CASE MANAGEMENT TEAM LEADER

Agency HRA/DEPT OF SOCIAL SERVICES; New York (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The New York City Department of Social Services (DSS) seeks an Associate Benefits Opportunity Specialist II to lead BOS teams, supervise eligibility determinations, and coordinate services across FIA/Benefits Access Center components. The role drives timely processing, housing interventions, and employment planning for New Yorkers in need.

Under Associate Benefits Opportunity Specialist III supervision, you will guide case management, ensure accurate reporting, and collaborate with Rental

Qualifications

• Four-year high school diploma or equivalent with extensive relevant experience in social/human services.
• Bachelor's degree plus 18 months of experience as Benefits Opportunity Specialist or related work.
• Alternative substitution of college credits for experience with at least 18 months in the described roles.

Responsibilities

• Monitor BOS workflow for application processing and case reopenings.
• Review cases and authorize benefits as needed.
• Ensure accuracy/timeliness of reports and work lists.
• Coordinate with Rental Assistance Unit and manage housing-related interventions.
• Lead BOS teams to interview applicants and assess eligibility for benefits and Medicaid.
• Oversee post-establishment service delivery and ongoing eligibility.
• Develop Employment Assessments and Plans to promote self-sufficiency.
• Plan staffing, schedules, and monitor performance and outcomes.
• Support case consultations for difficult cases and provide guidance.

Skills

Supervisory skills

Case management

Eligibility determination

Staff coordination

Public benefits knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree

Degree in social work/public administration

Tools

Microsoft Office

Case management software

Job description

APPLICANTS MUST BE PERMANENT IN THE ASSOCIATE BENEFITS OPPORTUNITY SPECIALIST CIVIL SERVICE TITLE

The Department of Social Services (DSS) is comprised of the administrative units of the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) and the Department of Homeless Services (DHS). HRA is dedicated to fighting poverty and income inequality by providing New Yorkers in need with essential benefits such as Food Assistance and Emergency Rental Assistance. DHS is committed to preventing and addressing homelessness in New York City by employing a variety of innovative strategies to help families and individuals successfully exit shelter and return to self‑sufficiency as quickly as possible.

Family Independence Administration provides temporary help to individuals and families with social service and economic needs to assist them in reaching self‑sufficiency via essential and diverse programs/services, such as: temporary cash assistance, SNAP, childcare, eviction prevention services, adult protective services, job training, employment plans /economic support, domestic violence assistance, child support enforcement, etc.

Under the direction of the Associate Benefits Opportunity Specialist III, the Associate Benefits Opportunity Specialist II (ABOS II) is responsible for supervising team(s) of BOS staff, who provide various functions of eligibility determination, financial planning, economic support opportunities and monitoring other related services to persons in need, to promote individual and family self‑sufficiency. The ABOS II uses supervisory, program development, quantitative analysis, and other research skills in accomplishing all the goals of FIA/Benefits Access Center and its components (Application, Financial Planning, Economic Opportunity Services, Under care, etc.)

The Family Independence Administration (FIA) is recruiting for one (1) Associate Benefits Opportunity Specialist II, to function as Case Management Team Leader, who will:

• - Monitor the workflow of BOS workers who handle the entire application process for all new applicants; Family Assistance cases which have been closed for over sixty days; all Safety Net case reopens which have been closed regardless of date; and one-shot deals.
• - Review specific cases and authorize benefits as required.
• - Review the accuracy and timeliness of reports, including all relevant Work lists.
• - Act as liaison to the Rental Assistance Unit.
• - Conduct daily sweeps to ensure timely and proper service.
• - Manage a team of BOS workers who interview applicants and assess eligibility for immediate needs grant (food and non-food); for employability and eligibility for public assistance, food stamps and Medicaid; works with applicants to remove barriers to employment and makes referrals to other services as needed.
• - Manage a team of BOS workers who provide comprehensive service delivery to participants after the establishment of the participant’s case; Family Assistance case that have been closed less than sixty days or Safety Net cases that have been closed in error.
• - Manage a team of BOS workers who manage all aspects of the case, including establishing on‑going eligibility, assessing participants, developing appropriate Employment Assessment and Employment Plans, and executing specific strategies designed to help participants achieve self‑sufficiency.
• - Ensure adequate planning, scheduling, and monitoring of case management activities and conduct regular reviews of outcome reports, work list, audits and assess client feedback to ensure the team is maintaining adequate levels of performance necessary to move participants toward self‑sufficiency.
• - Assist with case consultation on individual cases and guidance on difficult cases in the case planning process as necessary to ensure the appropriate approach is developed to suit the participant’s needs and achieve the best plan for the individual to progress to self‑sufficiency.
• - Oversee teams of clerical and BOS workers who provide quick service for those clients who walk‑in or telephone the Center. Additionally, the team will take appropriate action on reported changes, provide information and documentation as requested by the participants and maintain contact with other teams to ensure awareness of all activity that will affect the case management plan.
• - Oversee staff that interview and determine housing needs of tenants at risk for homelessness or already homeless reporting to Benefits Access Centers. Develop ant‑eviction/housing plan of intervention for referred participants.
• - Monitor conference activities and prepare regular reports on unit activities.
• - Perform final review of packets prior to fair hearing and determines whether a resolution will be required prior to the hearing. Using Strategies and techniques aimed at securing success in the hearing room, ardently represents the Agency.
• - Prepare reports on key performance outcomes and ensure that necessary corrective actions are implemented in a timely manner.
• - May conduct fields’ visits.

Hours/Shift:

8:30am – 5:00pm with Flex Schedules

ASSOCIATE BENEFITS OPPORTUNITY - 56316

Minimum Qualifications

1. A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent, and three years of full‑time satisfactory experience working directly in social/human services or a related setting, providing either:

a) client services.

b) employment planning/counseling services which involves job development, skills assessment, and employment placement or other economic opportunity programming.

2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college; plus eighteen months of full‑time satisfactory experience working as a Benefits Opportunity Specialist; or

3. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college; plus eighteen months of full‑time satisfactory experience as described in one (1) above.

4. College credit from an accredited college may be substituted for this experience on the basis of 60 semester credits for 9 months of the work experience described above. However, all candidates must have at least 18 months of full‑time satisfactory experience working as a Benefits Opportunity Specialist or performing social/human services work as described in one (1) above.

55a Program

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55‑a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55‑a Program.

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 not required for this position

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.