CAPTAIN

APPLICANTS MUST BE PERMANENT IN THE SUPERVISING SPECIAL OFFICER CIVIL SERVICE TITLE

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 Captain within the Shelter Security Management Unit who will:

- Oversee operations across multiple shelter facilities within an assigned borough or portfolio, ensuring safety, security, and compliance.

- Supervise Lieutenants responsible for individual facility commands, ensuring accountability, performance management, and adherence to DHS standards.

- Direct daily enforcement operations, including incident response, investigations, and crime prevention strategies.

- Respond to significant incidents and escalations, providing leadership and coordination across multiple sites.

- Ensure appropriate staffing, deployment, and coverage across facilities, addressing gaps due to callouts or emergencies.

- Review incident reports and enforcement actions to ensure accuracy, quality, and compliance.

- Monitor trends in incidents and operational challenges across facilities and implements corrective actions.

- Coordinate with shelter providers and program leadership to address safety concerns and improve site conditions.

- Support training, mentoring, and development of Lieutenants and subordinate staff.

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.

Hours/Schedule: Varies

SUPERVISING SPECIAL OFFICER - 70817

A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent approved by a state's department of education or a recognized accrediting organization and one year of fulltime satisfactory experience in the field of law enforcement, protection or security.

Individuals serving in this title are designated as Peace Officers by the New York State Criminal Procedure Law. Therefore, all candidates must be qualified to serve as Peace Officers. Incumbents must satisfy the training requirements established by the State of New York for Peace Officers and obtain certification. Once obtained, this certification must be maintained for the duration of employment.
For Assignment To Assignment Level II:
A. One year of experience as a Supervising Special Officer-Assignment Level I; or
B. In addition to meeting the minimum qualification requirements for Assignment Level I above, one year of experience in the field of law enforcement, protection or security in a supervisory capacity.

For Assignment to Assignment Level III:
A. Two years of experience as a Supervising Special Officer; or
B. In addition to meeting the minimum qualification requirements for Assignment Level I above, two additional years of full-time experience in the field of law enforcement, protection or security, at least one year of which must have been in a supervisory or administrative capacity.

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.