Health Product Development & Engineering Lead, Bureau of Data and Technology & Strategy

Description

The Center for Population Health Data Science (CPHDS) launched in October 2023 to modernize the agency's data work and link public health, healthcare, and social service data so it can be published in a timely and useful way.

The goal is to make this data accessible, timely, equitable, usable, and protected, and to put it to work protecting and promoting the health of New Yorkers. The CPHDS is building a real-time, complete view of city needs to support public health action and better outcomes for the most vulnerable New Yorkers, starting with stronger citywide population health surveillance.

The Bureau of Data Technology and Strategy houses data strategy, data communication, data governance, data product management, data engineering, and data science. The Unified Data Experience (UDX) team is modernizing how the agency communicates data to the public, with a focus on usability, accessibility, and approachability across all public-facing data products.

This is the City Research Scientist role, position code 21744, for a Health Product Development and Engineering Lead.

Responsibilities

• Direct the engineering and development of the UDX platform, selecting the technologies, architectures, and components that support building and daily workflows.
• Work with the team on research and design, taking internal and external needs through prototypes and on to finished product.
• Find design and technical problems and propose solutions that are elegant, timely, and cost-effective.
• Lead and mentor other contributors, including junior developers and UX designers.
• Explain design, development, and technical choices and trade-offs to internal stakeholders.
• Question assumptions, take calculated risks, and push new ideas that help people use data to act.

Requirements

• For Assignment Level I: a master's degree from an accredited college or university in physical, biological, or environmental science, or in public health.
• For Assignment Level II and above, one of the following: a doctorate from an accredited college or university in physical, biological, environmental, or social science, plus one year of full-time responsible supervisory, administrative, or research experience in that field; or a master's degree in one of those fields, plus three years of responsible full-time research experience in that field.
• Equivalent education or experience may be considered for Level II and above, but all candidates must hold at least a master's degree in an appropriate field and have at least two years of the research experience described above. Two years as a City Research Scientist Level I can replace the experience required for either option.
• Preferred: four or more years of proven leadership in building internal and external data communication products such as dashboards and web products. Candidates who have designed complex solutions and enjoy data visualization and data communication are given preference.
• Preferred: experience building accessible front-end web interfaces with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and familiarity with modern web tools, especially JavaScript open-source frameworks such as React and Next.js.
• Preferred: a solid grasp of user-centered design or design thinking.
• Preferred: experience with public health principles, health literacy, evidence-based health communication, or evidence-based data visualization.
• Preferred: familiarity with experimental thinking and running A/B tests to find the best approach.
• Preferred: ability to work well in a team and turn abstract ideas into concrete designs.
• Preferred: enjoys solving user pain points through strong design.
• Preferred: open to feedback and constructive criticism.

Conditions

Appointments are subject to a minimum probationary period of one year.

Depending on the position, you may be able to work from home up to two days a week.

The company is an equal opportunity employer that bans discrimination and harassment based on any legally protected status, including sex, race, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, and veteran status.

Benefits

• A premium-free health insurance plan that, according to a 2024 assessment, saves employees over $10K a year.
• Additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available depending on the position's union or benefit fund.
• A public sector defined benefit pension that pays steady monthly amounts in retirement.
• A tax-deferred savings program.
• A Worksite Wellness Program with resources and opportunities to stay healthy.
• More job security than many private sector jobs.