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

The Street Homeless Solutions (SHS) Division runs a continuum of programs that help move street homeless clients from the street and into transitional and permanent housing. The programs include Outreach, Safe Haven, Stabilization Beds and Drop-In programs. The program contracts outreach providers in New York City in every borough and within the subway system. The Joint Command Center (JCC), a unit within the division, conducts interagency rapid outreach deployment from a central location using precision mapping, client information, and rapid response to incoming notifications. This initiative partners existing homeless response and prevention programs with a series of new initiatives that have been designed to better identify, engage, and transition homeless New Yorkers to appropriate services and, ultimately, permanent housing.

The Department of Homeless Services is (DHS) recruiting for one (1) Administrative Director of Social Services NM-II to function as a Director of Housing, who will:

- Oversee divisions housing initiatives. Specialize with focusing on client substance abuse and mental illness history, locating suitable housing initiatives, and assisting the transition of clients into housing.

- Take the lead as a key representative for the Street Homeless Solutions Division, concerning capacity and rehousing.

- Initiate and conducting administrative planning and projects to improve efficiency. Assist in the development and implementation of departmental policies and procedures.

- Report on programmatic issues to maximize division and agency efficiency. Provide administrative direction and strategic guidance regarding the division’s capacity and rehousing packages to the programs executive level staff.

- Manage divisions rehousing. Laisse between DHS Rehousing Unit and providers to ensure clients are submitting packages. Reports on programmatic issues to maximize efficiency. Providing administrative direction and strategic guidance regarding the application of procedures and regulations pertaining to housing packages.

- Track providers with low housing package rates. Meeting with Site Directors to discuss statistics and develop corrective action plans.

- Ensure housing packages are being completed. Provide support when troubleshooting issues are not being resolved.

- Participate in case conferencing with clients, specifically when clients are no shows. Assisting in tracking client movements from emergency beds to other placements.

- Chair workgroups to devise strategies to introduce efficiencies and to successfully implement agency initiatives.

- Lead /represent DHS in inter/intra agency meetings.

- Supervise subordinate staff.

- Implement data-driven strategies to assess the needs, track program outcomes, and continuously improve outreach efforts. Monitor program effectiveness, regularly reporting on key performance indicators and recommending adjustments to enhance outcomes.

Hours/Schedule: (1) Monday – Friday 9AMx5PM

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and four years of progressively responsible experience, including one year at the administrative or managerial level in a large governmental agency, business firm, civic or community organization operating in the area of social services; or

2. Education and/or experience equivalent to "1" above. However, all candidates must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and the one year of experience at the administrative or management level as described in "1" above.

- Experience working amongst homeless populations. - Thorough knowledge of housing placement options and clinical services for homeless individuals - Knowledge of NYS Mental Health Laws

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.