Economic Empowerment Specialist - Supportive Housing

Urban Resource Institute; New York (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Urban Resource Institute (URI) seeks an Economic Empowerment Specialist to support residents in achieving financial stability and independent living. You will provide individualized coaching, employment readiness services, and benefits navigation within a trauma-informed, survivor-centered framework.

The role collaborates with Case Managers and Housing Specialists to integrate economic goals into service plans, ensuring ESSHI and OTDA standards are met.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work, human services, business, education, or related field.
• Certifications in financial coaching, workforce development, or career counseling preferred but not required.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in employment services, financial coaching, economic empowerment, or related fields.
• Knowledge of workforce development systems and public benefits for survivors of domestic violence.
• Strong facilitation, group training, organizational, communication, and documentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct employment and vocational assessments to identify strengths, barriers, and career goals.
• Provide resume development, interview prep, and job search strategy coaching.
• Facilitate employment-focused workshops and skill-building groups.
• Support residents in accessing workforce programs (SBS, HRA, DYCD, CUNY, WIOA, etc.).
• Build and maintain relationships with employers and training programs to create employment pipelines.

Skills

Facilitation

Communication

Organizational

Documentation

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work or related field

Certifications in financial coaching or career counseling preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Data management systems

Job description

Economic Empowerment Specialist - Supportive Housing

Job Category : Support

Requisition Number : ECONO004966

• Posted : September 16, 2026
• Full-Time

Locations

Showing 1 location

New York, NY
New York, NY, USA

Description

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

Founded in 1980, Urban Resource Institute (URI) is the nation’s largest provider of domestic violence shelter and support services and a leading provider of housing and services for families experiencing homelessness. Across 24 shelters in New York City, URI provides safe housing fornearly 4,000individuals and their pets every night and serves more than40,000 peopleannually.

URI’s work is grounded in survivor-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive care. In addition to emergency and transitional housing, URI delivers a robust continuum of Justice Initiatives—including economic empowerment, legal education and advocacy, prevention and youth programming, and abusive partner intervention—designed to break cycles of violence, instability, and poverty. URI also develops permanent affordable and supportive housing, advancing long-term pathways to safety, healing, and stability for families and communities.

Innovative Urban Village, opening in Summer 2026, is Urban Resource Institute’s first Supportive Housing program in partnership with Christian Cultural Center and is a comprehensive redevelopment projectlocatedin East New York, Brooklyn. Phase 1A includes 376 income-based rental residences, of which 94 units are dedicated to families who have experienced homelessnessas a result ofdomestic violence and who qualify for Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI) services. The program provides permanent supportive housing and trauma-informed, culturally competent services designed to promote long-term housing stability and independent living. As URI’s first Supportive Housing program, Innovative Urban Villagerepresentsa foundational expansion of the agency’s housing continuum, requiring the development of a comprehensive program model, policies, procedures, and service framework frominceptionthrough full implementation.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Economic Empowerment Specialist supports residents in achieving long term financial stability, increased income, and economic independence. The Specialist provides individualized coaching, employment readiness services, financial literacy education, andbenefitsnavigation to help residents build sustainable pathways towardself-sufficiency.

This role requires strong knowledge of workforce development systems, financial coaching principles, and the unique economic challenges faced by familiesimpactedby domestic violence.The Specialist collaborates closely with Case Managers, Housing Specialists, and the Director of Clinical Services to ensure integrated, high quality service delivery aligned withESSHIandOTDAstandards.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct employment and vocational assessments toidentifystrengths, barriers, and career goals.
• Provide individualized job readiness coaching, including resume development, interview preparation, and job search strategies.
• Facilitateemploymentfocusedworkshops andskillbuildinggroups.
• Support residents in accessing workforce programs (SBS,HRA,DYCD, CUNY, WIOA programs, etc.).
• Build andmaintain relationships with employers, training programs, and workforce partners to create employment pipelines.

Financial Literacy & Economic Stability

• Conduct financial assessments and develop individualized financial plans.
• Provide coaching on budgeting, banking, credit building, debt reduction, andlongtermfinancial planning.
• Facilitate financial literacy workshops and group sessions.
• Support residents in accessing financial resources such as tax credits, banking services, and credit repair programs.
• Assistresidents in navigating public benefits including SNAP, Medicaid, childcare subsidies, and cashassistance.

Housing Stability & Income Support

• Collaborate with Case Managers and Housing Specialists to ensure income stability supports housing retention.
• Assistresidents with income documentationrequiredfor recertifications, subsidies, and rent calculations.
• Identifyearly signs of income instability and intervene to prevent arrears or tenancy risk.
• Support residents in developinglongtermeconomic plans that align with housing stability goals.

ESSHI,OTDA& Supportive Housing Compliance

• Ensure all services align withESSHIservice categories related to employment, education, andbenefitsaccess.
• Maintainaccurateandtimelydocumentation in CAPS, HMIS, and other required data systems.
• Track employment outcomes, income changes, and financial milestones for reporting and quality assurance.
• Participate in audits, case reviews, and program evaluations.

Resource Navigation & Community Linkages

• Connect residents tocommunitybasedservices including vocational training, GED/HSE programs, ESL classes, childcare, and legal services.
• Provide warm handoffs andfollowupto ensure continuity of care.
• Maintain updated knowledge of workforce trends, training opportunities, and financial resources.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Participate in interdisciplinary case conferences and service coordination meetings.
• Collaborate with Case Managers to integrate economic goals into service plans.
• Work closely with the Housing Specialist to supportincomerelatedtenancy needs.
• Communicate regularly with the Director of Clinical Servicesregarding residents with complex needs.

Training & Professional Development

• Participate in ongoing training ontrauma informedcare, DV best practices, financial coaching, and supportive housing standards.
• Engage in reflective supervision and contribute to a culture of learning and accountability.

SPECIFICATIONS FOR EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSES

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, business, education, or related fieldrequired.
• Certifications in financial coaching, workforce development, or career counseling preferred but notrequired.

REQUIREDSKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of2years of experience in employment services, financial coaching, economic empowerment, or related fields.
• Knowledge of workforce development systems, financial literacy principles, and public benefits.
• Experience working with survivors of domestic violence and families with complex needs.
• Strong facilitation skills for groups and workshops.
• Ability to support residents with varying levels of education, employment history, and financial literacy.
• Strong organizational, communication, and documentation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-pacedenvironment.
• Proficiencyin Microsoft Office and data management systems.

SPECIFICATIONS FOR PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Will berequiredto read printed and handwritten materials.
• Will berequiredtousecomputer mouse and keyboard.
• Will berequiredto read information on computer screen.
• Must be able to sit for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to enter information in digital forms and spreadsheets.
• Must be able to lift 10 pounds at times, occasionally reach and bend.
• May require occasional work outside established working hours, including evenings and weekends.

Urban Resource Institute provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.