What are the responsibilities and job description for the Deputy Commissioner, Organizational Development & Human Resources position at NYC Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP)?
The NYC Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) mission is to protect public health and the environment by supplying the highest-quality drinking water; treating and recovering valuable resources from wastewater to protect New York City’s waterways; minimizing exposure to air, noise, and hazardous materials pollution; and constructing dependable infrastructure to foster a more resilient New York City for generations to come. DEP is the largest combined municipal water and wastewater utility in the country, with more than 5,500 employees. DEP's water supply system is comprised of 19 reservoirs and 3 controlled lakes throughout the system's 2,000 square mile watershed that extends 125 miles north and west of the City. DEP annually collects $4.8B in revenues, primarily through customer billing. These funds support DEP’s operations and its $33B Ten-Year Capital Construction Plan.
The Bureau of Organizational Development & Human Resources (OD&HR) serves as DEP’s internal consultant and strategic partner on organizational culture, workforce development, and human resources. DEP’s operations span the five boroughs and New York City’s watershed, supporting one of the nation’s largest water and wastewater systems. This broad mission requires a skilled and diverse workforce, including scientists, engineers, customer service professionals, chemists, environmental police officers, skilled tradespeople, administrative staff, and many others.
OD&HR supports this workforce across the full employee lifecycle, from recruitment through retirement. The Bureau provides services, guidance, and programs that respond to employee concerns, staff development needs, and both immediate and long-term talent requirements. OD&HR works closely with employees, agency leadership, labor representatives, employee affinity groups, and other City agencies to ensure compliance with applicable laws, policies, and procedures; strengthen workforce practices; and meet DEP’s evolving operational needs. Through this work, OD&HR helps ensure that DEP is supported by qualified, well-trained, engaged, and professional staff. This work is especially important as more than 55% of DEP’s current workforce will be eligible to retire over the next decade.
DEP is seeking an experienced Human Resources leader to serve as Deputy Commissioner, OD&HR. The Deputy Commissioner will play a critical role in strengthening the systems, services, and workforce strategies that support DEP’s ability to deliver on its essential public health and environmental mission. This role will report directly to the agency’s Chief Financial Officer, who oversees DEP’s core business support functions. The Deputy Commissioner will provide strategic vision and oversight for OD&HR’s staff of more than 80 employees across key functional areas, including administration of New York City’s civil service system, workforce planning and recruitment, employee benefits, staff development and training, payroll and timekeeping, and labor relations and discipline. The Deputy Commissioner will also drive improvements in how OD&HR delivers services to DEP’s bureaus, with a focus on business process improvement, operational responsiveness, and customer service.
Additionally, the Deputy Commissioner will lead strategic partnerships with oversight agencies including the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), the New York City Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Mayor’s Office of Labor Relations (OLR). The Deputy Commissioner will also play a key role in managing the agency’s relationship with union locals representing DEP staff, helping to support productive dialogues, address workforce concerns, and advance agency priorities in a collaborative and constructive manner.
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER (DEP) - 95275
Minimum Qualifications
The ideal candidate will possess: A Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college with major course work in human resources, business administration, public administration, or a closely related field a Master's or equivalent degree is highly desirable At least 10 years of experience serving in a senior Human Resources leadership role in the public sector, with a proven track record of successful change management initiatives, strategic planning, performance measurement, and continuous quality improvement Experience leading a diverse staff organization, consistent with executive direction and agency principles and values Experience working with both office and field staff, including a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with union locals, a commitment to staff development, and strong interpersonal skills Extensive knowledge of applicable federal, State, and City of New York human resources and related civil service, and labor-related laws, regulations, legal mandates, guidelines, and standards affecting public sector agencies Knowledge of NYC’s workforce related systems such as NYCAPS, PMS, PRISE, CHRMS, and FMS Professional certification in human resources, labor relations, or public administration, such as SHRM-SCP, SPHR, PHR, or a public sector HR credential, is preferred Tools to balance conflicting objectives and policies diplomatically identify, negotiate, and administer effective resolutions and Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
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.
, $240,000.00 – $267,840.00
The Bureau of Organizational Development & Human Resources (OD&HR) serves as DEP’s internal consultant and strategic partner on organizational culture, workforce development, and human resources. DEP’s operations span the five boroughs and New York City’s watershed, supporting one of the nation’s largest water and wastewater systems. This broad mission requires a skilled and diverse workforce, including scientists, engineers, customer service professionals, chemists, environmental police officers, skilled tradespeople, administrative staff, and many others.
OD&HR supports this workforce across the full employee lifecycle, from recruitment through retirement. The Bureau provides services, guidance, and programs that respond to employee concerns, staff development needs, and both immediate and long-term talent requirements. OD&HR works closely with employees, agency leadership, labor representatives, employee affinity groups, and other City agencies to ensure compliance with applicable laws, policies, and procedures; strengthen workforce practices; and meet DEP’s evolving operational needs. Through this work, OD&HR helps ensure that DEP is supported by qualified, well-trained, engaged, and professional staff. This work is especially important as more than 55% of DEP’s current workforce will be eligible to retire over the next decade.
DEP is seeking an experienced Human Resources leader to serve as Deputy Commissioner, OD&HR. The Deputy Commissioner will play a critical role in strengthening the systems, services, and workforce strategies that support DEP’s ability to deliver on its essential public health and environmental mission. This role will report directly to the agency’s Chief Financial Officer, who oversees DEP’s core business support functions. The Deputy Commissioner will provide strategic vision and oversight for OD&HR’s staff of more than 80 employees across key functional areas, including administration of New York City’s civil service system, workforce planning and recruitment, employee benefits, staff development and training, payroll and timekeeping, and labor relations and discipline. The Deputy Commissioner will also drive improvements in how OD&HR delivers services to DEP’s bureaus, with a focus on business process improvement, operational responsiveness, and customer service.
Additionally, the Deputy Commissioner will lead strategic partnerships with oversight agencies including the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), the New York City Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Mayor’s Office of Labor Relations (OLR). The Deputy Commissioner will also play a key role in managing the agency’s relationship with union locals representing DEP staff, helping to support productive dialogues, address workforce concerns, and advance agency priorities in a collaborative and constructive manner.
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER (DEP) - 95275
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college and 4 years of satisfactory experience of a nature to qualify for the duties and responsibilities of the position, at least 18 months of which must have been in an administrative, managerial, consultative or executive capacity or supervising personnel performing activities related to the duties of the position; or
- A combination of education and/or experience equivalent to "1" above. However, all candidates must have the 18 months of administrative, managerial, executive, consultative or supervisory experience described in "1" above.
The ideal candidate will possess: A Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college with major course work in human resources, business administration, public administration, or a closely related field a Master's or equivalent degree is highly desirable At least 10 years of experience serving in a senior Human Resources leadership role in the public sector, with a proven track record of successful change management initiatives, strategic planning, performance measurement, and continuous quality improvement Experience leading a diverse staff organization, consistent with executive direction and agency principles and values Experience working with both office and field staff, including a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with union locals, a commitment to staff development, and strong interpersonal skills Extensive knowledge of applicable federal, State, and City of New York human resources and related civil service, and labor-related laws, regulations, legal mandates, guidelines, and standards affecting public sector agencies Knowledge of NYC’s workforce related systems such as NYCAPS, PMS, PRISE, CHRMS, and FMS Professional certification in human resources, labor relations, or public administration, such as SHRM-SCP, SPHR, PHR, or a public sector HR credential, is preferred Tools to balance conflicting objectives and policies diplomatically identify, negotiate, and administer effective resolutions and Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
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.
, $240,000.00 – $267,840.00
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