The Office of Asylum Seeker Operations (OASO) is leading New York City’s response to, and service
provision for, the influx of asylum seekers. New York City’s response is unique throughout the nation and
includes complex services for asylum seekers, including but not limited to: legal supports, advocacy,
shelter, education, workforce training, clothing and food donations, and collaboration with faith-based and
community-based organizations.
OASO coordinates between agencies, makes sure that agencies have the resources they need, and
manages the City’s advocacy to the state and federal governments. OASO also leads strategic planning
for the City’s response, including long-term planning and policy drafting.
Asylum Application Help Center
In June 2023, OASO opened the Asylum Application Help Center (AAHC) at the Red Cross in Midtown.
Under the direction of City managers, the AAHC supports hundreds of asylum seekers per week with
immediate, high-quality assistance preparing and submitting applications for asylum pro se. The AAHC
does not offer full representation.
Interested asylum seekers are scheduled for one-on-one appointments at the application help center,
where trained application assistants work with the applicant to answer questions. Experienced
immigration lawyers are on site to supervise application assistants and provide guidance; interpreters
are on site to provide in-person language assistance.
The Office of Asylum Seeker Operations (OASO) is seeking one (1) Strategic Initiative Specialist to function as Operations Director, Asylum Application Help Center.
The Operations Director at the AAHC, reporting to the AAHC Executive Director, will serve as the on-site
lead on all operational matters.
The Operations Director, Asylum Application Help Center. will:

• Drive strategic planning for the administration and internal processes of the AAHC, including fiscal

processing, staffing, and operational policies, and procedures.

• Advise and make recommendations on overall budget. Develop high-level strategies around budget

planning and execution, technology usage, and Council hearing preparation.

• Manage and track budget and spending, developing systems as needed. Work with various

stakeholders to coordinate funding sources, track expenditures, and produce quarterly reports.

• Manage AAHC’s procurement needs and logistics, in partnership with other City agencies.
• Develop management and other operational tools for staff that help with effective and efficient

workflow systems.

• Manage difficult and responsible professional personnel work in all aspects of

clerical/administrative and related staff activities concerned with the intake and processing of AAHC
candidates.

• Candidate must demonstrate knowledge of and support for EEO standards and procedures and

promote a workplace free from safety hazards
Work Shift/Hours:
Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm
Work Location:
22 Reade Street, NY, NY
Minimum Qualifications

• A baccalaureate degree and two (2) years of responsible full-time paid experience

in one or more of the fields of: information technology, methods analysis,
operations research, systems analysis, financial administration, cost effectiveness,
or fiscal and economic program or design evaluation; or

• A satisfactory equivalent of education and experience. However, all candidates

must possess at least one year of the experience as described under “1”.
Preferred Skills

• A master's degree preferred. - Two years of satisfactory full-time professional experience in one or a combination of the following: working with the budget of a large public or private concern in budget administration, accounting, economic or financial administration, or fiscal or economic research in management or methods analysis, operations research, organizational research or program evaluation in personnel or public administration, recruitment, position classification, personnel relations, employee benefits, staff development, employment program planning/administration, labor market research, economic planning, social services program planning/evaluation, or fiscal management or in a related area. 18 months of this experience must have been in an executive, managerial, administrative or supervisory capacity. Supervision must have included supervising staff performing professional work in the areas described above. - Ability to work with many stakeholders and respond promptly to email. - Flexible, can-do attitude, with a strong sense of teamwork. - A willingness to undergo training about immigration procedures.

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 https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.
Residency Requirement
New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.
Additional Information
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.