Child Care Investigator

ONLY PERMANENT EMPLOYEES IN THE TITLE AND THOSE THAT ARE REACHABLE ON THE ASSOCIATE INVESTIGATOR CIVIL SERVICE LIST ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY.

Division/Program Summary Description:
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 Bureau of Child Care ensures that childcare services in New York City operate in compliance with the New York City Health Code and New York State Social Service regulations and are licensed or permitted as required by law. The Bureau routinely monitors childcare programs to protect the health and safety of children while in the childcare environment, and actively works to improve and expand access to high quality programs which early childhood development and learning.

Position Summary:
The Bureau seeks to hire an Associate Investigator to respond to allegations of provider activity associated with childcare programs that are unsafe, unhealthy or unregulated. The Child Care Investigator will also search for childcare providers who are operating illegally, unregulated, and thus more likely to create an environment with health and safety risks to children.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:
- Investigate allegations of illegal childcare operations throughout the five boroughs of New York City.
- Conduct intense surveillance in and around commercial and residential buildings of suspected illegal operations.
- Interview childcare operators, staff, witnesses, families and children involved in complaints involving allegations of illegal operations.
- Collaborate with other investigative agencies such as ACS, DOI, NYPD, FDNY.
- Examine and analyze records and files of the childcare program to ensure compliance with regulations.
- Maintain confidential records and files for all investigations performed.
- Must be prepared to produce all required records and evidence to substantiate related legal processes.
- Conduct public education and outreach efforts conveying the importance of choosing licensed providers and reporting to the NYC Health Department programs that may be unsafe, unhealthy or operating illegally.
- Travel throughout New York City using mass transit or a personal car and carry approximately 15 pounds of inspection equipment.

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!

Commitment to Equity:

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.

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.

1. A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and five years of satisfactory, full-time experience as an investigator evaluating credit worthiness, searching for assets, verifying information concerning education, experience, and other personal qualifications bearing upon character and fitness for employment, or performing investigations involving the research, compilation and/or location of evidence or information in order to build a case or uncover activities of a criminal, corrupt, unlawful or unethical nature; or
2. An associate degree or 60 semester credits from an accredited college and four years of satisfactory, full-time experience as described in "1" above; or
3. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two years of satisfactory, full-time experience as described in "1" above; or
4. Education and/or experience equivalent to "1", "2", or "3" 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.