Compliance Specialist, Lead Based Paint and Healthy Homes

City of New York•New York City, NY

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) is the nation's largest municipal housing agency, responsible for overseeing housing standards, building and preserving affordable housing, protecting tenants, and holding landlords accountable across New York City. The Compliance Specialist for Lead Hazard Control & Healthy Homes will be a key member of the Compliance & Strategy team within the Office of Compliance & Risk Management (CRM). This office ensures fairness, consistency, and equity in external and internal engagement, collaborating with HPD programs to ensure compliance with federal, state, and city laws, regulatory requirements, policies, and procedures. CRM oversees agency compliance and risk management, including audit responses, site standard adherence, public-facing appeals and hearings, and risk management. This role offers an opportunity to provide leadership and technical assistance in support of health and safety requirements and compliance best practices, with a focus on environmental hazards, and to strengthen the agency's compliance culture.

Requirements

Demonstrated ability to interpret complex legislation, regulations, and policy requirements, and translate them into clear operational guidance and practical implementation approaches.
Strong attention to detail and excellent organizational and problem-solving abilities.
Strong collaborator across all levels of management and experience, and with a wide array of internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to balance a variety of projects and priorities for a fast-paced, high-volume workload.
Collaborative team player with strong interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written).
Candidates will need to meet the civil service requirements of City Research Scientist Level 2.
1. A doctorate degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological, environmental or social science and one year full-time experience in a responsible, administrative or research capacity in the appropriate field of specialization; or
2. A master’s degree from an accredited college or university with a specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological, environmental or social science and three years of responsible full-time experience in the appropriate field of specialization; or
3. Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must have at least a master’s degree in an appropriate field of specialization and at least two years of experience described in "2" above.
Two years as a City Research Scientist Level 1 can be substituted for the experience required in "1" and "2" above.
For Assignment Level I (only physical, biological and environmental sciences and public health) A master's degree from an accredited college or university with a specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological or environmental science or in public health.
To be appointed to Assignment Level II and above, candidates must have: 1. A doctorate degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological, environmental or social science and one year of full-time experience in a responsible supervisory, administrative or research capacity in the appropriate field of specialization; or 2. A master's degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological, environmental or social science and three years of responsible full-time research experience in the appropriate field of specialization; or 3. Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must have at least a master's degree in an appropriate field of specialization and at least two years of experience described in "2" above.
Two years as a City Research Scientist Level 1 can be substituted for the experience required in "1" and "2" above.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of New York City’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Act of 2003, also known as Local Law 1 of 2004 (LL1), Local Law 55 of 2018, Title X and 24 CFR Part 35 (Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention in Certain Residential Structures), and other related legal and regulatory requirements.
Experience in the lead-based paint or mold fields, particularly related to project, staff, and vendor management.
Work in housing, environmental health and regulatory compliance frequently incorporates applied social science research skills, including data analysis, program evaluation and evidence-based policy implementation.
Candidates with backgrounds in public health, environmental science, urban policy, social science research, or related fields are strongly encouraged to apply.
Relevant experience in program evaluation, policy analysis, compliance research or data analysis within government or non-profit organizations may be considered eligible.
Candidates with legal or policy research backgrounds, such as attorneys and policy analysts, may also be eligible to apply.

Responsibilities

Provide agency-wide programmatic support to strengthen compliance with federal, state, and local health and safety hazard requirements.
Evaluate the implementation of lead- and healthy homes-related procedures across all areas of the agency.
Coordinate compliance monitoring related to requirements under federal, state, and local laws, including 24 CFR Part 35, Title X of the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act; Local Law 1 (2004), 66 (2019), Local Law 31 (2020), Local Law 111 (2023), Local Law 122 (2023), and Local Law 123 (2023), as well as Local Law 55 (2018) and other regulations related to indoor allergens such as mold and pests.
Participate in monitorings and/or audits.
Work with staff in the Offices of Enforcement & Neighborhood Services (ENS), Development, Asset & Property Management (APM), Housing Access & Stability (HAS), Neighborhood Strategies (ONS), and others to coordinate, document, and strengthen, as needed, lead and Healthy Homes hazard compliance.
Perform assessments and evaluations to proactively identify risk areas and program noncompliance.
Provide corrective action plans, recommendations, and a set of best practices, as necessary to mitigate risks.
Participate in the development of agency-wide trainings related to lead-based paint, Healthy Homes, and other relevant healthy and safety topics.
Support the development of internal reporting mechanisms for specialized initiatives for public reporting.
Monitor regulatory changes and keep stakeholders abreast of operational or other implications.
Assist with other Compliance & Strategy special projects and compliance priorities as needed.

Benefits

Generous Pension Plans (The New York Employees' Retirement System)
401(k) and Roth 457(k) Retirement Savings Programs
U.S. Savings Bonds
Flexible Spending Program
Health Benefits, Dental, Vision Coverage, Prescription Drug Program
Training and Professional Development
Opportunity for Scholarship
College Savings Program
Paid Holidays and Generous Annual Leave
Eligibility for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs.