JOB DESCRIPTION

The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), the largest public housing authority in North America, was created in 1935 to provide decent, affordable housing for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers. NYCHA is home to 1 in 17 New Yorkers, providing affordable housing to 528,105 authorized residents through public housing and Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) programs as well as Section 8 housing. NYCHA has 177,569 apartments in 2,411 buildings across 335 conventional public housing and PACT developments. NYCHA’s mission is to provide quality housing for New Yorkers that is sustainable, inclusive, and safe, while fostering opportunities for economic mobility. Since the 2019 Agreement between NYCHA, the Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD), and the U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York (SDNY), NYCHA has been working under a Federal Monitor structure. The HUD Agreement sets the requirement to create a new Organizational Plan in collaboration with the Federal Monitor and sets forth various compliance related targets for NYCHA across major operational areas including: Lead, Mold, Heat, Elevators, Pest, Waste Management, and Inspections.
The Department of Resident Services, Partnerships and Initiatives (RSPI) engages NYCHA residents in critical programs, services, and initiatives in the areas of economic opportunity, youth, senior and social services; serves as a liaison between residents and departments across the Housing Authority; supports NYCHA’s extensive network of Resident Associations; and connects residents to opportunities such as financial empowerment, business development, career advancement, and educational programs.
Reporting to the Senior Vice President of RSPI, with wide latitude for independent initiative, judgment and decision making, the Vice President of Special Projects will design, plan, and manage the implementation of special projects to support the work of the RSPI. These special projects will include a variety of strategic initiatives to catalyze change in the division, or more tactical efforts to problem-solve and sustainably address important issues that arise in the course of RSPI’s business. Special projects include the development and oversight of training programs for residents and NYCHA staff; implementation of special events and partnerships with internal and external partners; and serving as a senior advisor to the Senior Vice President to support the integration of RSPI’s portfolio with other pillars within NYCHA Operations.
The Vice President of Special Projects will work closely with other staff across RSPI, Operations, and the Authority to coordinate significant cross-departmental, cross-divisional and external stakeholder collaboration, build buy-in and facilitate effective implementation of these projects. In addition, Vice President of Special Projects may also support on fielding and addressing high-priority requests and urgent coordination needs related to the Division’s work and coordination with senior internal and external stakeholders.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
1. Provide senior level strategic leadership, guidance, direction, and oversight of all resident engagement services.
2. Manage one Strategic Project Manager.
3. Effectively conceptualize, develop, grow, and manage the portfolio of services and training programs that support resident engagement.
4. Leverage program strengths to take advantage of new opportunities or to address organizational challenges.
5. Act in lead coordination role for the Mayor’s Action Plan for Neighborhood Safety (MAP) program.
6. Address high-priority requests and urgent coordination needs, working closely with the Senior Vice-President and other senior leaders within the department, across NYCHA, and externally.
7. Meet regularly with and make presentations to the executive department, the HUD monitor, elected officials, sponsors, resident leadership, and other stakeholders.
8. Working closely with the SVP and organization leadership, play a key role in achievement of NYCHA & RSPI strategic objectives. Responsible and accountable for establishing current and long-term goals, plans and policies for program areas.
9. Serve as an advisor for the implementation and institutionalization of an innovative approach to resident services through oversight of the Resident Engagement Department.
10. Determine key metrics to measure and provide ongoing monitoring and evaluation of NYCHA’s overall resident engagement; maintain both quantitative and qualitative data documenting engagement efforts; including resident feedback through canvassing, surveys, focus groups and other methods; meeting attendance; and other key standards; maintain records necessary to document any HUD mandated resident consultation processes as appropriate.
NOTE: Due to the existence of a civil service list, candidates must have permanent civil service status in the title of Administrative Community Relations Specialist to be considered.
NOTE: This position is open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate in your cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position under the 55-a Program. For detailed information regarding the 55-a Program, click on the link below:
https://bit.ly/55aProgram
Additional Information

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, accredited by regional, national, professional or specialized agencies recognized as accrediting bodies by the U. S. Secretary of Education and by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and four years of satisfactory, full-time community liaison, community organization or community relations experience, at least two years of which must have been in a broad administrative or policy-making capacity with responsibility for planning, organizing, coordinating, developing, evaluating and/or administering a large community service program or activity; or
2. A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent approved by a State’s Department of Education or a recognized accrediting organization and eight years of satisfactory, full-time experience as described in “1” above, at least two years of which must have been in a broad administrative or policy-making capacity with responsibilities as described in “1” above; or
3. Education and/or experience equivalent to “1” or “2” above. Undergraduate education above the high school level may be substituted for the community liaison, community organization or community relations experience, but not for the two years of broad administrative or policy-making experience described in “1” above, at the rate of 30 semester credits from an accredited college or university (as described above) for each year of experience, up to a maximum of 4 years. Graduate education beyond the baccalaureate degree may be substituted for the community liaison, community organization or community relations experience, but not for the two years of broad administrative or policy-making experience described in “1” above, on the basis of 30 graduate credits from an accredited college or university (as described above) for each year of experience, up to a maximum of 2 years. However, all candidates must possess a four-year high school diploma or its educational
   equivalent approved by a State’s Department of Education or a recognized accrediting organization and two years of full-time experience in a broad administrative or policy-making capacity with responsibilities as described in “1” above.

PREFERRED SKILLS

1. Proven track record of developing comprehensive and effective resident engagement strategies. 2. Experience working with NYCHA residents and/or a similar population. 3. Cultural competence regarding the needs and experience of low-income residents. 4. Ability to delegate and manage numerous projects simultaneously. 5. Ability to motivate, build long-term relationships with, and gain the respect of internal and external constituents. 6. Capability for complex strategic thought, energetic and forward-thinking focus, sound technical skills, analytical ability, and good judgment. 7. Experience leading successful teams and proven ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams. 8. Experience coordinating complex projects to achieve stated objectives, developing systems, and applying best practices. 9. Experience using data to define and achieve outcomes. 10. Ability to resolve problems in a diplomatic, effective, and timely manner. 11. Exceptional project management, organizational, analytical, quantitative, and qualitative skills. 12. Superior communication skills, with the ability to summarize information and connect with a variety of audiences clarity and persuasiveness in written and oral communications and a high comfort level with current electronic media. 13. Self-starter with ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously.

Please refer the Job description for details