Strategic Initiatives Manager

DSS Community Outreach is dedicated to expanding access to information and resources about HRA and DHS programs in the community by bringing services directly into the community and by partnering with and serving as a resource to community-based provider organizations serving HRA and DHS clients and applicants. Strategic Initiatives focuses on building capacity in DSS-HRA-DHS to support community-based organizations and other partnerships to improve access for all New Yorkers, with an emphasis on serving individuals who face unique barriers to accessing government services.

The Director of Strategic Initiatives is pivotal to the development and expansion of the DSS CBO Resource Center and interagency initiatives.

DSS Community Outreach is recruiting one (1) Confidential Strategy Planner (HRA) to function as a Strategic Initiatives Manager.

• Direct and facilitate special projects and initiatives in the Office of Community Outreach to improve collaboration between government and community partners, with a focus on identifying solutions to complex challenges and coordinating internal and external stakeholders (including City and State government agencies) to develop and coordinate the execution of these initiatives. Liaise with other DSS and HRA program areas and offices to coordinate and facilitate interdepartmental projects and initiatives.
• Advise senior staff by providing feedback, addressing urgent concerns, and identifying solutions to issues as they arise. Work closely with OCO leadership to plan and implement key projects and initiatives.
• Monitor the progress of various strategic initiatives, identifying milestones and setting internal timelines to move projects forward. Check in with other stakeholders to ensure progress toward goals; calls meetings to coordinate, problem solve and assign next steps.
• Facilitate communication and collaboration between various stakeholders through email and project check-ins to set expectations and share updates and progress toward shared goals. Set meeting agenda, facilitates sharing of updates, solicits feedback, and assigns next steps.
• Work independently with colleagues in Legal Affairs, Policy and Procedures, Program Monitoring, Evaluation, Program Operations, and other areas to draft proposals, business operations plans, waiver requests, evaluation plans, and other draft materials for review by senior and executive agency staff.
• Lead the implementation of new strategic initiatives and oversee the transition of project management, relationships, and tracking to appropriate program leaders, providing expertise, training, and recommendations to facilitate success.
• Produce periodic and final reports on strategic initiatives, identifying key indicators of success, setbacks, and best practices. Propose and implement improvements to improve future workflows.
• Research federal and state policy, internal procedures, best practices in other jurisdictions, and various tools and technologies to address complex challenge, including through informational interviews and meetings with appropriate representatives.

This position requires the ability to travel within the five boroughs.

Work Location:

4 World Trade Center

Hours/

Schedule:

M-F; 9AM to 5PM

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two years of satisfactory, full-time experience related to the projects and policies to be studied in the particular position.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.
• Ability to meet tight deadlines, respond to urgent requests, and prioritize competing responsibilities.
• Knowledge and experience with project management.
• Excellent research skills, and ability to interpret and apply federal rules and regulations.
• Knowledge of and experience working with community-based organizations.
• Knowledge of public benefits and services in NYC.
• Intermediate or Advanced Excel experience is preferred.

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the…