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

Description

The Center for Population Health Data Science opened in October 2023 to speed up data modernization across the agency.

Its work links public health, healthcare and social service data so the city can monitor population health more accurately and in near real time, with a focus on the most vulnerable New Yorkers.

The Bureau of Data Technology and Strategy covers data strategy, communication, governance, product management, engineering and data science.

The Unified Data Experience team is modernizing how the agency shares data with the public, making it easier to use, more accessible and easier to understand.

Responsibilities

• Lead the engineering and development of the UDX platform, selecting the technologies, architecture and components that support building and everyday workflows.
• Work with the team on research and design, moving from internal and external needs to prototypes, then from prototypes to finished product.
• Spot design and technical problems and build solutions that are elegant, timely and cost-effective.
• Guide other contributors, including junior developers and UX designers.
• Explain design, development and technical decisions, and their trade-offs, to internal stakeholders.
• Ask sharp questions, take calculated risks and push innovative ideas that help people use data to act.

Requirements

• Assignment Level I, limited to physical, biological, environmental sciences and public health: a master's degree from an accredited college or university in a relevant field of 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 a relevant field of 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 from an accredited college or university in a relevant field of those sciences, plus three years of responsible full-time research experience in that field.
• Or education and/or experience equivalent to either option above, but all candidates must hold at least a master's degree in a relevant field and have at least two years of the research experience described in the second option. Two years as a City Research Scientist Level I can replace the experience required in both options.
• Preferred: four or more years of demonstrated leadership building internal and external data communication products, such as dashboards and web products. Candidates who have designed complex solutions and enjoy data visualization and communication will be given priority.
• Preferred: accessible front-end web design using HTML, CSS and JavaScript, plus familiarity with many modern web tools, especially JavaScript open-source frameworks such as React and Next.js.
• Preferred: a strong grasp of user-centered design principles or design thinking.
• Preferred: knowledge of public health principles, health literacy, evidence-based health communication or evidence-based data visualization.
• Preferred: familiarity with experimental thinking and the ability to run A/B tests to find the best approaches.
• Preferred: the ability to work well in a team and turn abstract ideas into concrete designs.
• Preferred: a drive to solve user pain points through strong design.
• Preferred: openness to feedback and constructive criticism.

Conditions

The role is posted as City Research Scientist, job number 21744.

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

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

The city is an equal opportunity employer that prohibits discrimination and harassment based on any legally protected status.

Benefits

• Premium-free health insurance that saves employees over $10K annually, per a 2024 assessment.
• 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 to help you stay healthy.
• Possible eligibility for federal or state loan forgiveness and repayment assistance, which can lower payments or fully forgive the balance.
• More job security than most private sector employment.