Overview
Will manage a large portfolio of program evaluations and research studies related to homelessness prevention, street outreach, homeless shelter services, and rehousing. A master’s degree and at least three years of experience are required. Preferred skills include at least five years’ experience designing and implementing experimental and/or quasi-experimental program evaluations and substantial project management experience. The salary for hires new to city government is $94,283. For more information about this position, please visit nyc.gov/jobs and search for Job ID 530508.
OER is recruiting for one (1) City Research Scientist IV-A to function as the Director of Housing and Homelessness Research, who will:
• Manage a large portfolio of program evaluations and research studies, collaborating with program area leadership to articulate research questions related to homelessness prevention, street outreach, homeless shelter services, and rehousing.
• Conceptualize and provide the methodological framework for complex mixed-method research studies, implementation evaluations, and outcome and impact evaluations of large-scale initiatives related to housing and homelessness, including leading the annual effort to estimate unsheltered homelessness in NYC (i.e., HOPE).
• Lead a team of master’s and PhD level researchers (City Research Scientists levels II and III) as well as temporary staff, interns, and consultants as needed.
• Serve as an agency expert on sophisticated evaluation and research methods and activities, including instrument development, sampling method design, and complex analyses of quantitative and qualitative data. Review internal and external requests to conduct research and evaluations involving DSS-HRA-DHS staff, clients, and/or data for methodological rigor, making recommendations regarding revisions as well as final approval.
• Make recommendations to agency leadership inform agency decision-making through reports and presentations to the Commissioner, Executive staff, and other program area leadership, describing study questions and methods, detailing evaluation and research findings, and assessing implications for agency operations.
• Represent OER in meetings and interagency communications. Present findings from OER research and evaluation projects and provide technical and analytic support to other agencies and city offices on research and evaluation methods and on the content and organization of HRA and DHS administrative data.
Minimum Qual Requirements
To be appointed to Assignment Level II and above, candidates must have:
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 of full-time experience in a responsible supervisory, administrative or research capacity in the appropriate field of specialization; or
2. A master’s degree from an accredited college or university with 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 I can be substituted for the experience required in “1” and “2” above.
NOTE:
Probationary Period
Appointments to this position are subject to a minimum probationary period of one year.
Preferred Skills
• Detailed knowledge of applied statistics and data analytics, including proficiency in a statistical software package (e.g., SPSS, Stata, SAS, R).
• Experience leading primary data efforts, including surveys, interviews, focus groups, and/or observations.
• Substantial project management experience, including experience leading a team and supervising staff.
• Experience disseminating research findings to high level audiences through written reports and presentations.
• Extensive knowledge of federal, state, and local policies and programs related to housing and homelessness.
Additional Information
The federal government provides student loan forgiveness through its Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) to all qualifying public service employees. Working with the DSS/HRA/DHS qualifies you as a public service employee and you may be able to take advantage of this program while working full-time and meeting the program’s other requirements.
Please visit the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program site to view the eligibility requirements:
https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service
In addition, the Human Resources Administration/Department of Social Services 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.
