Community Resources Specialist

Sunnyside Community Services, Inc.; New York (NY); On-site; USD 52,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

403(b) retirement plan with employer’s

Flexible spending account

Transit checks

Employee Assistance Program

Paid vacation

Paid sick days

Paid holidays

Life insurance

Long-term disability

Job summary

Sunnyside Community Services seeks a Community Resources Specialist to support immigrant New Yorkers and low-income adults through NYCBenefits guidance, including SNAP, Cash Assistance, and One-Shot Deals. You will connect clients to SCS programs and coordinate internal referrals to Adult & Immigrant Services, home care, senior caregiving, and after-school programs.

The role emphasizes empathetic, holistic support, case management, data tracking, and advocacy with city agencies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field required.
• 2–3 years of relevant experience preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Flexible, patient, resourceful, and able to work independently and creatively.

Responsibilities

• Engage immigrant New Yorkers and low-income adults in one-on-one sessions to assess needs and create tailored support plans.
• Manage a growing caseload by monitoring application status and providing ongoing support.
• Guide clients through NYCBenefits screening, applications, and appeals.
• Advocate with city agencies to ensure access to benefits.
• Maintain client communications on progress and assist with recertifications.
• Facilitate referrals to services such as home care, senior caregiving, and after-school programs.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Oral & written communication

Flexibility

Patience

Resourcefulness

Independent work

Creative thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field

Job description

The Community Resources Specialist on the NYCBenefits team is instrumental in supporting immigrant New Yorkers and low-income adults. The role encompasses guiding these community members through the intricacies of public benefits programs such as SNAP, One-Shot Deals, Cash Assistance, and more. The Community Resources Specialist will also ensure clients are connected to a broader array of services offered by Sunnyside Community Services (SCS), including internal referrals to Adult & Immigrant Services and diverse SCS programs like home care, senior caregiving, and after-school programming for their family members. This position is key to building a comprehensive support network that addresses the multifaceted needs of SCS clients in a holistic and empathetic manner.

Responsibilities

Client Engagement and Case Management

• Engage immigrant New Yorkers and low-income adults in one-on-one sessions to identify their unique needs and create tailored support plans.
• Manage a growing caseload of clients by monitoring clients’ application status as well as economic and other factors to provide ongoing application support or suggest additional interventions.
• Increase caseload by 20 new clients each month
• Guide clients through the NYCBenefits screening, application, and appeals process.
• Advocate with city agencies on behalf of clients to ensure access to eligible benefits.
• Maintain regular communication with clients about their benefits application progress and assist with recertifications.
• Facilitate internal referrals to other Adult & Immigrant Services and SCS programs, such as home care, senior caregiving, and after-school programs for clients’ family members.

Data Management and Reporting

• Collect, maintain, and manage comprehensive electronic files and programmatic data using internal databases.
• Document detailed case notes and track participant demographics and assessments.
• Assist the Program Director with report preparation and data analysis for program evaluation and improvement.

Community Engagement and Advocacy

• Participate in focus groups and support sessions for clients under the guidance of the Program Director.
• Engage in advocacy efforts relevant to the needs of our participants, including rallies, phone banking, and campaign activities.

Additional Duties

• Perform other related duties as needed to enhance the effectiveness of the NYCBenefits team and the SCS mission.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field, plus 2-3 years relevant experience.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including oral and written communication.
• Flexibility, patience, resourcefulness, a willingness to learn, and an ability to work independently and creatively.

Schedule: Full-time (35 hours per week)
Salary: $52,000 – $55,000
Reports to: Program Director, Community Resources

SCS offers an Excellent Benefits Package:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution
• Flexible spending account and transit checks
• Employee Assistance Program
• 20 paid vacation days and 12 paid sick days per year
• 12 paid holidays
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability

All positions at Sunnyside Community Services are filled without regard to race/color, religion/creed, national origin, age, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, pregnancy-related condition or lactation, military/veteran status, marital status, familial status, caregiver status, sexual or reproductive health decisions, height, weight, status as a victim of domestic violence/stalking/ sex offenses, predisposing genetic characteristic, immigration or citizenship status, prior arrest or conviction record, credit history, salary history, unemployment status, pre-employment marijuana testing, union affiliation/activity, or for reporting or opposing discrimination on these bases or for reporting or opposing violations of workplace health and safety, pay equity or practices, or for participating in any internal or any legally protected status listed in the New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL).All are encouraged to apply.

Sunnyside Community Services strives to address, explore,and educate all our stakeholders about the diversity of human experience and to advance and integrate racial equity and social justice into all organizational policies and programs. We believe that everyone, regardless of who they are or what they do for the organization, should feel equally involved and supported.

Sunnyside Community Services represents a commitment to considering the whole person and how systemic barriers and access to opportunities can affect their well-being.