Deed Theft Ombudsperson

Title: Deed Theft Ombudsperson

Location: Manhattan United States

Hybrid
Salary range:
$98,140.00 – $117,000.00
Full-time

Department: Taxpayer Advocate's Office
 

Job Description:

IMPORTANT NOTE: CANDIDATES PERMANENT IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF ANALYST CIVIL SERVICE TITLE OR ARE PERMANENT IN A COMPARABLE CIVIL SERVICE TITLE ELIGIBLE FOR A 6.1.9 TITLE CHANGE MAY BE CONSIDERED FOR AN INTERVIEW.

PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR EMPLOYEE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (EIN) WHEN APPLYING AND INDICATE YOUR PERMANENT CIVIL SERVICE TITLE.

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.

DOF's 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.

OTA is seeking a Deed Theft Ombudsperson to support the Mayor's Office of Deed Theft Prevention (MODTP). MODTP and the Deed Theft Ombudsperson will support the City's growing efforts to assist homeowners impacted by deed theft, fraudulent property transfers, foreclosure-related fraud, and other unlawful property practices.

Reporting directly to the Taxpayer and Parking Advocate, the selected candidate's duties and responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:

• Serve as a point of contact for taxpayers seeking assistance related to deed theft and fraudulent deed transfers.
• Interview taxpayers to understand their claims and concerns regarding alleged deed theft or other types of deed transfers.
• Assist homeowners with navigating complex state and city processes by providing information regarding available resources, support services and referrals.
• Assist homeowners with legal processes, connect taxpayers with resources, and ensure their rights are protected.
• Support Mayor's Office of Deed Theft Prevention investigation and research as needed.
• Liaise between homeowners and the Mayor's Office of Deed Theft Prevention, DOF business units, and community resource groups.
• Explain to taxpayers the actions taken, applicable laws, regulations, or procedures as necessary; monitor and track taxpayer's case activity and follow-up actions.
• Input and maintain the case management system with respect to incoming cases and inquiries.
• Assisting with constituent inquiries and identifying trends or systemic issues affecting homeowners and deed theft victims.
• Provide taxpayers with additional support and resources where cases are deemed to not be deed theft.
• Support and advocate for taxpayers who successfully regain title to their homes after deed theft and need resources to address their outstanding tax liability.
• Support public education efforts and develop outreach designed to increase awareness of deed theft prevention resources and available assistance programs.
• Conduct policy analysis, research, and investigations in the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate as necessary.
• Research New York property, criminal, and civil law, New York City property and business tax, and fees collected by the Department of Finance, as needed.
• Suggest ideas and improvements that will enhance the effectiveness of the Deed Theft Prevention processes and Department of Finance procedures.
• Assist the Taxpayer Advocate with the preparation of any annual or periodic reports required by statute or otherwise.
• Assist in special projects and research projects.

Additional Information:

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

This position may be eligible for remote work up to 2 days per week, pursuant to the Remote Work Pilot Program agreed between the City and the Collective Bargaining Unit representing employees serving in the civil service title.

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF ANALYST ( - 1002A

Minimum Qualifications

1. A master's degree from an accredited college in economics, finance, accounting, business or public administration, human resources management, management science, operations research, organizational behavior, industrial psychology, statistics, personnel administration, labor relations, psychology, sociology, human resources development, political science, urban studies or a closely related field, and two years of satisfactory full-time professional experience in one or a combination of the following: working with the budget of a large public or private concern in budget administration, accounting, economic or financial administration, or fiscal or economic research; in management or methods analysis, operations research, organizational research or program evaluation; in personnel or public administration, recruitment, position classification, personnel relations, employee benefits, staff development, employment program planning/administration, labor market research, economic planning, social services program planning/evaluation, or fiscal management; or in a related area. 18 months of this experience must have been in an executive, managerial, administrative or supervisory capacity. Supervision must have included supervising staff performing professional work in the areas described above; or

2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and four years of professional experience in the areas described in "1" above, including the 18 months of executive, managerial, administrative or supervisory experience, as described in "1" above.

Preferred Skills

• Experience working in constituent services and community outreach. - Strong knowledge of issues related to deed theft property fraud. - Demonstrate did ability to manage sensitive and complex constituent matter with professionalism empathy and discretion strong written verbal organizational and interpersonal communication skills. - Ability to coordinate with multiple stakeholders including government agency legal providers advocacy organization and community groups - Experience preparing reports, presentation correspondence and case related documentation.

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

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.

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.