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 NYC Department of Homeless Services 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, the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) works to prevent homelessness before it occurs, reduce street homelessness, and assist New Yorkers to transition from shelter into appropriate permanent housing.

The Office of Program Development and Implementation in collaboration with the Department of Social Services’ (DSS) Office of Policy, Procedures and Training (OPPT), will be responsible for planning, assessing, and implementing program policies, procedures, and related training for the Department of Homeless Services (DHS). This role is essential to the successful execution of a large portfolio of complex projects which requires formal policies, procedures and training are in place for all divisions within the Agency and that these policies, procedures, and training courses align with the Agency’s mission and comply with Federal, State and City laws and regulations, and court orders.


The Department of Homeless Services (DHS) is recruiting for one (1) Administrative Director of Social Services M-IV to serve as Assistant Commissioner who will:

- Oversee the implementation of policies and procedures toward the goal of improving clients’ access to and overall delivery of homeless services.

- Coordinate with DHS division leadership to identify areas requiring further policy and procedure development and ensure successful implementation of DHS policies and procedures across and within all divisions.

- Capitalize on existing best practices to influence models of service delivery. Introduce productivity enhancement protocols and incorporate templates for standardizing procedural implementation across Agency programs. Include coordinating with DSS’ Office of Information Technology Services (ITS) on database enhancements wherever appropriate.

- Coordinate with DHS leadership and DSS offices to mobilize resources, as deemed necessary, according to identified priorities to further positive outcomes for clients and programs, including those managed by contracted providers, and other City, State, and Federal Agencies.

- Ensure compliance with policy directives through the establishment and maintenance of quality assurance measures in conjunction with DHS division leadership.

- Coordinate procedure and training implementation in conjunction with DSS’ Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) to ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and administrative directives.

- Strengthen and streamline data monitoring practices across divisions through the support of DSS’ Office of Performance Management and Data Analytics (OPMDA).

- Collaborate in the development and interpretation of qualitative and quantitative analysis from DSS’ Office of Evaluation and research (OER) whenever necessary.

- Work closely with DSS’ Office of Disability Affairs (ODA) to best serve applicants and clients with disabilities, ensuring compliance with regulations and court settlements.

- Coordinate with DSS’ Office of Communications as appropriate to develop strategic communication initiatives to strengthen implementation efforts and ensure standardization of operations and client engagement best practices.

- Monitor Federal, State and City laws, regulations, proposed legislation, and policies that impact upon DHS' objectives and programs.

- Manage the implementation of policies and procedures needed to organize and maintain the effective operation of program areas, as intended.

Work Location: 33 Beaver St New York, NY.
Hours/Schedule: Monday – Friday 9AM-5PM with 24/7 on-call availability.

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.

- Dynamic leadership skills and a proven track record of accomplishments in the management of complex social service programs. - Excellent critical thinking and strategic planning skills with a proven ability to create, develop, and implement agency policies and procedures. - Proven ability to lead and oversee large-scale operations effectively and bring about wholescale and sustainable improvements. - Expertise in services for all homeless populations, including evidenced based practices of case management and service delivery. - Ability to effectively represent the agency at external meetings, conferences, key public events and forums.

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.