Compliance & Risk Management Operations Specialist

About the Agency:

The New York City Department of Housing Preservation Development (HPD) promotes quality and affordability in the city's housing, and diversity and strength in the city’s neighborhoods because every New Yorker deserves a safe, affordable place to live in a neighborhood they love. 

• We maintain building and resident safety and health 
• We create opportunities for New Yorkers through housing affordability 
• We engage New Yorkers to build and sustain neighborhood strength and diversity. 

HPD is entrusted with fulfilling these objectives through the goals and strategies of “Housing Our Neighbors: A Blueprint for Housing and Homelessness,” Mayor Adams’ comprehensive housing framework. To support this important work, the administration has committed $5 billion in new capital funding, bringing the 10-year planned investment in housing to $22 billion—the largest in the city’s history. This investment, coupled with a commitment to reduce administrative and regulatory barriers, is a multi-pronged strategy to tackle New York City’s complex housing crisis, by addressing homelessness and housing instability, promoting economic stability and mobility, increasing homeownership opportunities, improving health and safety, and increasing opportunities for equitable growth.

 Your Team

The Operations Specialist will play a key policy and operational role for the new Office of Compliance & Risk Management (CRM). This Office is centralizing various compliance, oversight, and hearing functions from across the agency critical to ensure fairness, consistency, and equity in both our external and internal engagement. CRM will collaborate with programs across HPD to ensure the agency and its partners comply with laws (federal, state, and city), regulatory requirements, policies, and procedures. The Office includes the following Divisions and units:

• Adjudications
• Economic Opportunity & Regulatory Compliance
• Public Information
• Audit Support  

Your Impact

CRM will be responsible for coordinating the agency’s compliance programs, liaising with the units and staff responsible for relevant compliance responsibilities, audit responses, site standard adherence for financed construction work, public-facing appeals and hearings, and managing risk for the agency. The Operations Specialist will have the opportunity to use their skills and expertise to facilitate efficient and effective compliance efforts within CRM and support compliance functions throughout the agency. This role will also provide a unique opportunity to help build out a new office, strengthen agency compliance culture, and ensure compliance is seamlessly integrated into HPD program administration and operations.

Your Role

Reporting to the CRM Chief of Staff, the Operations Specialist will support CRM program operations and reporting, identify areas of risk or vulnerability, and provide technical assistance to compliance staff throughout the agency. The person in this role will work closely and liaise with all the Offices within HPD, including Legal Affairs, Policy & Strategy, Finance & Administration, Development, Housing Access & Stability, Asset & Property Management, and Neighborhood Strategies.

Your Responsibilities

The Operations Specialist is responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations of CRM to facilitate efficient and effective compliance efforts within all parts of the Office. Under direction from the Chief of Staff, this role will manage personnel, budget, contract, and logistical support to the office. In addition to these CRM operational functions, this role will have a portfolio of data, reporting, and systems-driven projects and take on critical or time-sensitive special projects, as needed. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Provide CRM analytic support including technology/system needs. This includes identifying data and systems gaps and working with the appropriate stakeholders like HPD Tech, Strategic Operations & Analytics, and other to coordinate and more forward data and tech needs.
• Establish, enhance, and/or maintain internal risk metrics, encouraging a data- and insights-driven culture within CRM to inform policies and operation for improved compliance efforts.
• Assist programs throughout the agency to create, draft, and/or strengthen policies and procedures for improved continuity and consistency within compliance practices.
• Work with CRM leadership to build and maintain a broad network of staff throughout HPD who do or are interested in compliance work.
• Assist the Chief Compliance Officer with special compliance projects as needed.

Preferred Skills

The ideal candidate will be an inquisitive self-starter and problem-solver who is eager to strengthen their leadership skills and use their expertise to set the foundation for long term compliance and a risk management framework. They must be curious and flexible with the following skills:

• At least three years in a program design and/or management role, specifically with experience related to managing a budget, finance, human resources, performance management, and/or other program operations.
  • Demonstrated success with the implementation of program metrics and reporting.
  • Demonstrated understanding of how high-level legislation or policy can impact operations.
• Experience interpreting legislation and/or legal documents
• Strong attention to detail and excellent organizational and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to balance a variety of projects and priorities for a fast-paced, high-volume workload
• Collaborative team player with strong interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written)
• Passion for public service with a commitment to ensuring effective management of and adherence to policies, procedures, and requirements

Minimum Qualifications 

Candidates will need to meet the civil service requirements of City Research Scientist Level 2.

1. A doctorate degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological, environmental or social science and one year full-time experience in a responsible, administrative or research capacity in the appropriate field of specialization; or
2. A master’s degree from an accredited college or university with a specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological, environmental or social science and three years of responsible full-time research experience in the appropriate field of specialization; or
3. Education and/or experience which is equivalent to “1” or “2” above. However, all candidates must have at least a master’s degree in an appropriate field of specialization and at least two years of experience described in “2” above. Two years as a City Research Scientist Level 1 can be substituted for the experience required in “1” and “2” above.

Please submit a cover letter as part of your application.

Note: This position is eligible for remote work up to two days per week, pursuant to the Remote Work Pilot Program agreed to between the City and DC37. 

Additional Information:

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.

In addition, the Department of Housing Preservation & Development offers competitive salaries and the following benefits: Generous Pension Plans (The New York Employees' Retirement System); 401(k) and Roth 457(k) Retirement Savings Programs; U.S. Savings Bonds Flexible Spending Program; Health Benefits, Dental, Vision Coverage, Prescription Drug Program; Training and Professional Development; Opportunity for Scholarship; ‘College Savings Program; Paid Holidays and Generous Annual Leave.

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 StudentAid.gov/PSLF.

HPD's vision is to promote strength and diversity in our workforce and an inclusive and equitable work environment.