Job Responsibilities
There are varied job responsibilities associated with this
position. Report writing, working with a colleague on projects,
analysis of data using Excel and reviewing documents relating to
the programs of the department are the more common tasks. For
example, the analysis of data including overtime costs, the
number of personnel assigned to a work unit, identifying
unnecessary costs and reviewing whether a program is cost
efficient. The work is considered operations research, but it
is different than how it's done in the private sector. The job
is nonetheless important as the agency attempts to maintain
costs and identify wastage throughout the department.
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Job Requirements
The job is entry level and requires a combination of a high
school diploma and minimum years of specific experience
including business or public administration, criminology,
sociology, statistics and other related areas. Or if you have
an undergraduate degree in the above majors, you can qualify for
the position without any experience.
This job title is found across many different work units of the
department so each area may prefer someone who has relevant
experience or education to the job function. Some of the work
units that have this job title are Equal Employment Opportunity,
Financial Services, Budget and other related units. The civil
service title for this position is officially known as Assistant
Program Specialist.
Future promotions depend on whether supervision is satisfy with
your work, in their opinion, so there is room to move to the
next position as an Analyst (Program Specialist). There are
currently no promotional civil service exams for this title.
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Uppers
The best thing about this job is the interesting people you meet. There are
many colleagues that come from the private sector including major multinational
firms. They have a wealth of experience and knowledge and if you are willing to
learn, you could further your career. They have interesting stories to tell
about their marks they made in the private sector.
The hours are standard, a 40-hour work week including lunch. There is
occasional overtime, but that doesn't occur too often. You are provided with
different assignments from your supervisor, so the job doesn't become too boring.
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Downers
Bureaucracy and red tape are the hallmarks of any government
agency. Things are slowly done, which is understandable due to
many regulations and oversight the department is subjected to.
The department has to answer to the board of correction, our own
compliance department, the City Comptroller, the Office of
Management and Budget, the feds and other groups.
Most people are slow to respond to your requests for
information. There is almost no communication between the
civilian workers and uniformed members of the department. One,
both groups don't understand what each others' job functions
are. People are supicious and reluctant to provide you with the
necessary information to complete your projects and tasks. So
the lead time is definitely a downer. So negotiation skills and
persistence are important to get the job done, but there is
usually less pressure from management unless it's top priority.
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Lifestyle
As mentioned, the work hours are stable. There is no overtime payment unless
under rare situations. However, any overtime worked will be compensated by time
off. You can accmulate the overtime hours and use it with your vacation time.
There is some travel within the city and depending on what your assignment is.
In addition to the headquarters, there is Rikers Island, other city holding
facilities and other offices. You may occasionally be called for training to
learn the different computer and financial systems used by the City of New York.
The dress code is business casual, but no jeans are allowed. There are no
casual Fridays. But the dress code is not necessarily enforced across the board,
but few people ignore the policy.
The City of New York is a diverse employer with all ethnic backgrounds and
experiences represented. New York City is probably one of the most diverse
places in North America.
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Compensation
This is a government agency so there are no stock options,
bonuses and such. Tuition reimbursement is available from the
union as well as optical and dental insurance at no cost. The
quality of these providers varies, so it's good to do your
homework. But you definitely get a good bang for your buck.
Payroll deductions from health coverage depends on the carrier
you select. There are a few plans that provide coverage at not
cost to employee. Some of the health insurers available
include: Aetna, HIP, Empire Blue Cross, GHI and union sponsored
plans.
The salary range for the Assistant Analyst position varies
depending on past salary history and experience. The base
salary is $33,000 with maximum pay at close to $50,000.
City of New York employees get to take pre-tax deductions from
their gross salary and use it for Flexible Spending Accounts or
towards their public 401-K plan. A definied benefit pension
plan is available to City employees.
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Advice to Jobseekers
This field is not for everyone. The stigma associated with
Correction may depend on whether you want to make a career out
of this department. There are opportunities to transfer to
other City agencies and having government experience may give
you priority for other government positions. It is not unheard
of employees leaving for the private sector. One employee I
heard left the department and found a consulting job with a
major consultant firm.
Correction will always be there. Although some correctional
instiutions in other cities are being privatized. But for the
near and long term future, the city agency will exist.
Professional work will be needed to help the agency look at it's
operations and deliver the programs to the end users.
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