Drug-Checking Operations Lead, Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Use

Responsibilities

• Oversee day‑to‑day operations for the Drug‑Checking Program.
• Strategize and pilot novel methods of sample collection that reflect geographic variation across the city to better monitor the unregulated drug supply.
• Engage stakeholders in the identification of drug‑checking data needs and analyze results to inform the development of data products.
• Contribute to research activities related to the Drug‑Checking Program, including developing research study protocols and instruments, recruiting participants, and analyzing results.
• Contribute to the dissemination of drug‑checking findings, including presentations, manuscripts, and other data products.
• Build relationships with staff at community‑based sites, including harm‑reduction specialists, outreach workers, and program managers, to ensure seamless and effective service delivery.
• Coordinate logistics for shipping samples to a secondary testing lab partner, including picking up samples from sites across the city on a routine basis.
• Process and track receipt of sample data from the secondary testing laboratory partner.
• Maintain records for the routine submission of drug‑checking program data to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Oversee the work of drug‑checking consultants and contractors, including developing scopes of work, supervising, and ensuring timely completion of deliverables, and processing invoices.
• Develop and refine Drug‑Checking Program policies and procedures for safe collection, storage, and shipping of samples.
• Coordinate Drug‑Checking Program presentations and events.
• Stay up to date on the latest trends, developments, and innovations related to drug checking, harm reduction, and substance use to enhance overall effectiveness.
• Contribute to the Bureau's racial justice and health equity activities.
• Perform all other responsibilities and projects as assigned by supervisors.

• Experience working in a field related to substance use.
• Experience in managing a budget and/or contracts.
• Familiarity with using public health program data to inform service delivery.
• Able to work independently, excel in oral and written communication and organizational skills, and be a flexible team player.
• Detail‑oriented with outstanding organizational skills.
• Able to multi‑task in a fast‑paced, high‑volume environment, with proficiency in Excel, Access, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Sensitive to various ethnic, racial, cultural backgrounds, gender identities, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic conditions.

• Loan forgiveness and repayment assistance programs that may lessen or even fully forgive student loan balances. For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website ((Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).).
• Benefits:
  City employees are entitled to unmatched benefits such as:
  • Premium‑free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10 K annually, per a 2024 assessment.
  • Additional health, fitness, and financial benefits that may be available based on the position’s associated union/benefit fund.
  • A public‑sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement.
  • A tax‑deferred savings program.
  • 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 work up to two days during the week from home.
• Job security:
  You could enjoy more job security compared to private‑sector employment and contribute to making NYC a healthy place to live and work.

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 characteristic, including but not limited to sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.