DEPUTY INSPECTOR

Deputy Inspector

The New York City Department of Homeless Services (DHS) is the largest organization in the United States dedicated to preventing and addressing homelessness. In partnership with other City agencies and nonprofit organizations, DHS works to prevent homelessness before it begins, reduce street homelessness, provide temporary shelter, and connect individuals and families to stable housing all with a focus on accountability, empathy, and equity. DHS is committed to continuous improvement and employs innovative strategies to deliver high-quality services that support a swift transition from shelter to self-sufficiency. The agency manages hundreds of facilities and operates with a large team as well as a several billion-dollar budget to meet the diverse needs of New Yorkers experiencing homelessness.

The Shelter Security Management team is responsible for establishing and maintaining safety across DHS facilities. Building on existing strategies, the team works to strengthen security while improving connections between New Yorkers experiencing homelessness and essential services, shelter, and housing. This effort is guided by a trauma-informed approach to site management and security, alongside ongoing evaluation using data to measure effectiveness and progress toward overall security goals.

The Department of Homeless Services is seeking to hire one (1) Supervising Special Officer III to function as a Deputy Inspector within the Shelter Security Management Unit who will:

• Exercise borough-wide command authority over DHS Police operations, ensuring consistent enforcement, safety outcomes, and compliance across all assigned facilities.
• Direct and holds Captains accountable for operational performance, staffing, discipline, and enforcement practices across multiple facilities.
• Develop and implement borough-level enforcement strategies, deployment models, and risk mitigation plans based on incident trends and operational needs.
• Monitor and analyze performance metrics, including incident patterns, officer activity, and compliance indicators, and implement corrective actions.
• Oversee and coordinates responses to major incidents and emergencies, providing command-level leadership and ensuring alignment with executive direction.
• Review investigative outcomes, incident reports, and enforcement actions to ensure quality, consistency, and adherence to DHS standards.
• Manage borough-wide staffing strategies, including deployment, resource allocation, and addressing systemic coverage gaps.
• Serve as the primary liaison with shelter providers, program leadership, and external agencies to address borough-wide safety and operational concerns.
• Drive leadership development and succession planning for Captains and Lieutenants, ensuring a strong and capable command structure.

Supervising Special Officers are required to work a variety of shifts, including nights, weekends (Saturdays and Sundays), and holidays. This role involves significant physical activity and exposure to a range of environmental conditions. Duties may include working outdoors in all types of weather; walking or standing for extended periods within an assigned area; and operating or remaining seated in a patrol vehicle while maintaining a high level of alertness. Officers may be required to pursue fleeing suspects, climb stairs, and assist in carrying injured individuals. Responsibilities also include physically restraining individuals using appropriate techniques, such as applying handcuffs, and maintaining control to prevent escape. This role may involve engaging in physical confrontations to subdue resisting individuals. Additional demands include detecting odors such as smoke or gas leaks; remaining physically active for prolonged periods; and effectively understanding verbal communication over radios in noisy environments. Officers must also be able to read and write in low-light conditions and carry or wear heavy equipment, including a bullet-resistant vest. This description is intended to provide a general overview of the position and does not encompass all duties and responsibilities.