About the Agency:

The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) is the nation’s largest municipal housing preservation and development agency. Its mission is to promote quality housing and diverse, thriving neighborhoods for New Yorkers through loan and development programs for new affordable housing, preservation of the affordability of the existing housing stock, enforcement of housing quality standards, and educational programs for tenants and building owners.

The Division of Housing Policy (DHP) conducts rigorous policy analysis, data analysis, research, and evaluation to promote sound and equitable housing policy to advance HPD’s mission in service of all New Yorkers. DHP analyzes proposed legislation, develops new policy and programs, supports efforts to reform existing policy and programs, and conducts long-term research. DHP is a fast-paced, engaged, and ambitious team at the intersection of many of the most important policy issues impacting New York City. Within DHP, the Policy Development and Special Initiatives unit (PDSI) serves agency and city leadership with insightful policy analysis and recommendations.

The Policy Advisor will report to the Executive Director of PDSI and will be engaged in high-level critical thinking and policy analysis and will coordinate with the Executive Director to ensure a high level of rigor and performance across all of PDSI’s work. They will also work alongside the Executive Director to ensure the team is investing in its members through exciting and engaging skill- and knowledge-building. The Policy Advisor will maximize the potential of the team as a collective and on an individual basis, improving the team’s efficiency and effectiveness.

Specifically, the Policy Advisor will do the following:
- Initiate and drive forward policy projects with a high degree of independence and accountability, proactively pulling in expertise and feedback as needed;
- Review PDSI draft and interim work products as needed, providing team members with insight and constructive criticism regarding readability, tone, and fit to goals of their policy projects;
- Coordinate the curation of skill-based training series, including designing sessions and gathering colleagues’ feedback;
- Organize thematic team outings, connecting PDSI analytical work to the impacts of policy changes on NYC’s neighborhoods and housing stock;
- Represent PDSI or DHP at working groups as needed;
- Other initiatives as needed under the direction of the Executive Director or Division leadership.

PDSI staff learn and employ new skills or subject matter knowledge as projects require and the Policy Advisor will have the opportunity to deepen or broaden their project management, analytical, and organizational skills. The ideal candidate will bring to the team their experience in policy analysis and development, along with knowledge of the NYC context and the desire to contribute to a collaborative team. PDSI colleagues and leadership will champion the professional development and growth of the Policy Advisor through individual guidance and support, including the joint creation of individualized goals and regular reflection on those goals with supervisors.

Preferred skills:

The ideal candidate will have the following:
- Very strong organizational skills, including when handling multiple competing deadlines and a combination of short- and long-term requests;
- Superior skills in meeting facilitation;
- Strong strategic thinking skills;
- Strong ability to communicate proactively, clearly, and persuasively in a variety of contexts;
- Strong collaborative skills, diplomacy, and tact when working with others;
- Strong ability to manipulate and analyze large datasets;
- Strong writing and editing skills;
- Creative and critical thinking skills;
- Confidence to share radical ideas in individual and team settings;
- Desire to be part of a high-performing, impactful team;
- A commitment to advancing equity for New Yorkers through public service.

1.A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and three years of full-time satisfactory professional experience in the development, appraisal, financing, negotiation, or disposition of real estate, or in real estate law, or in urban planning or analytical or coordination work related to housing programs; or

2. A four year high school diploma or its educational equivalent approved by a State's Department of Education or a recognized accrediting organization and seven years of full-time satisfactory experience as described in "1" above; or

3.A satisfactory combination of education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" or "2" above. Graduate study in the field of urban studies, city planning, business or public administration, finance, architecture, engineering or other related fields may be substituted for up to one year of the required experience on the basis of 30 credits equaling one year of experience. Graduation from an accredited law school may be substituted for one year of the required experience. However, all candidates must have at least two years of experience as described above.

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and three years of full-time satisfactory professional experience in the development, appraisal, financing, negotiation, or disposition of real estate, or in real estate law, or in urban planning or analytical or coordination work related to housing programs or 2. A four year high school diploma or its educational equivalent approved by a State's Department of Education or a recognized accrediting organization and seven years of full-time satisfactory experience as described in "1" above or 3. A satisfactory combination of education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" or "2" above. Graduate study in the field of urban studies, city planning, business or public administration, finance, architecture, engineering or other related fields may be substituted for up to one year of the required experience on the basis of 30 credits equaling one year of experience. Graduation from an accredited law school may be substituted for one year of the required experience. However, all candidates must have at least two years of experience as described above.

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 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.