The DSS Office of Research and Policy Innovation, (ORPI) informs high-level decision-making across DSS-HRA-DHS. The office is responsible for conducting policy analysis, research, and program evaluation, through rigorous research studies and evaluations, The Office of Evaluation and Research (OER; a unit within (ORPI), OER develops and analyzes the evidence base for HRA and DHS work and provides unbiased recommendations regarding priority issues and initiatives to the NYC Department of Social Services (DSS) Commissioner, the Human Resources Administration (HRA) and Department of Homeless Services (DHS) Administrations, the DSS Chief Program Planning and Financial Management Officer, and HRA and DHS program leadership. As the DSS policy analysis, research, and program evaluation unit, OER develops and analyzes the evidence base for HRA and DHS work, thus providing unbiased evidence-based recommendations to agency leadership. Staff bring an interdisciplinary lens to their work, drawing on a broad range of quantitative and qualitative social science research methods.

The Office of Evaluation and Research (OER) is recruiting for one (1) City Research Scientist II to function as a City Research Scientist who will support a large portfolio of program evaluations and research studies across the Agency, with a particular focus on social services.

The City Research Scientist will:

- Conduct outcome and impact evaluations of pilot programs and other priority interventions across a wide range of DSS/HRA/DHS program areas using rigorous experimental, quasi-experimental, and mixed methods designs.

- Implement policy and data research projects to address questions posed by program leadership and executive staff about agency operations and policies and the needs and experiences of our clients, staff, and other target populations.

- Work with large administrative sets, including data matching, data cleaning, and conducting bivariate and multivariate statistical analyses.

- Collect primary data in support of evaluation and research efforts, including drafting data collection instruments and consent processes and coordinating logistics for surveys, interviews, focus groups, and observations of client-staff interactions.

- Produce environmental scans and literature reviews, synthesizing existing research from the academic literature and external research organizations.

- Present findings at internal and external meetings, including national research conferences.


Work Location: 4 WTC

Hours/Schedule: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

CITY RESEARCH SCIENTIST - 21744

1. For Assignment Level I (only physical, biological and environmental sciences and public health) A master's degree from an accredited college or university with a specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological or environmental science or in public health.
To be appointed to Assignment Level II and above, candidates must have:
1. A doctorate degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological, environmental or social science and one year of full-time experience in a responsible supervisory, administrative or research capacity in the appropriate field of specialization; or
2. A master's degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological, environmental or social science and three years of responsible full-time research experience in the appropriate field of specialization; or
3. Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must have at least a master's degree in an appropriate field of specialization and at least two years of experience described in "2" above. Two years as a City Research Scientist Level I can be substituted for the experience required in "1" and "2" above.

NOTE:
Probationary Period
Appointments to this position are subject to a minimum probationary period of one year.

- Expertise in research and evaluation methods, including experience designing and implementing experimental and/or quasi-experimental program evaluations, preferably in the field of housing and homelessness. - Working knowledge of applied statistics and data analytics, including proficiency in a statistical software package (e.g., SPSS, Stata, R). - Experience analyzing large-scale survey or administrative data, such as the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. - Experience collecting and analyzing primary data through surveys, interviews, focus groups, and/or observations. - Experience disseminating research findings through written reports and presentations. - Working knowledge of federal and state social policies and programs related to housing and homelessness.

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 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.

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.