Position Information

NY HELPNo

AgencyHuman Rights, Division of

TitleOutreach Specialist

Occupational CategoryOther Professional Careers

Salary GradeNS

Bargaining UnitNone listed

Salary RangeFrom $70720 to $87618 Annually

Employment Type Full-Time

Appointment Type Permanent

Jurisdictional Class Unclassified Service

Travel Percentage 10%

Schedule

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

Location

County Bronx

Street Address One Fordham Plaza, 4th Floor

City Bronx

StateNY

Zip Code10458

Job Specifics

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 Outreach Specialist is responsible for conducting public outreach and education relating to all aspects of the SOI unit’s work. This includes engagement with community stakeholders to share information about the SOI unit and the Human Rights Law, facilitating access to the unit’s pre-complaint intervention services, educating housing providers and real estate professionals about their obligations under the law, and more.
Primary duties and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Develop and implement outreach strategies to increase public awareness of the state’s source of income protections and encourage individuals to report potential violations of the law to the SOI Unit.
• Establish and maintain relationships with community-based organizations, tenant organizations, fair housing organizations, and other relevant groups to share information about the SOI unit, learn about community needs, facilitate access to DHR services, provide referrals to external partners as necessary, and more.
• Establish and maintain relationships with housing providers and real estate professionals to increase education and training and promote compliance with the Human Rights Law.
• Coordinate, organize, and execute outreach activities on behalf of the SOI Unit.
• Represent the SOI Unit at community events, meetings, presentations, and other relevant functions.
• Create, manage, and distribute public information materials and campaigns to support community education efforts relating to source of income discrimination.
• Track and regularly report to Division leadership on outreach efforts and community feedback.
• Monitor news reports and conduct research to understand the latest developments and trends relating to source of income protections, enforcement efforts, educational initiatives, and other relevant topics.
• 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.
• Assist individuals through the process of filing a report of discrimination with the SOI Unit, helping to ensure quality and completeness of such reports.
• Research and compile evidence to support the investigation of claims of discrimination, including control testing if necessary.
• 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 public relations, community outreach, constituency affairs, fair housing advocacy, real estate management, social work, or related field.
• Strong interpersonal and public speaking skills.
• Experience working with diverse populations and stakeholders.
• Ability to engage effectively and maintain positive working relationships with different stakeholder groups who have different and at times opposing interests, viewpoints, and priorities.
• Highly organized and able to work independently and manage multiple responsibilities and priorities.
• 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.

How to Apply

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 ApplyingPlease 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.