Housing Specialist

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Housing Works was founded in 1990; With a long-term commitment to AIDS advocacy. Housing Works established New York State’s first harm reduction-based, OASAS-licensed outpatient drug treatment program. Other services include Health Home care management, behavioral health, and syringe exchange programs. A pioneer in the social entrepreneurship movement, Housing Works operates 10 high-end thrift shops in Manhattan and Brooklyn and a much-loved Bookstore Cafe in Soho. For more information, visit www.housingworks.org
Housing Works fights for funding and legislation to ensure that all people living with HIV/AIDS have access to quality housing, healthcare, HIV prevention, and treatment, among other lifesaving services.

Housing Works provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements. Housing Works complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. Housing Works also does not request prior salary information during the hiring process. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
This position is included in a bargaining unit of Housing Works’ New York City employees represented by a labor union known as the Retail Wholesale and Department Store Union (“RWDSU”). Accordingly, the RWDSU has the exclusive right to bargain over the terms and conditions of employment related to this position and this position may become covered by the terms of a collective bargaining agreement (a “CBA”) between Housing Works and the RWDSU

Responsibilities:

The Housing Specialist locates and secures quality affordable for program clients, and provides ongoing housing services for 12 months including HQS inspections, assessment and referral to health, behavioral health, and/or case management services.

Primary: Locates and secures quality affordable independent housing for program clients by viewing available market rate apartments throughout New York City. Develops and cultivates relationships with landlords, brokers, and property managers to secure apartments for clients. Corresponds with HASA personnel to expedite apartment approval and the issuing of ongoing rental subsidies. Creates client centered service plan based off initial assessment. Makes referrals and ensures linkages to care based on clients identified needs. Collects required data as per contract, including PCSMs.

Secondary: Performs semi-annual housing inspections using program template, semiannual reassessment, and service plan. Provides short term case management as needed.

• Carries out tasks related to achieving program deliverables such as completing client intakes, initial service plan, housing assessments (HQS) and apartment inspections and ensures monthly client engagement.
• Accompanies program clients to apartment viewings, independent housing viewings and lease signings.
• Develops and cultivates housing leads and resources with NYC program resources, real estate brokers, private landlords, and management companies.
• Attends and participates in regular supervision, program meetings, and agency and/or funder trainings.
• Provides case management and benefits/entitlements support and collaboration.
• Makes referrals to primary care, behavioral health, care management, and other services needed as per the service plan.
• Timely documentation: service documentation, required administrative documents, progress notes, and required uploads to ensure electronic chart follows funder and agency requirements.
• Participates in trainings/workshops to enhance professional and technical knowledge.
• Adhere to Housing Works’ guidelines as prescribed in the Employee Handbook and policies and procedures manual.

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED; bachelor's degree preferred, and at least two years of work experience as a Housing Specialist for a non-profit organization or similar program with a track record of success.
• Dependable & flexible time availability as well as possessing
• Excellent internal and external customer service skills and strong interpersonal skills.
• Good communication skills both verbally and written including the ability to communicate with all levels of management.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Willingness to work occasional overtime and offer flexibility regarding scheduling work time.

The following additional competencies are viewed as important to success in this position:

• Exceptional communication and organizational skills.
• Detail-oriented and accurate especially with numbers and data entry.
• Customer service experience.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Self-motivated and self-directed.
• Ability to assert oneself.
• Exemplary time management skills.
• Ability to work with staff in solving problems and ability to take direction and function as part of a team.
• Knowledge of HIV/AIDS Service Administration/HASA, Human Resources Administration/HRA, Eshare, Section 8, ERAP and CITYFHEPS and One-Shot Deal.
• Knowledgeable with NYC housing markets.

Essential Physical Demands/Working Conditions:

• Ability to lift 10lbs.
• Frequently required to operate office equipment and various technological devices.
• This is a hybrid work position, with a minimum of 80% office/field time required.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $50,000.00 - $55,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person