Housing Specialist (Baxter)

Goddard Riverside Community Center; Elmhurst (NY); On-site; USD 45,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

The Baxter Safe Haven, operated by Goddard Riverside Community Center, in New York, seeks a Housing Specialist to secure stable, permanent housing for clients. Schedule is Monday–Friday, 9:00am–5:00pm, with salary range $45,233.87–$50,259.86, based on experience and qualifications.

The role requires strong collaboration with an interdisciplinary team and crisis-response skills. Responsibilities include eligibility assessments, client goal setting, housing applications, workshops, and

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Proficiency in Spanish and English preferred.

Responsibilities

• Work as part of an interdisciplinary team to promote wellness and help clients obtain stable, permanent housing.
• Conduct housing eligibility assessments for all clients.
• Meet with clients to establish goals, monitor and assess progress.
• Complete housing application packages (2010Es, voucher applications, and Housing Connect).
• Prepare and coach clients to complete housing interviews.
• Develop and facilitate client workshops and individual sessions on skills and information necessary to acquire and maintain independent permanent housing.
• Work with clients to break down barriers they have to meet their goals.
• Respond quickly and appropriately in crisis situations.
• Track placements and conduct follow up on clients placed into permanent housing.
• Develop and maintain appropriate records and documentation of services to clients.
• Participate in weekly staff meetings, case conferences, training programs and supervision meetings.
• Maintain an active listing of housing opportunities.
• Negotiate with landlords and other service providers to ensure stable housing.
• Accompany clients to housing related appointments such as apartment viewings, housing interviews, and apartment inspections as needed.
• Connect with outside housing providers/resources (landlords, brokers, DHS, HPD, HASA, and other housing providers).
• Other duties as required to ensure the overall operation of the program.

Job description

Intro/Program Description: The Baxter Safe Haven is a 74-bed Safe Haven which provides transitional housing to unsheltered single adults as part of Goddards continuum of homeless services and consistent with our philosophy of housing all New Yorkers. The Baxter offers medical, behavioral health and wellness services, entitlement assistance, substance use counseling and groups through our Harm Reduction Specialists, and assistance with securing permanent housing.

Purpose of Position: The Housing Specialist will serve as part of an interdisciplinary team working to secure stable, permanent housing for clients of the Baxter Safe Haven.

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm

Salary Range: $45,233.87-$50,259.86

Candidates must have the required qualifications to be considered for the position. The salary offer will be based on the candidates number of years experience in the exact or comparable position and additional preferred qualifications will be taken into account.

Qualifications

Roles, Responsibilities and Essential Duties

Client-Facing Work (~40%)

• Work as part of an interdisciplinary team to promote wellness and help clients obtain stable, permanent housing
• Conduct housing eligibility assessments for all clients
• Meet with clients to establish goals, monitor and assess progress
• Complete housing application packages (2010Es, voucher applications, and Housing Connect)
• Prepare and coach clients to complete housing interviews
• Develop and facilitate client workshops and individual sessions on skills and information necessary to acquire and maintain independent permanent housing
• Work with clients to break down barriers they have to meet their goals
• Respond quickly and appropriately in crisis situations

Administrative Duties (~40%)

• Track placements and conduct follow up on clients placed into permanent housing
• Develop and maintain appropriate records and documentation of services to clients
• Participate in weekly staff meetings, case conferences, training programs and supervision meetings
• Maintain an active listing of housing opportunities
• Negotiate with landlords and other service providers to ensure stable housing

Field Work (~20%)

• Accompany clients to housing related appointments such as apartment viewings, housing interviews, and apartment inspections as needed
• Connect with outside housing providers/resources (landlords, brokers, DHS, HPD, HASA, and other housing providers)
• Other duties as required to ensure the overall operation of the program

Qualifications/Educational Requirements

Required:

• High School Diploma or GED required

Preferred:

• Bachelors Degree
• Proficiency in Spanish and English
• Experience showcasing knowledge of completing housing applications
• Experience working with homeless adults
• Experience working with individuals diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness, substance use, and co-occurring disorders
• Prior experience in safe haven, outreach, or supportive housing

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Ability to maintain a calm, professional, and welcoming demeanor when working with a challenging population
• Understanding harm reduction model, motivational interviewing, trauma informed care, and other best practices
• Strong team player who collaborates effectively across departments to support overall program operations
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport and trust across diverse populations
• Strong organizational and systems-oriented approach, with keen attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to multitask and prioritize competing deadlines without sacrificing accuracy

Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual should be:

• Proficient in Microsoft Office, including Excel
• Comfortable with frequent computer use
• Able to respond to email communication quickly in a fast-paced environment
• Experience with, or ability to learn, computer databases such as CARES, AWARDS, and a Coordinated Assessment Placement System (CAPS)

Physical Requirements

• Frequent walking and standing
• Ability to lift up to 30 lbs

Work Environment

• Indoor office and residential environment
• Community visits with clients

We are committed to building an inclusive workplace community grounded in respect for differences. We support hiring a broadly diverse team of qualified individuals who will contribute to our organizations.

Goddard Riverside and Isaacs Center provide equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of duties and responsibilities that will be required of this position and title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be requested to perform job related task other than those specifically presented in this description. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.