Review Vacancy
The date on which the vacancy post was submitted.Date Posted 01/14/25
The last date that applications will be accepted.Applications Due01/29/25
This is the unique identifier for this vacancy.Vacancy ID178271
Indicates whether if this vacancy posting is part of the NY HELPS Program.NY HELPNo
The agency in which the vacancy exists.AgencyHuman Rights, Division of
The job title for the vacancy.TitleDirector: Source of Income Discrimination Early Intervention and Enforcement Unit
The job title for the vacancy.Occupational CategoryNo Preference
The salary grade for this vacancy. Salaries are determined by salary grade and bargaining unit.Salary GradeNS
The collective bargaining unit to which this vacancy is assigned.Bargaining UnitM/C - Managerial/Confidential (Unrepresented)
The minimum and maximum of the salary range for this vacancy.Salary RangeFrom $140000 to $150000 Annually
Indicates whether this job is full-time or part-time. If the job is part-time, an estimated percentage will be provided. Employment Type Full-Time
This indicates the type of job, typically permanent, temporary, or provisional. 'Provisional' means that the appointment will be temporary until the incumbent takes and passes an appropriate civil service examination. Appointment Type Temporary
Estimates the percentage of time incumbents of this vacancy will be required to travel. Travel Percentage 20%
This provides information on the expected workweek. Workweek Mon-Fri
The number of hours in the workweek, typically 37.5 or 40 for full time, or any other number for part time.Hours Per Week 37.5
Workday
If checked, the agency allows flextime. Flextime allowed? No
If checked, this vacancy includes mandatory overtime. Mandatory overtime? No
If checked, this agency allows compressed workweek scheduling. Compressed workweek allowed? No
If checked, this agency allows telecommuting for this position. Telecommuting allowed? Yes
The county in which the vacancy is located. County Bronx
The street address where the vacancy is located. Street Address One Fordham Plaza, 4th Floor
The city where the vacancy is located. City Bronx
The state where the vacancy is located (the default is New York). StateNY
The zip code where the vacancy is located. Zip Code10458
The duties that the incumbent of the vacancy will be expected to perform. Duties Description New York State adopted an amendment to the New York Executive Law § 296(5)(a)(1), enacted on April 12, 2019, to prohibit housing discrimination based on lawful sources of income in all communities’ statewide, including whether their rent is fully or partially paid by a federal Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (“HCV”). The New York State Division of Human Rights (“DHR”) has enforcement authority for this law and is now seeking a dynamic leader for a newly formed Source of Income Discrimination Early Intervention and Enforcement Unit (“the SOI Unit”). This new team will bolster the State’s efforts to ensure that HCV recipients can locate housing without being discriminated against based on their source of income. The SOI Unit will intervene quickly to educate landlords and real estate professionals while assisting voucher participants in securing rental housing free of discrimination. Governor Kathy Hochul highlighted this initiative in her 2024 State of the State address. DHR is establishing the SOI Unit in partnership with the NYS Housing Trust Fund Corp. (“HTFC”).
Under the direction of the Deputy Commissioner of Investigations, the Director of the SOI Unit is responsible for planning, executing, and managing a new team operating within DHR. The Director shall take the lead in hiring staff, developing policies and procedures, and establishing operations for a team of 10-20 employees. They shall plan for and coordinate all outreach, enforcement and prevention activities, and will be accountable for outcomes related to this initiative.
Primary duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
• Hire, train and supervise a team of investigators and outreach specialists to engage residential landlords and assist participants who hold Section 8 HCVs in obtaining safe and suitable housing; establish an organizational chart and develop minimum qualifications and job descriptions for each employee; Set individual and team goals and review employee performance.
• Recommend a yearly budget for the SOI Unit; approve staffing and other expenses in compliance with applicable federal and state requirements; liaison with staff from HTFC to coordinate expense approval procedures, procurements, budgeting, hiring, etc.
• Draft policies and procedures for the SOI Unit; Implement a training plan for staff and revise procedures as necessary.
• In conjunction with the Deputy Commissioner of External Affairs for DHR, develop promotional and informational materials about the initiative to be provided to the public, families, stakeholders, vulnerable persons and elected leaders.
• Develop an outreach and education campaign to inform the public about the state’s Source of Income Discrimination law and how to report potential violations; engage the NYS Office of General Services and other partners to initiate a multi-media promotional campaign to reach target households.
• Cultivate relationships with state and local housing leaders; meet on a regular basis with nonprofit and government housing agencies to ensure responsiveness and coordinate referrals; educate housing providers and real estate professionals on the obligation of state law to accept Section 8.
• Establish and implement procedures for receiving and tracking complaints regarding potential SOI discrimination; review status of complaints with staff regularly; Supervise and consult on investigations and coordinate engagement with landlords to enforce the law; Determine when legal action is required and initiate referrals; Monitor intake and jurisdictional assessments of claims relative to the Unit.
• Coordinate with the Housing Investigations Unit and Housing Litigation Unit within DHR to ensure that cases involving Section 8 are resolved appropriately.
• Ensure timely and appropriate response to complainants seeking relief from unlawful denial of their Section 8 vouchers; Expeditiously resolve complaints.
• Identify a data solution for accepting complaints on-line, and for managing and tracking case status; Coordinate with the NYS Office of Information Technology Services (“ITS”) to submit technology-related requests, including laptops, phones, application development, etc.
• Establish reporting templates and submit timely reports regarding outcomes to the HTFC and DHR leadership.
• Perform other functions as necessary.
The minimum qualifications required for this vacancy. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree and eight (8) years of relevant experience -or-
*Substitution: Six (6) years of experience with a relevant master’s degree, Ph.D. or Juris Doctorate.
The preferred candidate will have a law degree and be admitted to the NYS Bar. Additionally, the preferred candidate will have managerial experience engaging with housing advocates, attorneys and individuals in need of housing. The incumbent must have subject-matter expertise in fair housing law, strong organizational and logistical skills, the ability to track and measure multiple work products simultaneously, and experience in supporting historically marginalized populations.
Additional comments regarding the vacancy. Additional Comments When applying, please clearly outline how you meet the minimum qualifications as outlined above.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
The name of the contact person for this vacancy. Name Division of Human Rights/DP
The telephone number to use for questions about this vacancy. Telephone
The fax to use for this vacancy. Fax
Email address for emailing applications, or to ask questions about this vacancy. Email Address HRresume@dhr.ny.gov
Address
The street address of the contact for this vacancy. Street Agency Building One, Second Floor
Empire State Plaza
The city for the contact for this vacancy. City Albany
The state of the contact for this vacancy (the default is New York). State NY
The zip code for the contact for this vacancy. Zip Code 12205
Instructions for potential applicants.Notes on ApplyingPlease submit cover letter along with a clear and concise resume detailing how you meet the minimum qualifications for this position as listed in Specifics and indicate the Vacancy ID number for which you are applying.