EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL INITIATIVES

NYC Department of Social Services; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

NYC Department of Social Services seeks a Director of Management Design to serve as Executive Director of Special Initiatives. You will oversee program areas, guide agency policy, and coordinate with HRA, DHS, and external partners.

The role includes supervising staff, guiding multi-year plans, and ensuring timely implementation of initiatives. Responsibilities include data reporting, contract review, and leading emergency preparedness for special services.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent required with four years of progressively responsible experience in project management or related field.
• Experience supervising staff and managing programs or projects is required.
• Strong analytical and data interpretation skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Oversee assigned program areas and agency-wide projects under the Chief Special Services Officer.
• Advise on agency policy, program design, and client issues; review documentation and contracts.
• Provide oversight of COVID-19 testing, vaccination, and public health responses where needed.

Skills

Project management

Policy analysis

Supervisory experience

Data analysis

Stakeholder coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

The Department of Social Services (DSS) is comprised of the administrative units of the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) and the Department of Homeless Services (DHS).

HRA is dedicated to fighting poverty and income inequality by providing New Yorkers in need with essential benefits such as Food Assistance and Emergency Rental Assistance.

DHS is committed to preventing and addressing homelessness in New York City by employing a variety of innovative strategies to help families and individuals successfully exit shelter and return to self-sufficiency as quickly as possible.

Under the executive direction of the Office of the Chief Special Services Officer, the Executive Director will participate in the formulation and implementation of program policies and procedures and ensure that critical policy objectives and program operations are met and maintained in a timely, efficient manner for all program areas assigned by the Office of the Chief Special Services Officer.

Domestic Violence Services (DVS) is recruiting for one (1) Director of Management Design M-III to serve as the Executive Director of Special Initiatives, who will:

• Collaborate with the Office of the Chief Special Services Officer in overseeing assigned program areas and agencywide projects. Manage the impact of policy objectives, review process and operational improvements, and review related contracts. Recommend actions to alleviate problems and streamline processes.
• Manage and initiate the progress of projects and initiatives as assigned by the Office of the Chief Special Services Officer; advise the Office of the Chief Special Services Officer on Agency policy, program, and client issues; review Agency documents, procedures, and communication materials. Propose remedial processes and actions.
• Provide oversight of HRA’s lead testing and remediation in congregate housing facilities, including coordinating with DHS, DOHMH, and HPD to ensure health and safety of residents.
• Provide analysis and support for the development and amendment of multi-year plans and improvement strategies. Prepare summary reports on program data and recommend alternate courses of action based on what’s needed to meet the objective of the program(s).
• Support the Deputy Commissioners of Special Services, including but not limited to the development of long-term strategies for improvement on and achieving HRA milestones, providing recommendations on agency-wide policies, and identifying and resolving project-level and program-level problem areas.
• Provide supervisory oversight of HRA’s COVID-19 testing and vaccination at HRA’s congregate housing facilities, including referrals for isolation and quarantine. Coordinate HRA public health response with DOHMH when potential COVID clusters are identified.
• Represent the Office of the Chief Special Services Officer at meetings, work groups and community events, as needed; organize and facilitate meetings within DSS and with external parties including non-profit organizations and elected officials.
• Manage data collection, analysis, and reporting of key agency and divisional indicators.
• Oversee emergency preparedness activities for Special Services, including coordination of divisional response to public health and related emergencies.

Hours/Shift: 9:00am-17:00pm (Flexible)

DIRECTOR OF MANAGEMENT DESIGN - 95820

Minimum Qualifications

• A baccalaureate degree and four (4) years of full-time responsible experience in project management, management systems and development or related field, including one (1) year in a supervisory, administrative, consultative, managerial, or executive capacity; or
• Education and/or experience equivalent to "1" above. However, all candidates must have the one (1) year of specialized experience described in "1" above. Graduate studies in business administration or related fields may be substituted for the required general experience, on a year-for-year basis

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 generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

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.