About the job
We are seeking dedicated individuals for the role of Facility Specialist within the New York City Department of Homeless Services (DHS). As the largest organization in the U. S. focused on preventing and addressing homelessness, DHS collaborates with various city and nonprofit partners to proactively combat homelessness, enhance street safety, provide temporary shelter, and facilitate access to stable housing with a commitment to accountability, empathy, and equity.
Our agency is dedicated to continuous improvement, employing innovative strategies to deliver high-quality services that ensure a rapid transition from shelter to self-sufficiency. Managing hundreds of facilities and operating under a substantial budget, we cater to the diverse needs of New Yorkers experiencing homelessness.
The Routine Site Review Inspections (RSRI) unit is tasked with inspecting over 450 shelters, coordinating efforts with the NYC Department of Buildings, Fire Department, Housing Preservation & Development, Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, and the Office of Temporary Disability Assistance. This unit ensures preventive maintenance is upheld, addressing potential issues proactively while managing the City’s 311 hotline for shelter condition reports. Additionally, the unit collaborates with the ACCO’s Office to develop Corrective Action Plans (CAPs) for contract registration and reviews new requests from shelter providers while overseeing the 24-hour emergency call desk.
As a Facility Specialist, you will:
- Conduct thorough inspections of shelter conditions across the five boroughs, ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal Multiple Dwelling Laws and Housing Maintenance Codes using the RSRI report as a guideline.
- Assess the adequacy of lighting, heating, ventilation, plumbing, and gas appliances, checking for safety hazards such as carbon monoxide emissions, garbage, stagnant water, sewage, and improper drainage.
- Document findings that deviate from health and safety standards and relevant regulations.
- Monitor the status of outstanding violations from city agencies, assisting providers in addressing necessary repairs and formulating Corrective Action Plans through collaborative discussions.

