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New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) is the State’s affordable housing agency, with a mission to build, preserve, and protect affordable housing and increase homeownership throughout New York State.

This position is on HCR's Housing Trust Fund Corporation (HTFC). HTFC is a public benefit corporation, and a Civil Service exam is not required for this position. Candidates must meet the minimum qualifications outlined below to be considered.

NYS Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) is committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Our work would not be possible without the diverse backgrounds, experiences, ideas, and abilities of our employees. HCR is committed to developing a workforce which represents the diverse population of New York State. HCR embraces a diverse and inclusive work environment by encouraging all individuals, including those with disabilities, to apply to open positions at the agency.

SUMMARY This position shall lead the implementation and ongoing operation of the Housing Access Voucher Program Pilot (“HAVPP”) on behalf of HCR in counties outside of new York City. She shall reduce homelessness in New York State by maximizing the budgetary utilization of State HAVPP funding allocated to HCR. The Deputy Director shall report to the Director of Section 8/Rental Assistance programs and may also take direction as necessary from the Assistant Commissioner.

The HAVPP Director will oversee all aspects of the administration of almost 700 vouchers throughout New York State outside of New York City in compliance with statutory deadlines. She will ensure the program is delivered in compliance with the State Statute, the HTFC Administrative Plan, any Memorandums of Understanding, and other applicable requirements.

HAVPP will be delivered through a combination of in-house, HCR staff and Local Administrators (“LAs”) in counties outside of New York City. This position will oversee both the HCR staff and the LAs, managing a team of approximately 6-8 HCR employees, including case managers. while providing oversight, quality control and compliance monitoring for the LAs. Essential relationships to manage shall include Local Administrators (“LAs”), an inspections vendor, Emphasys, the State Dept. of Labor, the State Office of Temporary Disability Assistance, and local Departments of Social Services.

DUTIES

+ Draft policies and procedures, including the Administrative Plan, for HAVPP and amend and update as necessary.

+ Remain knowledgeable on federal Section 8 requirements and recommend the effective application of those requirements on the State program

+ Deliver a full training plan to supervise and train HAVPP employees, including case managers and staff at HAVPP LAs; coordinate training with state partners, including local Departments of Social Services, to submit referrals.

+ Supervise the case management process for counties served directly by HCR, including referrals, selection, certification, voucher issuance, rent reasonableness, inspection, lease up and recertification; establish approval processes, quality control procedures, and caseload assignments amongst the case management team.

+ Establish performance measures and set targets for case managers related to response times, processing, empower staff to make recommendations on how to improve service delivery.

+ Conduct Quality Control (“QC”) file reviews as necessary for HAVPP in counties assigned to LAs; schedule desk reviews and site visits of state staff to monitor LAs; identify potential risks and vulnerabilities in all areas of program administration; establish file review targets and assess findings.

+ Review the performance of the Local Administrators (“LAs”) assigned to administer HAVPP; report on LA performance to executive staff at least monthly; recommend appropriate action for low performing/out of compliance LAs; issue notices of default, assess penalties, recommend contract termination, and/or take other actions per the terms of the LA contracts.

+ Facilitate and maintain collaborative relationships with staff from the NYS DOL, NYS OTDA, local Social Service Districts, Continuums of Care, shelters, nonprofits and other partners to ensure sufficient, eligible referrals and to leverage all available resources and services; ensure compliance with all applicable MOUs.

+ Supervise the work of the inspections contractor for HAVPP; ensure timely completion of inspections as required; make recommendations regarding the need for additional vendor capacity; and coordinate quality control of inspections.

+ Ensure the timely resolution of inquiries and complaints from tenants, landlords, local elected officials, and other stakeholders regarding HAVPP; Assist the Statewide Deputy Director in tracking issues and drafting correspondence.

+ Identify and report any potential fraudulent or criminal activity in relation to HAVPP.

+ Strive to maintain a utilization rate of 95 percent or greater in the across HAVPP; Track both administrative and Housing Assistance Payment expenditures; assess voucher utilization for both the NYC and State allocations; reallocate voucher authority as appropriate within statutory requirements.

+ Liaison with Emphasys and participate in the implementation and ongoing maintenance of the HAVPP data solutions.

+ Provide a monthly metrics report to the HCV Director which includes LA QC results, current caseloads for all HCR case managers, monthly output, the current utilization rate, waiting list indicators, certification backlogs, inspection backlogs, instances of emergency health and safety inspections/HAP abatements, etc.; recommend and track additional Key Performance Indicators for HAVPP.

+ Ensure services are fully accessible to all eligible families regardless of language or immigration status; comply with all Fair Housing requirements as per State law.

+ Supervise, monitor and enforce corrective measures to facilitate various programs/systems incorporated for automated saving of all documents.

+ Interact with the vendor to be assigned with the mail clearing-house function for delivering all mailed documents generated by program.

+ Manage and improve both LA and staff performance including timely certifications and recertifications, annual inspections, and prompt customer service; minimize or eliminate any certification or inspection back-log.

Minimum qualifications

+ Bachelor’s degree in human services, communications, business or a related field with 6 years of applicable experience

+ Written and oral communication skills.

+ In-state travel is required for this position.

+ Direct experience with federal or state housing assistance payment programs is preferred but not required.

*Substitutions: four years of specialized experience or associate’s degree and two years of specialized experience may substitute for bachelor’s degree; J.D. or master’s degree may substitute for one year of specialized experience; Ph.D. may substitute for two years of specialized experience.

This job description is not intended to be all inclusive and employee will be expected to perform other reasonably related duties as assigned.

WHAT WE OFFER AT NYS HCR:

+ Extensive benefits package including paid leave, including excellent health, dental, vision and retirement benefits (https://www.osc.state.ny.us/retirement) with the New York State & Local Employees’ Retirement System.

+ Promotional opportunity for dedicated professionals

+ Work life balance benefits including a 37.5 hour work week and paid time off benefits including, vacation, sick, personal days, and Federal Holidays

+ Opportunity for compressed scheduling

+ 12 weeks of Paid Parental Leave

+ Paid Family Leave

+ As a New York State employee, you may qualify to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service) (PSLF). The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under an accepted repayment plan (https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service#qualifying-repayment-plans) and while working full-time for an eligible (https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service#qualifying-employment) employer.

ABOUT NEW YORK STATE HOMES AND COMMUNITY RENEWAL:

Under the leadership of Governor Kathy Hochul and Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas, HCR is a vibrant, innovative agency that integrates and leverages New York State’s housing resources. We have offices in New York City, Albany, Buffalo and Syracuse, and employ a diverse workforce of professionals who are hard-working and committed to serving low and moderate income families. Our mission is far reaching, encompassing single and multifamily housing finance, home improvement, rent regulation, housing subsidies, and community development. We partner regularly with a variety of public and private stakeholders.

Achieving this mission requires a wide range of skills and backgrounds in public policy, administration, real estate, construction. finance, law, and many other areas of expertise. We seek to provide a workplace environment that is productive, flexible, accountable, ethical, and caring. Our employees are empowered to make a difference where they live and work. We offer competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package, including paid leave, health, dental, vision, retirement, and family-friendly policies.