Compliance Advisor

Agency Description

The New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) is a vibrant, client-centered agency whose mission is to serve New York’s small businesses, jobseekers and commercial districts. SBS makes it easier for companies in New York City to start, operate, and expand by providing direct assistance to business owners, supporting commercial districts, promoting financial and economic opportunity among minority- and women-owned businesses, preparing New Yorkers for jobs, and linking employers with a skilled and qualified workforce.

SBS continues to reach for higher professional standards through innovative systems, new approaches to government, and a strong focus on its employees. SBS also works to make changes to the overall regulatory environment to help the small business community.

The Division of Business Services (DBS) is dedicated to helping NYC businesses start, operate, and expand in New York City while leading systemic change to improve the regulatory environment for businesses. The Division is guided by principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion.

NYC BEST (Business Express Service Team) is a dedicated team who educate and advocate for entrepreneurs as they launch and operate their storefront businesses across the five boroughs. Through their knowledge of city, state and federal agency rules and regulations, the team helps small business owners navigate licenses and permits as well as avoid and reduce fines and violations. NYC BEST Compliance Advisors work directly with new and existing businesses looking to open and operate in New York City alongside NYC BEST Small Business Advocates.

They visit small businesses throughout the five boroughs and assess the business space to help owners understand how to comply with City, State, and Federal rules and regulations and avoid violations. The onsite consultations performed by the NYC BEST Compliance Advisors help business owners understand regulations and recommend actions businesses should take to become compliant. To facilitate this work, Compliance Advisors will become experts in the regulatory requirements of multiple City or State agencies, as well as relevant Federal regulations as needed, including but not limited to: the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), Department of Buildings (DOB), Fire Department (FDNY), Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Department of Sanitation (DSNY), Department of Consumer & Worker Protection (DCWP), New York State Agriculture and Markets (Ags and Market), and State Liquor Authority (SLA).

• Service Delivery:
  • Conduct onsite walkthroughs with small businesses, providing one‑on‑one guidance that addresses a business’ specific questions and needs regarding compliance.
  • Describe the regulatory inspection process and what business owners should expect during an inspection.
  • Explain possible actions business owners could take to eliminate conditions contributing to noncompliance with City, State, and Federal laws, rules, and regulations.
  • Be prepared to outline the adjudication process for violations received, including general time frames and the appropriate tribunal court for hearings.
  • Refer business owners to additional resources or information as needed to further promote and enable compliance.
  • Document key findings from the consultation and follow up as needed with business owners to provide additional clarification or compliance‑related support.
• Subject Matter Research:
  • Conduct research into City and relevant NYS codes, permits, and requirements.
  • Conduct research into rules and regulations of agency processes, as assigned.
  • Support deepening NYC BEST’s impact to storefront small businesses by proposing areas for improvement and development.
  • Support internal trainings or knowledge‑sharing sessions related to regulatory changes or agency processes.
• Performance Management:
  • Ensure Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and program goals are met, and that data is correctly entered in SBS Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software.
  • Maintain accurate and specific status reports in the designated software or data analysis tools of…