Job Description

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.

The Office of Civil Justice (OCJ), an office created by the City Charter and established as a unit of the Department of Social Services’ Office of Legal Affairs, is part of the City’s unprecedented investment in free legal services for New Yorkers in need. The Office of Civil Justice, led by the Civil Justice Coordinator, consolidates the City’s various legal services programs at DSS and works to increase the availability of legal services citywide. To do this, the Office coordinates with legal services providers; the court systems; the advocacy community; elected officials City officials inside and outside of DSS; policy makers; tenants in need; and other key stakeholders.

Under the general supervision of the Contract Management Supervisor, with latitude for independent initiative and decision making, the Contract Specialist II / Contract Manager performs professional work of moderate difficulty managing legal assistance contracts previously managed by the Department for the Aging (DFTA), Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) and the Department of Homeless Services (DHS).

This new organizational area is an integral part of the Mayor's initiative in preventing and addressing homelessness and housing stability in the City of New York; the Human Resources Administration is pooling its resources to lead in the City's effort.

The Human Resources Administration (HRA’s Office of Civil Justice) is recruiting for one (1) Contract Specialist II to function as a Contract Manager, who will:

• Analyze the contractors' audit reports and other documents, reporting on a contractor's or a group of contractors' performance in fulfilling the terms of the contract to ensure compliance with all contractual requirements by.
• Collaborate with supervisory staff in the development and maintenance of audit mechanisms to evaluate and monitor the contractor's performance.
• Provide technical expertise to contractors by explaining Agency procedures, legal mandates and other rules and regulations.
• Provide technical assistance to contractors in developing proposals by reviewing statistical, budgetary and other data.
• Advise and alert supervisory staff concerning the provision of continued or additional funding, defunding or non-renewal of contracts.
• Coordinate record retention of contract files, maintain them and ensure they comply with the city's records retention schedules.
• Perform site visits and inspect the premises of contractors as required to ensure compliance with all contractual requirements including case file reviews and proper data collection and reporting by contractors.
• Assess performance reports and prepares comprehensive reports which document positive and negative findings of site activities, data systems and other records; makes recommendations to improve contractor performance.
• Effectuate corrective action for underperforming contractors and conducts site visits to monitor and report progress.

Hours/Schedule: Monday - Friday, 9am-5pm

Salary Range: $59,420.00 - $91,766.00

CONTRACT SPECIALIST - 40561

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 of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), and six months of full-time, satisfactory professional, technical, or administrative experience in one or more of the following fields: program evaluation, contract negotiation/management, fiscal/financial management, or project management; 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 four years of full-time, satisfactory professional, technical, or administrative experience in one or more of the following fields: program evaluation, contract negotiation/management, fiscal/financial management, or project management; or
3. Education and or experience equivalent to “1" or “2" above.

Additional Information

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.