Parking Summons Case Advocate

City of New York•New York, NY

11d

About The Position

NYC Department of Finance (DOF) is responsible for administering the tax revenue laws of the city fairly, efficiently, and transparently to instill public confidence and encourage compliance while providing exceptional customer service. The Office of the Taxpayer Advocate (OTA) is an independent office within the Department of Finance which assists customers who have been unable to resolve their tax issues through normal Department of Finance channels. In addition, the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate makes systemic recommendations to improve DOF policies and procedures. OTA’s base matters consist of NYC property, business, and certain excise tax issues. The Office of the Parking Summons Advocate is an office within OTA that ensures and promotes fairness in the parking summons dispute resolution process. The office serves members of the public who wish to dispute, or have disputed, their parking summonses. The office acts as an intermediary between unrepresented and underrepresented members of the public, DOF units, and other agencies involved in the parking summons adjudication process; informs the public about parking laws and related Department of Finance policies and procedures; and recommends solutions to systemic problems and issues in the parking summons adjudication process. The Office of the Parking Summons Advocate has an excellent opportunity for a well-organized and motivated individual to serve as a case advocate. The role of the Parking Summons Case Advocate is to assist the general public with their parking/camera summons issues and complaints and perform research to resolve such case advocacy issues. The Parking Summons Case Advocate will also assist the public who wish to dispute their summons with technical and procedural support. The Parking Summons Case Advocate must have excellent communication skills and will be required to interact with many different people. The selected candidate may also interact with NYC Council persons and representatives from the offices of elected officials on matters they may refer to the office. The Parking Summons Case Advocate will be responsible for investigating, researching, and responding to complaints about parking summons and camera violations, the adjudications process, as well as other related issues. The staff will analyze systemic issues based on these inquiries and liaise with DOF business units to resolve complex problems. Reporting to the Director of Office of the Parking Summons Advocate, duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Requirements

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
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
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.

Responsibilities

Interview respondents to provide information in preparation for hearings and appeals, explaining the procedure for disputing summonses and policies.
Explain to respondents the actions taken, citing applicable law, regulation, procedure, as well as appeal rights.
Counsel respondents on penalties and payment methods after hearings and appeals are conducted.
Advocate for motorists with the DOF operating/functional offices and divisions, to resolve issues with obvious administrative defects.
Liaise between respondents, offices of elected officials, community partners, and DOF business operations on individual cases and broader parking and adjudications issues.
Research, investigate, and identify complaints recurrent systemic issues within DOF and external agency processes, procedures, and standards. As necessary, confer with the Taxpayer Advocate concerning issues that may be stemming from other government agencies. Make recommendations for systemic change.
Participate in activities to provide guidance to targeted audiences on case advocacy, case criteria and delegated authorities. Participate in internal and external community-based training, education, projects, and initiatives, as needed.
Maintain a case management system with respect to inquiries handled.
Compile, prepare, and analyze data to assist the Taxpayer Advocate in any periodic reports required by the Commissioner, by statute, or otherwise.
Travel to DOF business centers in all boroughs as needed to perform Parking Summons Advocate unit duties.
Meet with respondents in person, by telephone, via email, and web conference, to perform advocacy duties.
Keep abreast of relevant parking and camera violation laws, rules, regulations, and agency rules, regulations, and changes thereto.
Perform other duties as assigned.