Hourly Project Assistant II (Internship)

Compensation Grade:

Compensation Details:

Positions with a designated work location in New York City, Nassau, Rockland, Suffolk, or Westchester Counties will receive a $4,000 annual downstate adjustment (pro-rated for part-time positions).

Department

Job Description:

Hourly employees may work full time (37.5 hours), up to 12 weeks. Thereafter, they must reduce effort to part time, 20 hours/week or less.

Responsibilities

Health Research, Inc. is seeking an Hourly Project Assistant II to work with the Healthcare Epidemiology and Infection Control (HEIC) Program. Nationally and in the state of New York, the 2025-2026 influenza season was unusually severe because of decreased vaccination and less-than-optimal match between the seasonal influenza vaccine and the circulating influenza strains. There has been a new strain of influenza A called subclade "K" which generated worldwide attention during the 2025-2026 influenza season. People in the geriatric population are more vulnerable to complications of influenza than the general community.

The Metropolitan Area Regional Office (MARO) HEIC Program works with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to track influenza and other respiratory virus cases and outbreaks in nursing homes in the mid-Hudson Valley, New York City and Long Island. The incumbent will assist with performing HEIC outbreak and surveillance data management activities for influenza and other respiratory viruses including entry, cleaning, and analysis; present findings of surveillance data analysis to the MARO HEIC group; prepare summaries and line listings in response to cases in healthcare associated infection clusters and outbreaks and summarize rates and trends in healthcare associated infection clusters and outbreaks; and perform other appropriate related duties to assess the effect of the 2025-2026 respiratory season on nursing home residents in comparison to other, more typical respiratory seasons in previous years.

The Hourly Project Assistant II will also participate in site visits with other MARO HEIC team members to nursing homes related to case and outbreak investigations

This position is part of the Pathways to Public Health Internship Program and the purpose is to help strengthen career pathways to public health by bringing together students of all disciplines and academic levels with public health professionals to create a space of exploration, learning, and development.

The NYS Department of Health, in conjunction with Health Research, Inc., are committed to making New York a safer, healthier, and more equitable place to live. Addressing health equity, social determinants of health, and health disparities is part of the Department's broader efforts to eliminate health disparities.

Minimum Qualifications

Currently enrolled in, or have completed, a degree, certificate, or training program in public health, health sciences, biology, environmental health, epidemiology, statistics/biostatistics, data science, social sciences, health policy, or a closely related field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate student in Public Health, Nursing, Biostatistics, Biology, Epidemiology or a related field, and/or practical experience with infection prevention activities in a healthcare setting.

• Experience performing basic statistical analyses of HEIC surveillance data.

• Familiarity with the public health systems, healthcare facility operations, and/or infection prevention and control.

• Prior experience with clinical and public health surveillance data systems.

Conditions of Employment

Hourly, grant funded position expected to last through 08/07/2026. Compliance with funding requirements such as time and effort reporting, grant deliverables, and contract deliverables, is required.

Valid and unrestricted authorization to work in the U.S. is required. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Travel up to 10% of the time will be required.

The selected candidate must reside within a reasonable commuting distance of the official work location specified in the job posting and must also be located in or willing to relocate to one of the following states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Vermont, or Massachusetts, prior to hire.

This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule, with a combination of onsite and remote work.

HRI participates in the E-Verify Program.

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer/Qualified Individuals with Disabilities/Qualified Protected Veterans

www.healthresearch.org

About Health Research, Inc.

Join us in our mission to make a difference in public health and advance scientific research! At Health Research, Inc. (HRI), your work will contribute to meaningful change and innovation in the communities we serve! At HRI, we are on a mission to transform the health and well-being of the people of New York State through innovative partnerships and cutting-edge public health initiatives. As a dynamic non-profit organization, HRIplays a crucial role in advancing the strategic goals of the New York State Department of Health (DOH), Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (RPCCC), and other health-related entities.

HRI offers a robust, comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees, including:

• Health, dental and vision insurance -Several comprehensive health insurance plans to choose from;

• Flexible benefit accounts -Medical, dependent care, adoption assistance, parking and transit;

• Generous paid time off -Paid federal and state holidays, paid sick, vacation and personal leave;

• Tuition support -Assistance is available for individuals pursuing educational or training opportunities;

• Retirement Benefits -HRI is a participating employer in the New York State and Local Retirement System and offers optional enrollment in the New York State Deferred Compensation Plan. HRI provides a postretirement Health Benefits Plan for qualified retirees to use towards health insurance premiums and eligible medical expenses;

• Employee Assistance Program -Provides educational and wellness programs, training, and 24/7 confidential services to assist employees, both personally and professionally;

• And so much more!

Work Location Expectations

At HRI, the nature of hybrid and onsite work varies by position. Some roles require full onsite presence, while others allow a hybrid schedule. Managers determine the specific telecommuting expectations for each role based on operational needs and job responsibilities. If designated as hybrid, you will divide your time between working remotely and reporting onsite. Regardless of telecommuting status, all HRI employees must live within a reasonable commuting distance of their official work location and must reside in one of the following states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, or Vermont.