N.Y. Second Class Cities Law § 146

§ 146. Health officer. No person shall be eligible to appointment as\nhealth officer unless he shall be a physician and surgeon duly licensed\nto practice under the laws of this state, and who has practiced as such\nfor at least ten years. The health officer shall possess such powers and\nperform such duties as shall be delegated to or prescribed by the\ncommissioner of public safety or by ordinance of the common council.\n