Drug-Checking Data Analyst, Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Use

Job Description

The Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Use (BADU) works to close gaps and reduce overall morbidity and mortality related to alcohol and substance use among New Yorkers. BADU develops, implements, and evaluates interventions and prevention strategies through contracting of treatment, recovery and support services; policy analysis and development; epidemiology and surveillance; dissemination of treatment and management guidelines; harm reduction initiatives; public and provider outreach and education; and community involvement and interagency collaboration. The Bureau amplifies the voices of those most impacted and focuses on inequitable structural, social, service, and communication factors that drive disparities.

The Office of Research, Surveillance, Policy, and Communications within BADU conducts alcohol- and drug-related surveillance, program evaluation and research, maintains databases, designs research protocols, produces reports, writes scientific articles for peer-reviewed journals, facilitates program and policy development, and develops messaging and other communication materials for provider and public audiences. In 2021, BADU established a drug-checking pilot to gain more insight into the unregulated drug supply and provide fact-based information to people using the service. Using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and immunoassay test strips, trained drug-checking technicians currently offer point-of-care drug-checking services at syringe service program locations in Manhattan, the Bronx, and Brooklyn, including two sites that offer overdose prevention services.

Duties will include but not be limited to:
1. Extract, clean, manipulate, organize, and analyze data for the drug-checking initiative using R, SAS, REDCap, Excel, and other platforms
2. Work collaboratively with drug-checking technicians to perform quality assurance data checks and implement quality improvement processes to ensure data quality
3. Support the Senior Data Scientist in designing and developing new methods of analyses for the drug-checking initiative in conjunction with the Bureau’s drug-related syndromic surveillance data to inform future program direction
4. Contribute to the design and maintenance of the drug-checking database, including queries and data entry procedures
5. Support the creation and revision of study and data management documentation related to the drug-checking program, including data dictionaries and codebooks
6. Assist with data requests and reporting to support program implementation, troubleshoot issues, and address other program needs
7. Prepare data products, including tables, datasets, and reports, for internal and external audiences
8. Support the development of a drug-checking dashboard and other data visualization activities
9. Support the preparation of IRB applications for research study protocols
10. Contribute to the development of manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals
11. Contribute to the Bureau’s racial justice and health equity activities

PREFERRED SKILLS:
- A Master’s degree, PhD, or DrPH with a specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological or environmental science or in public health.
- Experience with QI/QA data processes and implementation.

Preferred Skills:
- Experience (at least 3 years) analyzing public health data in an applied setting using R, SAS, or similar statistical software
- Experience with survey data collection and database management using REDCap, SQL, Microsoft Access or similar platforms
- Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills
- Experience with data visualization and dashboards (e.g., Tableau) and reporting of results for various audiences
- Able to work independently and as part of a team
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
- Excellent computer skills, including MS office
- Able to multitask in a fast faced, high-volume environment
- Passionate about implementing interventions and conducting analyses with the end goal of reducing drug-related morbidity and mortality in New York City

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