Director, SADC Ombuds Office
DEPARTMENT FOR THE AGING
Full-Time
Location: MANHATTAN
Exam May Be Required
Department: SADC OMBUDSMAN
Salary Range: $110,000.00 – $135,000.00
Job Description
The Director is responsible for the oversight of activities related to the implementation of Local Law 9 of 2015/2018 which mandates all Social Adult Day Care programs operating in NYC to register and update their registration with NYC Aging– SADC Ombuds Office and adhere to the New York State Office (NYSOFA) Standards and municipal rules and regulations. SADC’s serve a vulnerable population of New Yorkers with cognitive decline and/or physical frailty and their continuum of care services meets the critical needs of clients and supports caregivers. It is important that the director be dynamic, take initiative and be efficient in their leadership of the Ombuds Office. The director must ensure that the SADC Ombuds team is conducting their assigned tasks to ensure the safety of vulnerable New Yorkers participating in SADC services. The director will be responsible for the promulgation of all associated Rules to Local Law 9 of 2015/ 2018, and coordination of all efforts with State and City oversight Agencies, Managed Long Term Care (MLTC) plans and the community. The director manages a team consisting of one Registration Coordinator and two Associate Investigators who track complaints and fees, conduct investigations at SAD facilities to respond to complaints and monitor adherence to Standards. The director will ensure that the mission of NYC Aging will be imbedded in their leadership of the Ombuds Office. Seeking an individual that is passionate about working and protecting the safety and well being of older adults residing in their communities and supports their ability to age in place throughout New York City. The director must be confident and familiar with process of conducting interviews, gathering information, and preparing documentations for the purpose of making factual determinations of investigations and review of reports that will go before trials and hearings.
Duties and responsibilities include:
- Receive complaints and determine whether SADC complaints are investigated by the Office. Oversee investigation team in initiating investigations, developing an investigation plan, drafting investigation reports, recommendations, and corrective action plans. Coordinate with NYC Aging General Counsel and NYC Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings, (OATH) on issuing Notice of Violation, (NOV).
- Develop and maintain effective working relationships with oversight agencies, such as New York State Office of Medicaid Inspector General (OMIG), New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), and MLTC plans and other entities involved with SADC issues. Send complaint referrals directly to oversight when warranted and along with SADC and MLTC send notifications of complaints, complaint status, notice of appeals or perfects its appeal. Develop special projects, emphasizing local and state involvement and collaboration, to address critical SADC issues.
- Develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOP) for the Office. Oversee staff in providing outreach, training, administrative and technical assistance, SADC providers to ensure compliance with registration and adherence to Standards.
- Train staff to conduct investigations, monitor and bring complaints to resolution.
- Provide supervision, guidance, leadership and support to investigators in their preparation in investigation reports. Work closely with investigators and the NYC Aging Office of General Counsel to ensure that the investigations conducted along with the supporting reports can be defended during the trials and hearing process of notices of violations issued by the Ombuds office.
- Serve as a critical resource to the public elected officials, potential SADC providers and NYC Aging staff as it relates to SADC issues. Stay abreast of laws, regulations, policies, procedures and actions affecting older citizens and SADC programs.
- Gather, analyze and report data on SADC complaints and registrations to the Senior Director, Caregiver Support on a weekly and monthly basis and to NYC Aging leadership, NYC Council Members, and other entities as needed. Identify complaint trends and issues related to the Office.
- Perform related duties as required and assigned by the Senior Director, Caregiver Support.
Minimum Qualifications
1. Graduation from an accredited college with a baccalaureate degree and five (5) years of full-time, professional experience in social services, community relations, public administration or management, of which at least one year must have been in the field of aging, and of which at least one and one-half years must have been in an administrative or managerial capacity; or
2. Education and experience equivalent to "1" above. However, all candidates must have one year of experience in the field of aging and one and one-half years of experience in an administrative or managerial capacity.
Preferred Skills
- Master’s degree in public administration, social work or related human service or Juris Doctor (JD) and a minimum of 5 years professional experience in areas such as investigation, incident management, quality assurance, and working with adults with disabilities (cognitive, emotional, psychological, and/or physical) of which at least one year must have been in the field of aging.
- A minimum of 5 years management experience in a program setting or quality assurance.
- Proficient with extensive experience conducting factual investigations, including reviewing documents.
- Comfort with data-driven analysis and strategic planning. Proficiency in using Office Suite.
- Demonstrated excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, public speaking and training, analytical, problem solving and management skills.
- Knowledge of federal and state laws, rules and regulations regarding social adult day care, long-term care, and Medicaid.
- Attention to detail and effective in managing multiple priorities with competing deadlines.
- Ability to organize the work, resolve and manage urgent situations and exercise independent judgment with minimum supervision.
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
As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.
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.
