Child Care Investigator, Bureau of Childcare

Job Description

The Bureau of Child Care ensures that child care 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 child care programs to protect the health and safety of children while in the child care environment, and actively works to improve and expand access to high quality programs which support early childhood development and learning.

The Bureau seeks to hire a Child Care Investigator to search for child care providers who are operating illegally, unregulated, and thus more likely to create an environment with health and safety risks to children.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
Investigate allegations of illegal child care operations throughout the five boroughs of New York City.
Conduct intense surveillance in and around commercial and residential buildings of suspected illegal operations.
Interview child care 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 child care 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.
Selected candidates will be expected to travel to Albany, NY for training and elsewhere throughout the State for an annual NYS Regulator's meeting. Expenses paid by the agency.

PREFERRED SKILLS:
Be able to work independently and as part of a team;
Good observational skills; Strong analytical skills;
Ability to deduce potential impacts of conditions or assess risk;
Excellent writing skills including the ability to adequately describe observations in detail;
Experience conducting administrative, criminal, or internal investigations or in child protective services a plus;
Computer skills including the use of mobile computing devices.

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!

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 sahn1@health.nyc.gov or 347-396-6549.

ASSOCIATE INVESTIGATOR (NOT PR - 31121

Qualifications

1. A four-ye