RAP UNIT SUPERVISOR

NYC Department of Social Services; New York (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

NYC Department of Social Services is seeking four Associate Benefits Opportunity Specialist I positions under the Housing Services Administration to supervise BOS staff and manage Rental Assistance Program subsidies. The team reviews eligibility for tenants and landlords, issues payments, and ensures timely subsidies across multiple systems.

Qualifications include a four-year diploma or equivalent and relevant social/human services experience, with potential for the 55-a Program.

Qualifications

• 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.
• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college; plus eighteen months of full-time satisfactory experience as described above; or
• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college; plus eighteen months of full-time satisfactory experience as described in one (1) above.
• 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 satisfactory experience as a Benefits Opportunity Specialist or related social/human services work.

Responsibilities

• Supervise Benefits Opportunity Specialists who verify eligibility for tenant or landlord for Rental Assistance Unit Subsidy Programs.
• Be responsible for issuing check requests for brokers and landlord payments for Rental Assistance Subsidy Programs.
• Approve lease signings with tenant and landlords for new residency and assist with resolutions via review conferences.
• Ensure timely Rental Assistance Unit Subsidy Program payments to landlords and brokers; oversee annual renewal of subsidies.
• Review tenant data entries for federal funds in multiple databases; utilize Housing Assistance Payment Systems and related tools.
• Address requests for information from landlords, tenants, and community advocates.

Skills

Client services

Employment planning

Counseling

Team supervision

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor's degree

60 semester credits substitution

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. THIS IS A PROVISIONAL APPOINTMENT, WHEN A TEST BECOMES AVAILABLE IN THE (ABOS) TITLE, YOU MUST TAKE AND PASS THE EXAM TO REMAIN IN THE ABOS TITLE.

The Human Resources Administration (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. As the largest local social services agency in the country, HRA helps more than three million New Yorkers annually through the administration of more than 15 major public assistance programs.

Housing Services Administration is a division of New York City’s Department of Social Services that oversees housing stability and rehousing efforts. HSA administers rental assistance, housing supply, and placement programs to help individuals and families exit shelter, prevent homelessness, and secure safe, affordable housing across the city.

Under direction of the Associate Benefits Opportunity Specialist II, the Associate Benefits Opportunity Specialist I (ABOS I) is responsible for supervising a team of BOS staff, who review eligibility for and recommends approval/renewal of CityFHEPS subsidies for program participants.

The Human Resources Administration (HRA) is recruiting for four (4) Associate Benefits Opportunity Specialist I's to function as Rental Assistance Program (RAP) Supervisors, who will:

• Supervise Benefits Opportunity Specialists who verify eligibility for tenant or landlord for Rental Assistance Unit Subsidy Programs.
• Be responsible for issuance of check requests for brokers and landlord payments for Rental Assistance Subsidy Programs.
• Approve lease signings with tenant and landlords for their new residency which involves providing keys and signed leases. Troubleshoot issues made by tenants, landlord, lawyer, advocate, legal aid via a review conference to achieve resolutions.
• Ensure that Rental Assistance Unit Subsidy Program payments to landlords and brokers go out in a timely manner and oversees the annual renewal of Rental Assistance Program subsidies.
• Review the data entries of tenant information for federal funds into federal databases; utilize other databases such as but not limited to Housing Assistance Payment Systems (HAPS), Rental Assistance Program (RAP), HRA One Viewer, WMS, NYCWAY, Finance.net, IQ System, SAVE.
• Recommend new subsidy certificates for tenants who wish to submit a transfer request via email for reasons such as issues with landlord, inhabitable apartments, etc.
• Address requests for information and services from Rental Assistance Program landlords, tenants, and community advocates.

Hours/Schedule

Monday- Friday 9am -5pm

Minimum Qualifications

• 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 client services, employment planning/counseling services which involves job development, skills assessment, and employment placement or other economic opportunity programming.
• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college; plus eighteen months of full-time satisfactory experience working as a Benefits Opportunity Specialist; or
• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college; plus eighteen months of full-time satisfactory experience as described in one (1) above.
• 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 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.