The Department of Social Services (DSS) is comprised of the administrative units of the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) and the Department of Homeless Services (DHS). HRA is dedicated to fighting poverty and income inequality by providing New Yorkers in need with essential benefits such as Food Assistance and Emergency Rental Assistance. DHS is committed to preventing and addressing homelessness in New York City by employing a variety of innovative strategies to help families and individuals successfully exit shelter and return to self-sufficiency as quickly as possible.

Job Description
Human Resources Administration/Customized Assistance Services (CAS) is responsible for program evaluation and reporting from various systems maintained by the Department and providing strategic direction in the development and monitoring of service utilization activities. CAS evaluation, analysis and reporting provide analysis of data to inform high-level decision-making across DSS-HRA-DHS. For supportive housing the data evaluation and reporting are used to inform multiple city agencies as part of the NYC 15/15 initiative including research efforts on data provided by data systems.
Under the executive direction of the Assistant Deputy Commissioner for the Office of Business Strategies & Solutions and Disability Services Program (OBSS/DSP), with wide latitude for independent judgement, initiative, and action, oversee data collection and reporting from various data systems. Additionally, is responsible for overseeing data reporting and analytic work by CRS staff for the timely dissemination of reports. Data is quantified and reviewed using various research and/or analytical methodologies for validation. The incumbent leads in developing the large over-riding strategy and methodology for areas of focus for studies aimed at providing needed support for programs and planning for agency changes in service delivery.

Customized Assistance Services (CAS) is recruiting one (1) City Research Scientist Level IV-A to function as the Director of Management and Planning, who will:

- Be accountable for designing, implementing, and evaluating pilot or demonstration programs initiated to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of integrity delivery techniques. Evaluate changes to integrity processes based on proposed administrative and legislative policy changes to support implementation of the Mayor’s Program and Policy initiatives. Serve as the department’s program technical advisor for program directors and ITS to trouble-shoot issues that may impact meeting required timelines for deliverables and escalates issues to senior leadership as needed.

- Oversee all reporting needs of CAS related to the multiple systems including but not limited to: SEAMS, TRACS, DSP, EAOL, and STARS. Analyze program and process and will inform system data architecture development and integration from external systems for accurate reporting.

- Supervise City Research Scientist staff, providing oversight and direction on data-analytic work. Review staff work product to ensure department standards are met in data collection, analysis, presentation, and statistical analyses. Train and guide staff as needed on data systems and use of analytic software to ensure data quality, compliance with federal standards, and improved performance standards. Direct staff in the performance of highly skilled professional works in areas of programmatic, preventative, and detective controls; compliance; as well as service development in accordance with research and data-based findings. Direct staff in the preparation of policy analysis and comments on federal and state legislation for changes to public policy and its impact on the Agency integrity initiatives or policies.

- Prepare reports and research briefings for HRA leadership and Senior Executive Staff. Make recommendations and develop policy and programmatic initiatives based on integrity findings to communicate priorities and provide guidance on obtaining needed data. Additionally, deals with other city, state, and federal reporting requirements as assigned by the Assistant Deputy Commissioner.

- Serve as a content expert on HMIS data standards and HUD technical requirements. Maintain a working knowledge of the DHS CARES, HASA Web, Medicaid Data Warehouse, Street-Smart data systems, and the HMIS date warehouse requirements. Serve as a liaison between CAS and the Office of Research and Policy Innovation and the Agency ITS and central data reporting team leads.

- Work in consultation with the Agency’s Office of Perform Management and Data Analytics (OPMDA) and ITS in the selection of appropriate criteria and research techniques to assist in the development of proper integrity plans, designs and selection of research studies. Manage the technical aspects of analytics, including geospatial analysis, data science and statistical methodologies, risk regression models, and quantitative research to support policy and budget planning decisions. Develop indicators that measure global integrity best practices and thresholds for program development.

Hours/Schedule: 9:00am-17:00pm (Flexible)

CITY RESEARCH SCIENTIST - 21744

1. For Assignment Level I (only physical, biological and environmental sciences and public health) A master's degree from an accredited college or university with a specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological or environmental science or in public health.
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.

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.