NYC Department of Consumer Affairs Seeks Paid Care Advocate

The NYC Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) protects and enhances the daily economic lives of New Yorkers to create thriving communities. DCA licenses more than 81,000 businesses in more than 50 industries and enforces key consumer protection, licensing, and workplace laws that apply to countless more. By supporting businesses through equitable enforcement and access to resources and, by helping to resolve complaints, DCA protects the marketplace from predatory practices and strives to create a culture of compliance. Through its community outreach and the work of its offices of Financial Empowerment and Labor Policy & Standards, DCA empowers consumers and working families by providing the tools and resources they need to be educated consumers and to achieve financial health and work-life balance. DCA also conducts research and advocates for public policy that furthers its work to support New York City’s communities. For more information about DCA and its work, call 311 or visit DCA at nyc.gov/dca or on its social media sites, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

The Office of Labor Policy and Standards (“the Office,” “OLPS”), which provides workers in New York City a voice in City government, is responsible for enforcing the city’s municipal labor laws such as the Earned Safe and Sick Time Act, the Fair Workweek Laws, and the Commuter Benefits Law, implementing the Freelance Isn’t Free Act, expanding outreach and public education efforts to vulnerable workers, and conducting research and data analysis to recommend efforts to achieve workplace equity for women, communities of color, immigrants, refugees, and other vulnerable workers. The Office’s Division of Paid Care also assists workers submit complaints regarding federal, state, and local labor and employment law violations and helps the Office coordinate with other government agencies, worker advocacy groups, as well as community, labor, and employment organizations.

A critical part of OLPS’ mission is to be the City’s focal point for workers’ rights issues. Building on the Office’s success implementing Paid Sick Leave and developing a Division of Paid Care, and with broader authority to protect workers’ rights, OLPS has a mandate to: pursue original research; develop new policy; help convene and coordinate among stakeholders including different branches and agencies of government to further workers’ rights; and conduct educational programs around workers’ rights. All of these lines of work require deep and sustained engagement with organizations and individuals that focus on worker rights issues, employers, business, and industry groups, and workers themselves.

The ideal candidate for the Paid Care Advocate has significant experience in issues relating to the home care and child care workforces; excellent project development and management, inter-personal, public-speaking, writing, and group facilitation skills; and the ability to lead and collaborate with a diverse group of stakeholders. Key responsibilities will include:

• Closely collaborating with OLPS’ Legal and Policy Director to shape and lead the Paid Care Division’s priorities, goals, and activities, including helping to build and refine the Division’s anticipated alternative dispute resolution pilot project.
• Leading communications and collaboration across OLPS’ enforcement, outreach and education, intake and referral, research, and policy teams to support the work of the Division. Ensuring the flow of information and ideas to support OLPS’ senior management team and the cohesiveness of the Division’s work.
• Coordinating and strengthening the activities of the paid care working group to deepen the Division’s knowledge of workers’ issues, make recommendations for its programs, and ensure the work is grounded in best practice. Leading working group meetings.
• Providing guidance and advocacy to individual paid care workers who are or need assistance accessing their rights under federal, state and local labor standards laws, as well accessing benefits, low-cost health insurance, immigration-related resources, financial and tax credit information, and free or low-cost education and training programs.
• Strengthening the reach, impact, and effectiveness of the Division’s support for paid care workers, including through direct services and outreach and education.
• Developing and maintaining information systems and other infrastructure that support, track progress, and improve the delivery of the Division’s programs, including systems to assist paid care workers submit workplace complaints and the provision of referrals, systems for paid care workers to obtain information about their rights, and coordinating with appropriate stakeholders.
• Developing and maintaining a tracking tool for identifying systemic violations of workplace rights.
• Keeping abreast of research and academic literature and policy developments on care worker issues; support and consult with OLPS staff conducting policy and research work involving paid care workers.
• Taking on other duties as assigned by the Director of OLPS or the Legal and Policy Director that further the mission and purpose of the Paid Care Division.
Minimum Qual Requirements
1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties described above; or
2. High school graduation or equivalent and six years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties as described above; or
3. Education and/or experience which is equivalent to “1” or “2” above. However, all candidates must have at least one year of experience as described in “1” above.
Preferred Skills
• Experience and track record of advancing equity and/or thinking deeply about how to dismantle institutionalized power imbalances, including supporting those frequently marginalized by policy and institutions to engage with government.
• Strong strategic insight and professional judgment.
• Demonstrated ability to work directly with community organizations, labor unions, worker centers, networks or similar organizations, or with national organizations that regularly engage and support local partners.
• Demonstrated success organizing low-wage, immigrant workers.
• Strong organizational skills for successful implementation of multi-disciplinary programs.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and conduct large-scale campaigns, including the ability to identify and prioritize targets, organize and maintain information and data, keep track of extensive contacts, and effectively manage multiple expectations and demands.
• Ability to work collaboratively and supportively with a variety of teams to foster internal cohesion around policy development.
• Fluency in at least one language in addition to English.
• Proficiency in Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
To Apply
For Non-City/External Candidates: Visit the External Applicant NYC Careers site. Click on “Non-Employee Login” and search by Job ID number.

For Current City Employees: Visit Employee Self Service (ESS) to view and click on Recruiting Activities, Careers, and search by Job ID number.

A RESUME AND COVER LETTER ARE REQUIRED.
PLEASE INDICATE IN YOUR COVER LETTER HOW YOU HEARD ABOUT THIS POSITION.
INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
NO PHONE CALLS, FAXES, E-MAILS OR PERSONAL INQUIRIES PERMITTED.
NOTE: ONLY THOSE CANDIDATES UNDER CONSIDERATION WILL BE CONTACTED.

*Appointments are subject to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval

**LOAN FORGIVENESS: The federal government provides student loan forgiveness through its Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) to all qualifying public service employees. Working with DCA qualifies you as a public service employee and you may be able to take advantage of this program while working full-time and meeting the program’s other requirements. Please visit the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program site to view the eligibility requirements: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service**

Hours/Shift
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Work Location
42 Broadway, New York, N.Y.

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

APPLY HERE