Housing Specialist (Lighthouse)

Childrens Rescue Fund; New York (NY); On-site; USD 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Children’s Rescue Fund in Long Island City, NY is seeking a Housing Specialist (Lighthouse) to manage client casework toward securing permanent housing. The role involves navigating NYCHA forms and housing programs, and coordinating with brokers and developers for incentives.

Qualifications include a bachelor’s or associate degree in a human services field, plus 1+ year in social services, with strong communication, interpersonal, and MS Office skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or an Associate’s degree in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Counseling, Criminal Justice, or Human Services is strongly preferred
• At least one (l) year of experience in social services, counseling, crisis intervention, family services, preventive services, or housing services is required
• Valid New York State driver’s license and an insurable driving record is required
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills and computer literacy in Microsoft Office

Responsibilities

• Must understand the NYC DHS Client Responsibility Procedures and explain them to clients at Housing Intake
• Ensure clients sign the Permanent Housing Agreement within 10 days of arrival
• Maintain communication with Director of Social Services and Case Managers to resolve issues preventing permanent housing
• Ensure housing applications are completed within 90 days of eligibility and forwarded on time
• Utilize CARES system for housing intake assessment, service plans, and progress notes
• Document and follow-up on housing appointments and permanent housing applications
• Meet and/or exceed Housing Placement Goals set by DHS

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Microsoft Office proficiency

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree in Social Work or related field

High School Diploma/GED

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Housing Specialist (Lighthouse)

Long Island City, NY, US

30+ days ago Requisition ID: 3175

Salary Range: $40,000.00 To $48,000.00 Annually

PRIMARY FUNCTION/PURPOSE:

The Housing Specialist is responsible for all facets of client case management as it relates to a client's efforts to secure permanent housing. The Housing Specialist will use HPD incentives for finders’ fees to brokers and owners, and develop contacts with both not-for-profit and for-profit housing developers. This role is responsible for ensuring that all clients are familiar with New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) forms and procedures, as well as the procedures for all other housing programs offered. This role is responsible for working at our Lighthouse location in Long Island City, NY to enable the successful relocation of families to permanent housing.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree or an Associate’s degree in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Counseling, Criminal Justice, or Human Services is strongly preferred, and at least a High School Diploma/GED is required
• At least one (l) year of experience in social services, counseling, crisis intervention, family services, preventive services, or housing services is required
• Valid New York State driver’s license and an insurable driving record is required
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills and must be computer literate in Microsoft Office

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Must fully understand the New York City Department of Homeless Services – Client Responsibility Procedures, and be able to explain it to clients during the Housing Intake
• Must ensure that all clients sign the “Permanent Housing Agreement” form within 10 days of their arrival
• Maintain open lines of communication with the Director of Social Services and Case Managers to resolve any issues that might prevent a client from securing permanent housing
• Ensure all clients are completing and returning the “Apartment Review” and/or the “Client Apartment Rejection Form”
• Inform all clients of their responsibility to “visit/view two (2)” apartments per week and support this with documentation
• Ensure all relevant housing applications are fully completed within 90 days of a family becoming eligible for shelter services, forwarded to their designated destinations on-time, and that a copy is maintained in the case record
• Utilize the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) - Client Assistance and Re-housing Enterprise System (CARES) to complete family intake assessment, service plan/independent living plan, housing, next step conferences/transfers, incident reports, progress notes, etc.
• Utilize the DHS Client Assistance and Re-housing Enterprise System (CARES) to review accessible information from the Human Resource Administration, Administration for Children Services, Department of Probation, Department of Homeless Services, etc.
• Utilize the DHS Client Assistance and Re-housing Enterprise System (CARES) to ensure that all information is updated in the system in a timely fashion as required by DHS
• Document and follow-up on all housing appointments and permanent housing applications
• Verify all housing rejections, including the reason for such rejection
• Accompany a family on housing searches when appropriate
• Provide on-going housing education to clients through workshops and/or individual counseling
• If applicable, provide clients with a list of suitable available apartments in a location consistent with a client's “Domestic Violence” status, and advise clients of their responsibility for seeking additional apartments on their own
• Meet and/or exceed the Housing Placement Goals set by the New York City Department of Homeless Services
• Review the DSS/APD Housing placements and projected placements weekly
• Complete reports as required

OTHER REQUIREMENTS (including Physical Demands):

• May be required to work long hours and a varied schedule
• Traveling throughout various locations in the New York City area
• Lifting and moving objects weighing up to 30 pounds several times a week
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

EEO Statement – Children’s Rescue Fund is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status.

#IND1

PRIMARY FUNCTION/PURPOSE:

The Housing Specialist is responsible for all facets of client case management as it relates to a client's efforts to secure permanent housing. The Housing Specialist will use HPD incentives for finders’ fees to brokers and owners, and develop contacts with both not-for-profit and for-profit housing developers. This role is responsible for ensuring that all clients are familiar with New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) forms and procedures, as well as the procedures for all other housing programs offered. This role is responsible for working at our Lighthouse location in Long Island City, NY to enable the successful relocation of families to permanent housing.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree or an Associate’s degree in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Counseling, Criminal Justice, or Human Services is strongly preferred, and at least a High School Diploma/GED is required
• At least one (l) year of experience in social services, counseling, crisis intervention, family services, preventive services, or housing services is required
• Valid New York State driver’s license and an insurable driving record is required
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills and must be computer literate in Microsoft Office

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Must fully understand the New York City Department of Homeless Services – Client Responsibility Procedures, and be able to explain it to clients during the Housing Intake
• Must ensure that all clients sign the “Permanent Housing Agreement” form within 10 days of their arrival
• Maintain open lines of communication with the Director of Social Services and Case Managers to resolve any issues that might prevent a client from securing permanent housing
• Ensure all clients are completing and returning the “Apartment Review” and/or the “Client Apartment Rejection Form”
• Inform all clients of their responsibility to “visit/view two (2)” apartments per week and support this with documentation
• Ensure all relevant housing applications are fully completed within 90 days of a family becoming eligible for shelter services, forwarded to their designated destinations on-time, and that a copy is maintained in the case record
• Utilize the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) - Client Assistance and Re-housing Enterprise System (CARES) to complete family intake assessment, service plan/independent living plan, housing, next step conferences/transfers, incident reports, progress notes, etc.
• Utilize the DHS Client Assistance and Re-housing Enterprise System (CARES) to review accessible information from the Human Resource Administration, Administration for Children Services, Department of Probation, Department of Homeless Services, etc.
• Utilize the DHS Client Assistance and Re-housing Enterprise System (CARES) to ensure that all information is updated in the system in a timely fashion as required by DHS
• Document and follow-up on all housing appointments and permanent housing applications
• Verify all housing rejections, including the reason for such rejection
• Accompany a family on housing searches when appropriate
• Provide on-going housing education to clients through workshops and/or individual counseling
• If applicable, provide clients with a list of suitable available apartments in a location consistent with a client's “Domestic Violence” status, and advise clients of their responsibility for seeking additional apartments on their own
• Meet and/or exceed the Housing Placement Goals set by the New York City Department of Homeless Services
• Review the DSS/APD Housing placements and projected placements weekly
• Complete reports as required

OTHER REQUIREMENTS (including Physical Demands):

• May be required to work long hours and a varied schedule
• Traveling throughout various locations in the New York City area
• Lifting and moving objects weighing up to 30 pounds several times a week
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

EEO Statement – Children’s Rescue Fund is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status.

#IND1

Tuesday to Saturday, 9 AM to 5 PM
Sunday to Monday, 9 AM to 5 PM: This shift schedule will contain one late day