licensing your pets. Provide guidance to someone who has been bitten by an animal and what to do if they suspect possible exposure to rabies.
Organize and provide training on the safe handling of animals by children and adults. Coordinate, track and triage animal bites reported by hospitals emergency rooms, urgent care, private medical practices, and other agencies.
Maintain files and databases of such incidents. Provide advice, services, and information on how to manage aggressive animals Provide written response to public inquires on illegal pets menacing animals, stray animals, reported complaints and conditions that may lead to nuisances.
Counsel the public on issues with requirements for rabies vaccination and pet confinement for pets that have bitten or were bit by another animal. Provides information to owners on the dog licensing law and how to license pets.
Advise communities and individual pet owners of the responsibility to spay and neuter their pets to keep them healthy and prevent unwanted strays. Coordinate with ACC shelters on specimens for timely rabies submissions. Process requests for rabies testing in PHL's database.
Under direction of Supervisor, collect case information and assist with drafting alerts for rabies positive specimens. Conduct follow up and management of exposed individuals and pets.

PREFERRED SKILLS:
The candidate should be flexible, adaptable, customer-focused, and goal oriented with a commitment to high standards of excellence
Excellent written and oral communications skills, experience using database systems.

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.

COMMUNITY ASSOCIATE - 56057

Qualification Requirements
1. High school graduation or equivalent and three years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to duties described above; or
2. Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" above.

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.