NYC Department of Social Services

DEPUTY COMMISSIONER HPA/HHSI

IF YOU ARE HIRED PROVISIONALLY IN THIS TITLE, YOU MUST TAKE AND PASS THE CIVIL SERVICE EXAM WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE, TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT.

Under executive direction, with wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment, broad scope of authority and a high degree of accountability, the Deputy Commissioner is responsible for the overall management and direction of the Homelessness Prevention Administration (HPA)’s Office of Housing & Homeless Services/Initiatives (HHSI), the implementation of the HHSI mission and management of HHSI programs in accordance with Federal, State, and City regulations and mandates and HRA policy.

HHSI is comprised of several key program areas that work together to fulfill HHSI's mission: Homelessness Diversion Units (HDUs) at select DHS shelter providers dedicated to servicing homeless Veterans; the centralized Rental Assistance Unit (RAU) including out-stationed RAU staff at the City Civil Housing Courts located in all five boroughs and at the Harlem Community Justice Center and the Red Hook Community Justice Center, and collocated at select Homebase provider offices in all five boroughs; the Landlord Ombudsman Services Unit (LOSU); the FHEPS Centralized Determination Unit (FCDU), and the Centralized Rent Processing Unit (CRPU). The overall programs goals are to provide critical supports to other DSS-HRA/DHS program areas and to contracted legal services providers and eviction prevention CBOs assisting clients with housing and homeless issues including rent arrears and rental assistance for eviction prevention and placement into permeant housing for the homeless.

  • Directs the administration of policy, procedures, and systems for all the housing and homeless related services provided to public assistance clients and the general public in order to maintain families in permanent housing and avoid their placement in the emergency shelter system while preventing loss of low income subsidized housing as mandated by Federal, State and City regulations. Manages the activities of and provides guidance to the management team in the day to day oversight of the division's activities. arrears payment and applications submission for rent subsidies, to prevent eviction, shelter entry and re-entry.

The Homelessness Prevention Administration is recruiting for one (1) Administrative Job Opportunity Specialist M-V to function as the Deputy Commissioner HPA/HHSI who will:

  • Collaborate with all New York City Housing and Homeless Services providers including, Department of Homeless Services, Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), New York City Housing Authority {NYCHA) and Community Based Organizations (CBOs) to document available services, secure priority access for public assistance recipients and advocate for changes in program design where needed. Continuously explores new funding sources and maximizes existing sources for developing possible joint initiatives which could benefit FIA's targeted populations.
  • Direct, manage, and administer the implementation of all Housing and Homeless Services Program components of New York City's welfare reform initiatives. This includes the design and implementation of unique programs targeted towards the needs of specific categorical populations; interacts with appropriate research, academic and professional organizations to ensure that HHSI benefits from the latest ideas on housing for homeless families.
  • Direct and manage the design and implementation of programs to maintain families in permanent housing so these individuals continue to participate in employment programs and avoid their placement in the emergency shelter system. Work closely with senior staff from other state and city agencies to ensure the resources needed to implement these programs are available.
  • Collaborate with management team to identify service gaps and unmet needs of Housing and Homeless Services clients. Design and manage the implementation of new programs to meet those client service needs. Seek to maximize the quality of specialized housing services available to the public assistance recipients who have barriers such as employment to obtain and keep permanent housing by utilizing resources outside of HHSI.
  • Be responsible for the overall management of the tracking of individuals in anti-eviction programs to ensure they are making progress towards employability and ultimately self-sufficiency; assume lead responsibility for the development of legislative proposals needed to enhance program operations.
  • Collaborate with HPA Chief in meetings with Federal, State, and local officials on all aspects of housing program operations; consult with Human Resources Administration executive staff on the design of new housing and employment initiatives when required.

LOCATION: 109 E 16Th St., N.Y.

HOURS: 9 - 5

Minimum Qualifications

  • A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, plus four years of satisfactory full-time experience performing work related to providing employment related services or economic support services to persons in need, at least eighteen months of this experience must have been in a supervisory or managerial capacity; or
  • A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and eight years of full-time experience equivalent to "1" above; at least eighteen months of this experience must have been in a supervisory or managerial capacity; or
  • Education and/or experience equivalent to "1" or "2" above. College credits from an accredited college or university may be substituted for experience on the basis of 30 semester credits for one year year of work experience. However, all candidates must have at least a four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and at least eighteen months of experience must have been in a supervisory or managerial capacity as described in "1" above.

Preferred Skills

Experience in managing and directing multiple programs interfacing with high level executives, city officials and community leaders. Knowledge of HRA data and welfare management systems Advanced proficiency and knowledge of various systems such as CARES, CURRENT, PASSPort, Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint. Management experience including delegation, oversight of deadlines and operational systems, including staff supervision. Ability to assess impact of policies and procedures and plan proactively to ensure systems can efficiently support initiatives. Strong writing, analytical skills, and ability to develop policy guidelines and best practice models for new initiatives.

55a Program

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

Residency Requirement

New York City Residency is not required for this position

Additional Information

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 protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.
  • Seniority level

    Executive
  • Employment type

    Full-time
  • Job function

    Other
  • Industries

    Government Administration

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