Hearing Officer

The Office of Impartial Hearings (OIH) is an administrative tribunal which conducts hearings. The OIH is a fast-paced environment and has a demanding workload. The Hearing Examiner/Officer must be fair, impartial, disinterested, and ensure that litigants are afforded due process. The Hearing Examiner/Officer must ensure that administrative hearings adhere to the procedural requirements of Federal Consent Decrees which gave rise to the administrative hearing process.

Under administrative supervision, with considerable latitude for independent action and decision making, the successful candidate will conduct formal hearings, render written decisions, and issue subpoenas on the following:

Termination
-Tenancy
- Leased Housing/Section 8 Subsidy

Grievances
- Remaining Family Member
- Tenant Initiated, such as Rent Grievances and Reasonable Accommodation Requests
- Leased Housing/Section 8 Voucher Holders, such as Rent Share Calculation and Section 8 Reasonable Accommodation Requests
- Over-Income

Appeals
- Applicant or Trespass
- Tenant Reasonable Accommodation Requests

Duties and responsibilities include the following:

1. Conduct formal administrative hearings relating to, inter alia, NYCHA-initiated termination of tenancy proceedings involving allegations of non-desirability, breach of rules and regulations, chronic breach of rules and regulations, violation of probation, violation of permanent exclusion, chronic rent delinquency, non-verifiable income, assignment and transfer of possession and misrepresentation; remaining family member grievances (succession claims), rent determination grievances, Section 8 termination of subsidy proceedings and Section 8 share of rent or monthly housing assistance proceedings.
2. Render a written decision at the conclusion of each administrative hearing. The written decision must include the charges as applicable, all relevant issues raised at the hearing by testimony and evidence presented, specific findings as to whether the charges have been proven and a disposition. Conduct legal research relating to any issues raised during the administrative hearing or in post hearing memoranda.
3. Review written applications submitted by tenants, grievants and their legal representatives, if any, seeking to re-open administrative default determinations and opposition papers submitted by NYCHA Law Department, if any. Render written determinations, with legal analyses and findings on such applications.
4. Review documents submitted by NYCHA Law Department in support of requests for default termination or default probation to ensure timely and proper notification to tenants who fail to appear for administrative hearings. Render written determinations on such requests.
5. Review documents submitted by NYCHA Law Department in support of request for dismissal to ensure timely and proper notification to grievants and Section 8 participants who fail to appear for administrative hearings. Render written determinations on such requests.
6. Review written applications submitted by tenants and their legal representatives to remove the condition of permanent exclusion and opposition papers submitted by NYCHA Law Department. Render written determinations on such applications.
7. Review written requests pursuant to Mental Competence Assessment and Guardians Ad Litem, (GM Revised), to set aside Hearing Officers’ decisions, stipulations of settlement or defaults based upon claims of mental incompetence and opposition papers submitted by NYCHA Law Department. Render written determinations on such requests.
8. Possess an understanding of the effect of Court Orders issued in other forums, upon an administrative proceeding, including but not limited to, an appointment of an Article 81 Guardian pursuant to an Order issued in New York Supreme Court; a stay of an administrative proceeding pursuant to an Order issued in New York Supreme Court; a So-Ordered stipulation between the parties from New York City Housing Court that includes terms indicating vacatur of an apartment; and an Order from New York City Family Court indicating the appointment of a Kinship Guardian for a litigant.
9. Stay current with federal regulations, NYCHA regulations, policy, procedures, forms and relevant caselaw.

NOTE: This position is in the Competitive Class and subject to the Civil Service examination requirements of the City of New York. To the extent a Civil Service examination for the title of “Hearing Examiner (HA)” is offered, any one appointed serving on a non-permanent basis in title will be required to take and pass said examination and be appointed from the list produced from such examination in order to maintain employment.

NOTE: IF THIS APPOINTMENT IS MADE ON A PROVISIONAL BASIS PURSUANT TO 65 OF THE NYS CIVIL SERVICE LAW, NO TENURE OR PERMANENCE ACCRUES TO AN INCUMBENT IN THIS POSITION BY VIRTUE OF SUCH APPOINTMENT.

NOTE: This position is open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate in your cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position under the 55-a Program. For detailed information regarding the 55-a Program, please click on the link below:

Information

1. At the time of Appointment and for as long as candidate is in the position of Hearing Examiner/Officer, candidate must possess a valid license to practice law before the Courts of New York State.
2. NYCHA employees applying for transfer, promotion, title or level change opportunities must have served a period of one year at current location and in current title and level (if applicable).
3. NYCHA residents are encouraged to apply.
4. NYCHA provides benefits that include a choice of medical coverage plans, deferred compensation plans and a defined pension benefit plan as a member of the New York City Employees’ Retirement System (NYCERS).

Please read this posting carefully to make certain you meet the minimum qualification requirements before applying to this position.

HEARING EXAMINER (HA) -

Minimum Qualifications

Qualification Requirements
1. Five years of full-time paid responsible experience in the field of Administrative Law or the actual preparation and trial of cases in court, the preparation and presentation of appeals therefrom, or the hearing of such cases within a court of record, governmental body or similar organization; or

2. A satisfactory equivalent. However, all candidates must have at least three years of full-time paid responsible experience as described above.

License Requirement
At the time of Appointment, candidates must possess a valid license to practice law in the State of New York.

Preferred Skills
1. Knowledge of the NYCHA termination of tenancy and grievance procedures, applicable HUD regulations and Federal, State and City laws pertaining to public housing.2. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 3. Proficiency in Microsoft Word and other related Microsoft software, including TEAMS. 4. Exceptional analytical ability. 5. Superb legal analysis, legal writing and editing, and oral advocacy. 6. Outstanding organizational, interpersonal communication skills, problem solving, and teamwork. 7. Excellent grasp of technology, including knowledge of and experience with various computer software programs and case management and electronic discovery platforms.
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 class="jobad-residencyRequirement">Residency RequirementNYCHA has no residency requirements.