APPLICANTS MUST BE PERMANENT IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL SERVICES CIVIL SERVICE TITLE OR BE PERMANENT IN A COMPARABLE TITLE ELIGIBLE FOR 6.1.9 TITLE CHANGE OR BE REACHABLE WITH THE SCORE OF 100 ON THE OPEN COMPETITIVE ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL SERVICES EXAM (# 1121).

The Department of Homeless Services (DHS) is comprised of 2,000 employees and with an annual operating budget of over $1 billion is one of the largest organizations of its kind committed to preventing and addressing homelessness in New York City. Collaborating with other public agencies and not-for-profit partners, DHS works to prevent homelessness before it occurs, reduce street homelessness, and assist New Yorkers to transition from shelter into appropriate permanent housing. DHS is responsible for management of over 200 facilities, which mainly are individual, and family shelters used as overnight residences for over 38,000 adults and children. DHS’s portfolio covers approximately 4M square feet.

The Division of Shelter Intake is responsible for the oversight of the day-to-day operations of the agency’s Single Adult, Adult Families and Families with Children’s intake and assessment sites, both directly run and contracted providers. This Division is responsible for ensuring that the City’s most vulnerable population can access shelter, per eligibility criteria, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

The Department of Homeless Services (DHS) is recruiting to hire one (1) Administrator Director of Social Services M-IV to function as an Assistant Commissioner who will:

- Direct, manage and exercise functional control over the Division’s Single Adults, Adult Families and Families with Children, which operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

- Oversee the daily activities of Shelter Operations; partner with the appropriate providers to develop specific referral sources for prevention services with the goal of assisting clients to live independently.

- Effectuate specialized case management initiatives with aggressive and creative strategies to assist all homeless Single Adults, Adult Families, and Families with children to move into permanent housing.

- Lead efforts and exercises functional control in the effective provision of client services for Single Adults, Adult Families, and Families with Children Shelters.

- Supervise and manage external relations with contracted service providers, governmental agencies and oversight bodies, and Community Groups and Organizations.

- Advise and consult with Associate Commissioner and other Senior Agency Staff, on all matters pertaining to Single Adults, Adult Families, and Families with Children.

- Administer the provision of shelter and related social services to Single Adults, Adult Families and Families with Children in both the directly operated and contracted facilities throughout the city and ensure compliance with court orders.

- Manage and administratively control the shelter contracting process, including the budgeting, financial and legal aspects.

- Execute cutting edge best practices in homeless services delivery relating to Adults/Shelter Operations and cutting-edge best practices of homeless service delivery to determine effectiveness and organizational applicability.

Hours/Schedule: Monday – Friday 8am- 4pm (based on 24/7 coverage)

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and four years of progressively responsible experience, in a large governmental agency, business firm, civic or community organization operating in the area of social services, including one year at the administrative or managerial level; or

2. Education and/or experience equivalent to "1" above. Graduate education or a license may substitute for up to a maximum of three years of experience in the area of social services, but not for the one year of experience at the administrative or managerial level as described in "1" above, as follows:

(A) A master’s degree from an accredited college or university in accounting, business, child welfare, counseling, economics, education, finance, human resources, labor relations, management, management science, nursing, operations research, organizational behavior, personnel or public administration, political science, psychology, sociology, social work, statistics, and/or urban studies may substitute for two years of experience; and/or

(B) Graduate education beyond the baccalaureate degree may be substituted at the rate of 30 semester credits from an accredited college or university in the area(s) listed in “2(A)” above for each year of experience up to a maximum of three years; or

(C) A valid New York State Registration as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW) may substitute for three years of experience.

However, all candidates must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and one year of experience at the administrative or management level as described in "1" above.

- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. - Previous experience managing and resolving conflict. - Able to manage multiple projects and work in a fast-paced environment. - Previous experience working with the homeless.

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.

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/.

New York City Residency is not required for this position

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.

Apply Shortlist

ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER