Parking Summons Case Advocate

Department-of-Finance; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The NYC Department of Finance (DOF) is seeking a Parking Summons Case Advocate to assist the public with parking and camera summons disputes. The role involves researching, advocating for clients, and guiding them through hearings and appeals.

Reporting to the Taxpayer Advocate, you will interact with DOF staff, council offices, and community partners to resolve issues and identify systemic improvements while maintaining case management and client service standards.

Qualifications

• A baccalaureate degree and two years of related community work or similar experience.
• High school graduation with six years of related experience also acceptable.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Conduct interviews with respondents and gather information for hearings.
• Explain dispute procedures and advise on appeal rights.
• Counsel respondents on penalties and payment methods after hearings.
• Liaise with DOF offices, elected officials, and community partners on cases.
• Research and identify systemic issues; recommend changes to processes.
• Maintain a case management system for inquiries and actions.
• Prepare data for reports required by the Commissioner or statute.
• Travel to DOF centers as needed to perform duties.
• Meet with respondents via in person, phone, email, and web conference.

Skills

Excellent communication

Interacting with diverse backgrounds

Education

Bachelor's degree + 2 years experience

High school diploma + 6 years experience

Equivalent combination with required experience

Job description

The NYC Department of Finance (DOF) is responsible for administering the tax revenue laws of the city fairly, efficiently, and transparently to instill public confidence and encourage compliance while providing exceptional customer service. DOF’s Office of the Taxpayer & Parking Summons Advocate is an independent office within DOF that is charged with ensuring and promoting fairness and integrity in the parking summons dispute resolution process. Reporting directly to the commissioner of the Department of Finance, the Office of the Taxpayer & Parking Summons Advocate serves members of the public who wish to dispute, or have disputed, their parking summonses. It is responsible for bridging the gap between the public and DOF staff involved in the adjudication of parking summonses. The Office of the Parking Summons Advocate offers an excellent opportunity for a well-organized and motivated individual to serve as a Parking Summons Case Advocate. The ideal candidate will assist members of the public with parking and camera summons-related issues and complaints, conduct research, and provide effective case advocacy and resolution. The Parking Summons Case Advocate will provide technical and procedural guidance to individuals seeking to dispute parking and camera summonses. The position will also involve interacting with NYC Council members and representatives from the offices of elected officials regarding matters referred to the Office. Responsibilities include investigating, researching, and responding to complaints and inquiries related to parking summonses, camera violations, the adjudication process, and other related matters. The Case Advocate will identify and analyze systemic issues arising from these inquiries and liaise with DOF business units to address and resolve difficult cases and resolve complex problems. Reporting directly to the Taxpayer Advocate, the selected candidate’s duties and responsibilities will include, but not be limited to the following:

• Conduct interviews with respondents, gather relevant information for hearings and appeals, and explain the procedure for disputing summonses and policies.
• Communicate and explain actions taken to respondents, referencing applicable laws, regulations, and procedures, and advise them of their available appeal rights.
• Counsel respondents on penalties and payment methods after hearings and appeals are conducted.
• Advocate for motorists with DOF operating/functional offices and divisions, to resolve issues with obvious administrative defects.
• Liaise between respondents, offices of elected officials, community partners, and DOF business operations on individual cases and broader parking and adjudications issues.
• Research, investigate, and identify complaints and recurrent systemic issues within DOF and external agency processes, procedures, and standards. As necessary, confer with the Taxpayer Advocate concerning issues that may be stemming from other government agencies. Make recommendations for systemic change.
• Participate in activities to provide guidance to targeted audiences on case advocacy, case criteria and delegated authorities. Participate in internal and external community-based training, education, projects, and initiatives, as needed.
• Maintain a case management system with respect to inquiries handled.
• Compile, prepare, and analyze data to assist the Taxpayer Advocate in any periodic reports required by the Commissioner, by statute, or otherwise.
• Travel to DOF business centers in all boroughs as needed to perform Parking Summons Advocate unit duties.
• Meet with respondents in person, by telephone, via email, and web conference, to perform advocacy duties.
• Keep abreast of relevant parking and camera violation laws, rules, regulations, and agency rules, regulations, and changes thereto.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional Information: In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. This position may be eligible for remote work up to 2 days per week, pursuant to the Remote Work Pilot Program agreed between the City and the Collective Bargaining Unit representing employees serving in the civil service title.

COMMUNITY COORDINATOR - 56058

Minimum Qualifications

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties described above; or 2. High school graduation or equivalent and six years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties as described above; or 3. Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must have at least one year of experience as described in "1" above.

Preferred Skills

• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate and interact with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

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.