JOB DESCRIPTION

The New York City Department of Correction (DOC) is an integral part of the City’s evolving criminal justice system, participating in reform initiatives and strategies aimed to move the city towards a smaller jail system without compromising public safety. The DOC is responsible for maintaining a safe and secure environment for our employees, visitors, volunteers, and people in our custody. Importantly, safe jails enable DOC to provide people in custody with the tools and opportunities they need to successfully re-enter their communities. The DOC operates facilities and court commands across the five boroughs with more than 7,500 diverse professionals and knowledgeable experts.

The DOC has a unique career opportunity for an experienced Executive Director in the Strategic Initiatives Unit. Strategic Initiatives was established to oversee priority operations to support strategic programs, reforms and measure performance for greater progress and accountability. Strategic Initiatives additionally identifies and leads large-scale innovative projects and reform initiatives in support of the Department’s mission, including the Borough-Based Jails (BBJ) project. In particular, the BBJ team is responsible for representing DOC’s interests in the unprecedented design and construction of multiple borough-based jail facilities in New York City and the transition planning logistics and policy development for these new facilities. The Executive Director of Borough-Based Jails will play a key leadership role in the planning and implementation of large-scale initiatives, including the BBJ project, as well as strategy and cross-team communication. The candidate will serve as the primary liaison with the NYC Department of Design and Construction as well as their contracted vendors on interrelated projects, ensuring high levels of internal coordination with respect to the BBJS and that significant departmental policies and operational initiatives are implemented in coordination with, and informed by the BBJS. The selected candidate’s responsibilities may include, but will not be limited to the following:

• Oversee the construction of four new correctional facilities in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx.
• Lead a growing team of experienced project managers, coordinators, construction specialists, and other staff;
• Manage and supervise large-scale capital construction projects, particularly the design and construction of multiple borough-based jail facilities.
• Coordinate with partner agencies, design-build teams, and stakeholders to ensure project goals are met.
• Review and approve complex trade work, including lighting, power, security systems, HVAC control systems, fire alarms, and electrical systems.
• Monitor project schedules, track progress, and ensure timely completion of all construction phases.
• Represent the Department of Correction in construction and engineering meetings with contractors, service delivery, regulatory, community meetings and oversight agencies.
• Identify and resolve problems with installations or quality, preparing relevant reports and documentation.
• Ensure compliance with minimum standards for care, custody, correction, treatment, and supervision, of all persons held in NYC correctional facilities.
• Collaborate with the Department of Design and Construction (DDC) and other city agencies to implement the Borough-Based Jails Program.
• Develop expertise in jail operations and correctional best practices to inform construction and programmatic decisions.
• Oversee site preparation, including environmental testing and infrastructure work.
• Ensure that new facilities are designed to support the goals of the Department of Correction.
• Perform special projects and other related duties as assigned.

Preferred Skills

• Master’s Degree from an accredited college in Project management, Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or a related field a plus;
• At least five years of executive management experience and knowledge of city government operations.
• In-depth understanding of construction procedures and material & project management principles.
• Knowledge of local construction regulations, permits, and approval processes. (DBOM, PPP, Design/Build, DCAS, DOB, FDNY, Community Board, SCOC, DEP, etc.).
• Working knowledge of design, construction, cost estimating and project management software such as MS Project, Bluebeam Revu, RS Means, etc.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software as needed to maintain reports, records, and budgets.
• Ability to be on-call, work after business hours and on weekends.
• Experience mentoring others, developing project and people management skills, and encouraging collaboration and cohesive teamwork.
• Superior organizational and multi-tasking skills, including the ability to take initiative and work independently on tasks with broadly defined objectives.
• An uncompromising commitment to quality, and the ability to develop communication strategies for all levels of staff
• Outstanding analytic, problem-solving, and creative thinking skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills along with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to successfully guide and manage multiple high-priority projects simultaneously.
• Strong understanding of correctional facility requirements.
• Ability to work quickly under pressure and strict deadlines while still ensuring a high-quality work product.
• Competent in conflict and crisis management.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate.
• Ability to retain confidential information.
• Eight years of full-time experience in construction, repair, alteration and/or rehabilitation of multiple dwellings, commercial, industrial or public buildings in the capacity of general contractor, superintendent of construction, procurement specialist, evaluator responsible for cost estimation, or as a field supervisor or as an inspector, at least 5 years focused on large scale complex projects, at least 18 months of which must have been in a supervisory or administrative capacity involving responsibility for a large number of buildings; or
• A Master’s Degree from an accredited college in Public Administration, Project Management, Business Administration, Human Services, Criminal Justice, Political Science, or a related field, plus two years of satisfactory experience of a nature to qualify for the duties and responsibilities of the position, at least 18 months of which must have been in an administrative, managerial, or executive capacity or supervising personnel performing activities related to the duties of the position; or
• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and four years of full-time experience in correction, project management, law, public administration, law enforcement, or a related field, at least three years of which must have been in a responsible managerial, supervisory, administrative capacity; or a satisfactory equivalent.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. A baccalaureate degree issued after completion of a four-year course in an accredited college
   or university, and three (3) years of satisfactory, full-time, responsible experience in public
   relations or journalism; or
2. A satisfactory equivalent.

• Oversee the construction of four new correctional facilities in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx.
• Lead a growing team of experienced project managers, coordinators, construction specialists, and other staff;
• Manage and supervise large-scale capital construction projects, particularly the design and construction of multiple borough-based jail facilities.
• Coordinate with partner agencies, design-build teams, and stakeholders to ensure project goals are met.
• Review and approve complex trade work, including lighting, power, security systems, HVAC control systems, fire alarms, and electrical systems.
• Monitor project schedules, track progress, and ensure timely completion of all construction phases.
• Represent the Department of Correction in construction and engineering meetings with contractors, service delivery, regulatory, community meetings and oversight agencies.
• Identify and resolve problems with installations or quality, preparing relevant reports and documentation.
• Ensure compliance with minimum standards for care, custody, correction, treatment, and supervision, of all persons held in NYC correctional facilities.
• Collaborate with the Department of Design and Construction (DDC) and other city agencies to implement the Borough-Based Jails Program.
• Develop expertise in jail operations and correctional best practices to inform construction and programmatic decisions.
• Oversee site preparation, including environmental testing and infrastructure work.
• Ensure that new facilities are designed to support the goals of the Department of Correction.
• Perform special projects and other related duties as assigned