The New York City Department of Correction (DOC) is an integral part of the City’s evolving criminal justice system, participating in reform initiatives and strategies aimed to move the City towards a smaller jail system without compromising public safety. The DOC is responsible for maintaining a safe and secure environment for our employees, visitors, volunteers, and people in our custody. Importantly, safe jails enable DOC to provide people in custody with the tools and opportunities they need to successfully re-enter their communities. The DOC operates facilities and court commands across the five boroughs with more than 7,500 diverse professionals and knowledgeable experts.

The DOC seeks to recruit an Assistant Commissioner to support the Division of Programs and Community Partnerships’ oversight of program operations in the Department’s Counseling Services Unit and Supportive Structured Housing (SSH) Units. SSH Units are defined as units like Enhanced Supervision Housing (ESH/RESH), the Special Management Unit (SMU), or more broadly restrictive housing. In consultation and under the guidance of the Division’s Deputy Commissioner and Associate Commissioner, and with wide latitude for independent judgement and decision making, the Assistant Commissioner of Counseling Services and SSH designs, develops, trains, implements, and manages programs and services for SSH and restrictive housing as well as the Division’s Counseling Unit; maintains contact with internal and external stakeholders on the effectiveness of programs and services and recommends procedural and programmatic improvements; ensures all individuals assigned to SSH Units, like ESH or SMU, receive a comprehensive orientation on the reasons for placement, expectations, access to, and participation in a comprehensive menu of programs and services; ensures that criteria for advancing, regressing, or remaining at specific levels are objectively adhered to and clearly communicated to the individuals; convenes daily, weekly and ad-hoc stakeholder meetings to ensure programs are afforded in a comprehensive, integrated, client centered manner; monitors and guides staff members assigned to the Intervention and Support Teams as well as ensure adherence of established policies and protocols. This Assistant Commissioner will oversee all efforts around substance misuse programming, working closely with contracted providers and on federal grants to improve service provision. This Assistant Commissioner will support the Department’s trauma-informed care programming, working closely with contracted providers and other stakeholders to ensure we afford services through a trauma-informed lens. They will oversee and provide guidance to the Executive Directors, Director, Deputy Directors, and Program Managers assigned to the operation and performance of the Division’s Counseling Unit. Maintains statistics, assists in research and best practices pertaining to correctional treatments; determines appropriate staffing levels and directs management and coordination of staff who might impact programs and services. Performs related duties as required.

Preferred Skills

• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate the efforts of numerous agencies and individuals to create viable and effective program service delivery systems;
• Background in Counseling Services, with a strong understanding of the work facilitated by a counselor, therapist, social worker, intervention specialist, or substance misuse provider.
• Ability to build strong relationships with providers, volunteers, and manage contracts. Knowledge of restorative justice practices and how these practices can be applied in a correctional setting.
• Exceptional project management skills, interpersonal skills, presentation skills, and writing skills;
• Ability to work effectively and build relationships within all levels in an organization, working with other leaders to improve access to services and ensure compliance with program mandates;
• Ability to adapt to rapid change, multi-task, and meet restrictive deadlines;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, as well as strong listening skills and ability to produce effective talking points to be delivered by senior management.
• Expert knowledge of DOC policies and broader correctional best practices.

- Ability to analyze risk and feasibility in the execution of large intra- and inter-agency projects in a jail or prison context.

• Knowledge of budgets and fiscal management related to strategic program implementation.

ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER (DOC) - 95041

Assistant Commissioner, Counseling Services Unit and Supportive Structured Housing