Senior Policy Analyst, Bureau of Community Awareness, Action, Response & Engagement

The Bureau of Community Awareness, Action, Response, and Engagement (BCAARE) engages and supports community action to learn from community members' experiences and expectations to develop and disseminate behavioral health linkages and supports for wellness, and for preparing for, and responding to local and widespread events and emergencies. The bureau invites and includes peer perspectives to integrate equitable access to behavioral health across sectors and settings.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
-Research and analyze local, state and federal regulations, legislation, proposed/final budgets and proposed policies, and develop positions and public comments on behalf of the Bureau of BCAARE.
-Conduct relevant research and annually coordinate and lead the development of the BCAARE policy/legislative agenda and collaborate with Divisional colleagues in developing the Division's legislative agenda.
-Continuously research on best practices and coordinate activities related to educating NYC's service providers and community members about behavioral health parity, including tracking state and federal policy developments, evaluating training outcomes, conducting trainings, and connecting stakeholders to resources.
-Lead research, policy development and policy implementation activities focused on access to behavioral healthcare among commercially insured New Yorkers.
-Continuously research and inform the Bureau and Office on emerging trends in behavioral healthcare policy, delivery systems and financing for use in health systems policy work.
-Lead and/or collaborate in the development of research surveys, tracking mechanisms, project workplans, policies, procedures and other tools necessary for public policy, behavioral health parity and commercial insurance work.
-Support the Office's work related to Medicaid, Medicare and value-based payment/alternative payment models as necessary.
-Along with the Senior Director, represent the office/division in public policy, behavioral health parity, insurance access and other policy related discussions and workgroups, facilitate meetings and work collaboratively with and manage projects that include various levels of staff including senior leadership.

PREFERRED SKILLS:
-Strong research and analytical skills and the ability to synthesize highly complex information into content relevant to a particular reader or situation.
-Background and excellent knowledge of public policy and/or health policy, policy analysis, and New York's health insurance landscape.
-Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills and the ability to communicate with diverse stakeholders.
-Strong project management skills with a high level of attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
-Knowledge of and/or experience with the public behavioral health system in New York especially in the areas of mental health, substance use, or developmental disabilities, current trends in access to care, public and private health insurance, and/or social determinants of health.
-Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment and meet tight deadlines.
-Ability to work independently as well as in team settings, and in close collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
-Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and the ability to use virtual meeting platforms such as Zoom, Webex and MS Teams.

Why you should work for us:

- Loan Forgiveness: As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal/state loan forgiveness and repayment assistance programs that lessen your payments or even fully forgive your full balance. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website (https://studentaid.gov/pslf/)
- 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. 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.