NY HELP No Agency Human Rights, Division of Title Outreach Specialist Occupational Category Other Professional Careers Salary Grade NS Bargaining Unit None listed Salary Range From $70720 to $87618 Annually Employment Type Full-Time Appointment Type Permanent Jurisdictional Class Unclassified Service Travel Percentage 10% Workweek Mon-Fri Hours Per Week 37.5 Workday From 9 AM To 5 PM Flextime allowed? No Mandatory overtime? No Compressed workweek allowed? No Telecommuting allowed? No County Bronx Street Address One Fordham Plaza, 4th Floor City Bronx State NY Zip Code 10458 Duties Description New York State adopted an amendment to the New York Executive Law § 296(5)(a)(1), enacted on April 12, 2019, to prohibit housing discrimination based on lawful sources of income in all communities’ statewide, including whether their rent is fully or partially paid by a federal Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (“HCV”). The New York State Division of Human Rights (“DHR”) has enforcement authority for this law and is now seeking a dynamic leader for a newly formed Source of Income Discrimination Enforcement Unit (“the SOI Unit”). This new team will bolster the State’s efforts to ensure that HCV recipients can locate housing without being discriminated against based on their source of income. The SOI Unit will intervene quickly to educate landlords and real estate professionals while assisting voucher participants in securing rental housing free of discrimination. Governor Kathy Hochul highlighted this initiative in her 2024 State of the State address. DHR is establishing the SOI Unit in partnership with the NYS Housing Trust Fund Corp. (“HTFC”).Under the direction of the Director of the SOI Unit, the Pre-Complaint Intervention Specialist is responsible for receiving, tracking, assessing, and responding to reports of Section 8 Source of Income Discrimination on behalf of the State of New York. .Primary duties and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following:• Monitor phone lines and internet-based reporting tools to ensure timely receipt of and response to all reports of source of income discrimination submitted to DHR's SOI unit. • Refer complaints outside of the DHR SOI unit's jurisdiction to the appropriate agency or unit.• Conduct intake, screening, and processing of reports of source of income discrimination submitted by Section 8 voucher holders in New York. Triage reports based on factors like clarity, completeness, urgency, and jurisdiction.• Speak directly with individuals reporting Section 8-based source of income discrimination and conduct a preliminary assessment of their claim of discrimination, including a recommendation to SOI unit leadership as to whether each report should be referred for pre-complaint intervention or a different type of assistance.• Follow up and work directly with individuals reporting Section 8-based source of income discrimination to collect evidence of discrimination.• Research and compile evidence to investigate claims of discrimination, including control testing if necessary. • Accurately catalog and organize evidence of source of income discrimination, following established protocols.• Conduct pre-complaint interventions on behalf of Section 8 voucher holders experiencing source of income discrimination. This will include contacting landlords, agents, brokers, and other housing providers by phone and/or written communication to advise them of their legal responsibility to accept Section 8 vouchers and seek appropriate responses to Section 8 voucher holders' reports of discrimination, including placement in the desired unit, facilitation of further unit viewings, agreements to set aside certain units for Section 8 voucher holders, and more.• Liaise directly with DHR's Housing Investigations Unit to facilitate the filing of formal discrimination complaints as necessary and appropriate. • Liaise with community-based organizations, legal services providers, and other government agencies to receive and make referrals for individuals who may be experiencing source of income discrimination.• Enter case information into SOI unit's report tracking database; generate regular reports in compliance with the unit's reporting requirements.• Perform other functions to support the operations of the SOI unit as necessary. Minimum Qualifications Associate’s Degree.Preferred qualifications:• 3-5 years of experience in community relations, conflict resolution, mediation, tenant organizing, fair housing advocacy, real estate management, case management or investigations related to civil rights, labor, law enforcement, education, or social work.• Strong prioritization skills with the ability to balance multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.• Highly organized, with a proven ability to handle sensitive information securely and systematically.• Ability to handle high phone call and internet reporting volumes in a calm, efficient, and professional manner.• Excellent communication skills, and ability to calmly and confidently handle confrontational interactions and negotiations.• Strong relationships with organizations focused on fair housing, tenant organizing, civil rights, other similar issues a plus.• Familiarity with the New York State Division of Human Rights and/or New York State Human Rights Law a plus.• Spanish language fluency is a plus. Additional Comments All people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.This position is eligible for location pay of $4,000. Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity. Name Human Resources / LB Telephone Fax Email Address HRresumes@dhr.ny.gov Address Street Agency Bldg 1, Empire State Plaza City Albany State NY Zip Code 12220 Notes on Applying Please submit cover letter along with a clear and concise resume detailing how you meet the minimum qualifications for this position as listed in Specifics and indicate the Vacancy ID number for which you are applying.