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 New York City Department of Homeless Services (DHS) is the largest organization in the United States dedicated to preventing and addressing homelessness. In partnership with other City Agencies and Nonprofit Organizations, DHS works to prevent homelessness before it begins, reduces street homelessness, provide temporary shelter, and connect individuals and families to stable housing all with a focus on accountability, empathy, and equity.

DHS is committed to continuous improvement and employs innovative strategies to deliver high-quality services that support a swift transition from shelter to self-sufficiency. The agency manages hundreds of facilities and operates with a large team as well as a several billion-dollar budget to meet the diverse needs of New Yorkers experiencing homelessness.

The Division of Shelter Operations oversees the day-to-day operations of the agency’s Single Adult, Adulty Families and Families with Children shelter systems, both directly run and contracted providers. The work done in this Division centers on the re-housing of all shelter populations and the implementation of programming/shelter initiatives. This Division is responsible for making sure that services to the City’s most vulnerable population are delivered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year and throughout the five boroughs.

The Deputy Commissioner provides executive leadership, strategic direction, and operational management. This role focuses on improving system performance by reducing clients’ length of stay in shelter, increasing permanent housing placements, and ensuring compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local mandates. The Deputy Commissioner also leads cross-sector partnerships and interagency coordination to advance program goals. This position oversees a substantial portion of the Division’s $400 million annual budget and directly supervises a segment of the Division’s approximately 500 staff members, with an emphasis on accountability, performance improvement, and client-centered outcomes.

The Department of Homeless Services (DHS) is recruiting for one (1) Administrative Director of Social Services M-VI to function as a Deputy Commissioner who will:

- Provide strategic and operational leadership over Single Adult and Adult Family shelter programs, ensuring efficient, compliant, and outcome-driven operations. Oversee initiatives to accelerate permanent housing placements and reduce shelter dependency.

- Advise DHS leadership on shelter operations policies related to the Singles and Adult Families portfolio. Implement system-wide strategies aligned with City initiatives to reduce adult homelessness.

- Lead collaborative efforts with DHS units, DSS/HRA, HPD, DOHMH-VA-HH, and community partners to enhance service delivery and improve housing outcomes for single adults and adult families.

- Manage performance tracking tools to monitor shelter utilization, housing placements, and provider performance in adult-serving programs. Ensure corrective actions and accountability mechanisms are in place.

- Represent DHS in public and interagency forums concerning adult shelter operations, including City Council, community boards, and advocacy organizations.

- Cultivate a high-performing and mission-driven team culture focused on quality service delivery, equity, and innovation.

Hours/Schedule: Mon-Friday 8:00 am – 4pm Based on 24/7 coverage.

ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR OF SOC - 10056

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.

- Experience in managing and directing multiple programs interfacing with high level executives, city officials and community leaders. - Exceptional oral and written communication skills to effectively convey the agency vision to staff, providers, and the public and a demonstrated ability to achieve desired outcomes. - Working knowledge of New York City and State regulations that govern DHS. - Experience working with homeless individuals and/or families. - Ability to assess the impact of policies and procedures and plan proactively to ensure systems can efficiently support initiatives. - Extensive experience in social services, health, or other human services operations and administration. - Strong writing, analytical skills, and ability to develop policy guidelines and best practice models for new initiatives.

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.