Director, PEA Compliance Unit

IMPORTANT NOTE:

ONLY CANDIDATES WITH A PERMANENT ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER CIVIL SERVICE TITLE WILL BE CONSIDERED. PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR EMPLOYEE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (EIN) WHEN APPLYING AND INDICATE IN YOUR COVER LETTER YOUR PERMANENT CIVIL SERVICE TITLE.

The NYC Department of Finance (DOF) is responsible for administering the tax revenue laws of the city fairly, efficiently, and transparently to instill public confidence and encourage compliance while providing exceptional customer service.

The Property Exemptions Administration (PEA) oversees and executes property tax benefits for a diverse array of entities and individuals. PEA's core responsibilities encompass the examination, processing, and management of applications for exemptions and abatements. These benefits extend to commercial and industrial properties, residential multi-family construction, new one- to two-family construction, government entities, and non-profits, as well as renters and homeowners, including members of the clergy, seniors, people with disabilities, and veterans. PEA is committed to ensuring the accessibility of property tax benefits for all eligible constituents.

The Property Division ("Property") bears the responsibility of valuing more than one million properties within the City of New York. This results in the creation of an annual Assessment Roll. Property also manages and processes applications for various exemptions and abatements granted to commercial properties, industrial properties, residential multi-family construction, new 1-2 family construction, government entities and non-profits, individual property owners, and renters. Oversight of assessments and valuations in a fair and equitable manner falls under the purview of the Office of the Deputy Commissioner. This office also ensures proper administration of exemptions and abatements.

This position encompasses a dual role, where the chosen candidate will serve as a key member of the senior management team within the Property Division. Reporting directly to the Deputy Commissioner, the candidate will contribute to the development of divisional policies and procedures while providing oversight and leadership to ensure compliance with rules, regulations, and governance within the Property Exemption Administration Division (PEA).

The selected candidate will collaborate closely with the Deputy Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner of Property Exemptions Administration, and other senior staff across the Property Division. They will also work alongside various PEA units to drive improved management practices, mitigate risks, enhance efficiency, and deliver exceptional customer service. Responsibilities of this role include reviewing business activities, managing taxpayer appeals, coordinating audit inquiries, generating comprehensive reports, and ensuring adherence to DOF policies and statutory requirements. This position directly oversees a staff of seven.

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Operational Analysis & Process Enhancement

• Identify opportunities for enhancing efficiency and productivity by analyzing operational issues and presenting practical solutions.

• Collaborate with the PEA-Data Analytics Unit to develop and monitor internal and external reports, ensuring accurate and timely information for PEA.

• Collaborate with the PEA's Property Tax System (PTS) team to ensure seamless integration and adherence to new operational workflows.

• Develop risk mitigation strategies and create effective communication documents to keep stakeholders informed.

• Regularly review and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) within PEA units to maintain current and effective processes.

• Work closely with stakeholders and technical teams to identify and document detailed requirements, process flows, and data sources.

External Relations & Compliance Management

• Act as the primary point of contact and liaison for external communications, collaborating with Finance's offices, City, State, County, Federal agencies, and the public.

• Serve as the main contact and liaison to the Tax Lien Sale Unit, evaluating exemption benefits and making determinations on lien sale cancellations.

• Act as the primary contact and liaison with the Internal Audit Division (IA) for both internal and external audits.

• Provide data analysis, coordinate corrective actions, and respond to audit findings.

• Provide recommendations for policy changes based on regulatory developments and internal audit analysis.

• Ensure timely implementation of audit recommendations and compliance with established policies and procedures.

Internal Quality Assurance & Investigations

• Investigate and address cases referred by the Office of Tax Advocacy, Tax Commission Office, PEA Customer Service Unit, and Property Valuation and Assessment, related to fraud or ineligible benefit recipients.

• Conduct random sampling of benefit programs through internal audits, utilizing statistical analysis and data modeling to ensure compliance with policies and procedures.

• Conduct reviews of eligibility determinations and facilitate appeals for Senior and Disabled Benefit programs, including Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption/Disabled Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE/DRIE) and Cooperative/Condominium (CCA) homeowner abatements, ensuring compliance and accuracy.

Administrative Support

• Perform various tasks as assigned, such as coordinating responses to correspondence, facilitating resolutions for taxpayer issues, and providing support for Personal Services (PS) and Other Than Personal Services (OTPS) operations.

• Assist in the implementation of specific exemption programs, including Senior Citizen Homeowners Exemption recipients in Mitchell-Lama complexes and recipients of Eligible Funds Veterans benefits, ensuring their proper administration.

Minimum Qualifications

1.A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and four years of satisfactory, full-time progressively responsible clerical/administrative experience requiring independent decision-making concerning program management or planning, allocation for resources and the scheduling and assignment of work, 18 months of which must have been in an administrative, managerial, executive or supervisory capacity. The supervisory work must have been in the supervision of staff performing clerical/administrative work of more than moderate difficulty; or

2.An associate degree or 60 semester credits from an accredited college and five years of satisfactory, full-time progressively responsible experience as described in "1" above, 18 months of which must have been in an administrative, managerial, executive or supervisory capacity. The supervisory work must have been in the supervision of staff performing clerical/administrative work of more than moderate difficulty; or

3.A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and six years of

satisfactory, full-time progressively responsible experience as described in "1"

above, 18 months of which must have been in an administrative, managerial,

executive or supervisory capacity. The supervisory work must have been in the

supervision of staff performing clerical/administrative work of more than

moderate difficulty; or

4.Education and/or experience equivalent to "1", "2" or "3" above. However, all

candidates must possess the 18 months of administrative, managerial, executive or supervisory experience as described in "1", "2" or "3" above. Education above

the high school level may be substituted for the general clerical/administrative

experience (but not for the administrative, managerial, executive or supervisory

experience described in "1", "2" or "3" above) at a rate of 30 semester credits

from an accredited college for 6 months of experience up to a maximum of 3½

years.

Preferred Skills

• Knowledge of exemption administration, property valuation and tax mapping.

• Extensive experience in compliance, governance, and regulatory requirements.

• Strong knowledge of property exemptions, abatements, and tax benefit programs.

• Familiarity with New York State Real Property Tax Laws governing exemptions and abatements

• Project management. Managed proven successful projects that may fall out of the scope of regular duties.

• Experience managing multiple projects in a high-pressure work environment. A proven ability to manage competing priorities simultaneously.

• Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines by setting priorities. A proven ability to manage competing priorities simultaneously.

• Excellent organizational, management, leadership, analytical and critical thinking skills.

• Excellent communication, verbal, written, and presentation skills.

• Ability to liaise and collaborate with agency's operational, administrative, and managerial staff.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Experience with making data-driven decisions.

• Demonstrated leadership and strategic thinking abilities.

• Demonstrate skills managing confidential, urgent, and sensitive employee information and records.

• Experience handling appeals, investigations, and audit processes.

• Proficiency in data analysis and reporting.

• Proficient in MS Office, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

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 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.

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.