Director OF TECH Services

Computer Systems Manager

Applicants must be permanent in the Computer Systems Manager civil service title. 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. Information Technology Services (ITS) is DSS's technology services organization. ITS mission is to support the daily, emergent, and long-term needs of both agencies. ITS creates and enhances the technology infrastructure and computer applications that support HRA and DHS and develops applications, including a variety of client eligibility and recertification systems, case management systems, housing systems, employment/work engagement services, revenue-producing computer matches, claiming systems, and personnel systems. Under general direction from the Executive Director, with a high degree of latitude for independent initiative, judgement and decision making, the Director of Tech Services is responsible to oversee and support teams in the delivery of automated solutions for Agency wide managed file transfers, reporting and scheduling, outgoing client notifications as well as maintenance and monitoring of associated technology. The individual is a highly experienced, skilled, multi-disciplinary technologist. This role requires breadth and depth across multiple technical disciplines such as UNIX scripting and administration, FTP services, Web Focus administration, mailing services such as Print to Mail/ Nearstar ITS is recruiting for one (1) Computer Systems Manager NM, to function as Director, Tech Services, who will:

- Collaborate with the project team and business stakeholders to collect and analyze business requirements, translating them into deployable data transfers, mainframe scheduled jobs, and mailing application services.

- Establish and enforce policies and procedures governing the division's operations, ensuring standardized agency-wide practices for data transfers, mail services, and mainframe scheduling. Maintain direct oversight of all requisite resources. Coordinate with internal ITS and relevant departments to facilitate new software requests, provide comprehensive justifications, and oversee the renewal of existing software licenses.

- Develop, evaluate, and implement enhancements to mailing systems, including the refinement of NearStar product functionalities. Engage closely with the Print Pool and Distribution teams to resolve operational challenges, identify opportunities for improvement, and generate statistical reports on mailing activities. Administer, monitor, and document all processes on the Sun SFTP server. Collaborate with NYS Production Control to streamline file transfers by enabling direct transmissions to HRA servers, thereby eliminating redundant network intermediaries.

- Supervise and manage Tech Services personnel, consultants, and vendors, establishing a structured framework for performance evaluation and continuous professional development. Maintain awareness of emerging technologies to promote innovation within the organization. Direct daily operations, provide training, and mentorship to a team of highly skilled computer specialists, and ensure efficient task allocation and prioritization.

- Formulate and implement divisional policies and procedures to uphold operational standards across agency-wide data transfers, mail services, and mainframe scheduling, ensuring effective resource management. Assess and document staff performance, utilizing direct observation, record keeping, feedback from Lead Operators, and standardized evaluation methodologies to ensure the accurate appraisal of employees' contributions.

Hours/Shift: 9:00am-5:00pm

Minimum Qualifications

1. A master's degree in computer science from an accredited college or university and three (3) years of progressively more responsible, full-time, satisfactory experience in Information Technology (IT) including applications development, systems development, data communications and networking, database administration, data processing, or user services. At least eighteen (18) months of this experience must have been in an administrative, managerial or executive capacity in the areas of applications development, systems development, data communications and networking, database administration, data processing or in the supervision of staff performing these duties; or 2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and four (4) years of progressively more responsible, full-time, satisfactory experience as described in "1" above; or 3. A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent, and six (6) years of progressively more responsible, full-time, satisfactory experience as described in "1" above; or 4. A satisfactory combination of education and experience equivalent to "1", "2" or "3" above. However, all candidates must have at least a four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and must possess at least three (3) years of experience as described in "1" above, including the eighteen (18) months of administrative, managerial, executive or supervisory experience as described in "1" above. In the absence of a baccalaureate degree, undergraduate credits may be substituted for a maximum of two (2) years of the required experience in IT on the basis of 30 semester credits for six (6) months of the required experience. Graduate credits in computer science may be substituted for a maximum of one (1) year of the required experience in IT on the basis of 30 graduate semester credits in computer science for one (1) year of the required IT experience. However, undergraduate and/or graduate credits may not be substituted for the eighteen (18) months of experience in an administrative, managerial, executive, or supervisory capacity as described in "1" above.

Preferred Skills

- Proficiency in document design software and mail-merge programs, with experience in mailing systems such as Print-to-Mail and NearStar

- Experience working in unix and unix scripting, along with a strong understanding of databases including SQL and Oracle.

- Skilled in using tools like WebFocus applications for data loading and generating reports from various databases, such as Oracle, SQL Server, and Informix.

- Strong management, organizational, teamwork, and decision-making abilities with expertise in directing and coordinating IT professionals involved in developing and maintaining complex systems.

- Ability to effectively coordinate work efforts across agency staff, consultants, Program stakeholders, and vendors, ensuring efficient monitoring and reporting on multiple concurrent initiatives.

- Exceptional oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, coupled with strong presentation abilities.

55a Program

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

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 U.S. Department of Education's website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

Residency Requirement

New York City Residency is not required for this position.

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.