FHEPS UNIT SUPERVISOR

HRA/DEPT OF SOCIAL SERVICES; New York (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

HRA/DEPT OF SOCIAL SERVICES seeks an Associate Benefits Opportunity Specialist I to supervise the FHEPS Centralized Determination Unit and oversee eligibility determinations for housing subsidies.

The role requires strong coordination with BACs, experience with multiple NYCHA/HRA databases, and attention to timely case actions to prevent eviction and secure housing for clients.

Qualifications

• Four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent plus related experience in social/human services.
• Bachelor’s degree plus 18 months of relevant experience as Benefits Opportunity Specialist or equivalent.
• 60 semester credits may substitute for some work experience as described.

Responsibilities

• Supervise FCDU staff responsible for reviewing and assessing FHEPS subsidy applications.
• Approve processing of FHEPS applications and related rent arrears or new apartment expenses.
• Coordinate with BACs to ensure actions that enable or unblock FHEPS approvals are completed.
• Monitor work assignments to ensure timely service delivery and prevent evictions.
• Prepare, distribute, and maintain a control system for staff work assignments.
• Manage time and leave for subordinate staff.
• Be proficient with POS, HRA One Viewer, Welfare Management System, NYCWAY and Cash Assistance budgeting.

Education

Four-year high school diploma or educational equivalent

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college

60 semester credits substitution for experience

Job description

YOU MUST BE PERMANENT IN THE BENEFITS OPPORTUNITY SPECIALIST (BOS) TITLE FOR AT LEAST ONE YEAR OR PERMANENT IN THE ASSOCIATE BENEFITS OPPORTUNITY SPECIALIST (ABOS) TITLE OR IF HIRED PROVISIONALLY, YOU MUST TAKE AND PASS EXAM WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE IN THE ASSOCIATE BENEFITS OPPORTUNITY SPECIALIST (ABOS) TITLE, YOU MUST TAKE AND PASS THE EXAM TO REMAIN IN THE ABOS 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. The Family Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement (FHEPS) housing subsidy program assists families with children, and survivors of domestic violence at risk of entering or remaining in the shelter system, to maintain and/or secure permanent housing by issuing them a rental supplement in addition to their Cash Assistance (CA) shelter allowance. FHEPS Centralized Determination Unit (FDCU) will perform eligibility determinations for all FHEPS applications referred by contracted or Legal Aid/Services, HRA’s Benefits Access Center (BAC), Department of Homeless Services (FHEPS moves from shelter), HRA’s Office of Domestic Violence Services (FHEPS moves from shelter) and finally Homebase for moves/transfers in the community. The Homelessness Prevention Administration (HPA)/FHEPS Centralized Determination Unit (FCDU) is recruiting for one (1) Associate Benefits Opportunity Specialist I, to function as a FHEPS Supervisor, who will:

• Supervise FCDU staff that is responsible for the review and assessment of applications for the FHEPS housing subsidy, including in some cases payment of rent arrears and/or new apartment expenses, sent to FCDU by assigned community-based organizations (CBOs).
• Supervise and approve the processing of FHEPS applications including the authorization of payment of clients’ rent arrears and/or new apartment expenses in a timely manner.
• Liaise with Benefits Access Centers (BACs) to ensure case actions are barriers or prevent the unit from approving FHEPS application are completed.
• Monitor the progress of work assignments to ensure timely delivery of services to client to prevent their eviction.
• Prepare, distribute, and maintain a control system for subordinate staff work assignments.
• Responsible for time and leave for subordinate staff.
• Possess a strong understanding of various databases, including the Paperless Office System (POS), HRA One Viewer, Welfare Management System (WMS), NYCWAY, and Cash Assistance eligibility to include budgeting.

Hours/Shift: 10am-6pm

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[1]time satisfactory experience working as a Benefits Opportunity Specialist; or 3. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college; plus eighteen months of full[1]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.