Deputy Director, Housing Court Unit

The Homelessness Prevention Administration (HPA) works to keep New Yorkers in their homes. HPA works with the Department of Homeless Services (DHS), the NYC Housing Authority (NYCHA) and many other organizations and City agencies to assist families and individuals in need in obtaining and maintaining stable, affordable housing.

The Rental Assistance Unit (RAU) assists in the prevention of homelessness and provides grants under certain conditions to New Yorkers facing housing emergencies, to prevent evictions. Payments are generally made for rent arrears or new apartment expenses and may also be made for mortgage and property tax arrears.

RAU may also cover other expenses related to the emergency, such as moving costs. RAU's overall goals are to prevent evictions, and to help applicants/participants remain in their homes. RAU requests for emergency rental assistance (including requests for assistance with necessary moves) received from the HDUs and in some cases, from regular Center staff and advocates. These requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis in accordance with NYS regulations/guidelines and HRA policy and procedures.

Under the direction of the Director of Rental Assistance Unit/Housing Court Liaison Units, with latitude for independent judgment, initiative and decision-making, the Deputy Director is responsible for managing daily activities of the Housing Court Component and Housing Court Initiatives.

HPA/ HCU is recruiting for one (1) Administrative Job Specialists to function as a Deputy Director, Housing Court Unit who will:

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage the activities of the Housing Court Consultants; oversees the reviewing of all court affidavits, policy directives, and operational guides relating to homelessness issues to design, implement and direct new initiatives and coordinate efforts to respond to changes in policies as mandated by court and/or new regulations.

• Collaborate with attorneys for landlords, tenants, and with Housing Court judges to facilitate, expedite and negotiate the best course of action to prevent evictions; oversee the negotiation process with landlords and attorneys on reduction of rent arrears and monthly rent as well as timeframes for payment.

• Act as the principal representative and spokesperson of the agency at the Housing Courts and Community Justice Centers in the absence of the Director; responds to elected officials who raise concerns over specific housing assistance cases.

• Direct audits of unit's operations and monitors the performance and evaluation of staff; train staff on new directives and initiatives that is consistent with on-going program assessment, interpretation, and implementation of agency policies and procedures. Complete reports on housing court activity.

• Represent the unit at meetings with HRA Office of Legal Affairs, the Mayor's Office, City, State, and Federal agencies on problems related to homelessness prevention.

Minimum Qualifications

Qualification Requirements

1.A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, plus four years of satisfactory full-time experience performing work related to providing employment related services or economic support services to persons in need, at least eighteen months of this experience must have been in a supervisory or managerial capacity; or

2.A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and eight years of full-time experience equivalent to "1" above; at least eighteen months of this experience must have been in a supervisory or managerial capacity; or

3.Education and/or experience equivalent to "1" or "2" above. College credits from an accredited college or university may be substituted for experience on the basis of 30 semester credits for one year; year of work experience. However, all candidates must have at least a four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and at least eighteen months of experience must have been in a supervisory or managerial capacity as described in "1" above.

55a Program

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.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

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/

Residency Requirement

New York City Residency is not required for this position

Additional Information

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.