Emergency Housing Specialist

Description
Housing Works requires employees working in our Health Services division to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless approved for a legal accommodation. If you need an accommodation for any reason, including related to this job requirement, please contact Human Resources.
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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.
Benefits:
We have three comprehensive healthcare plans to choose from based on your priorities and budget. Housing Works covers most of the plan; you pay a portion, based on your salary. Staff begins accruing PTO immediately for a total of up to 30 days earned in the first year. We offer employees an educational benefit. This money is available for tuition loan reimbursement, tuition costs, and text books.
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
Compensation Range: $22/hr - $28/hr commensurate with experience
Overview:
In collaboration between Housing Works Inc. and the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ), the Emergency Hotel Program will provide individuals involved in the criminal legal system experiencing housing insecurity, or chronic homelessness, with Emergency Housing placement and reentry support services. This housing program operates utilizing hotels across NYC boroughs and offers medical, behavior health, reentry support services, connection to additional health and wellness services and housing placement assistance to residents enrolled to promote positive reintegration to the five borough communities, reduce recidivism and build stronger, safer communities. Reporting to the Housing Specialist Supervisor, the Housing Specialist will be primarily responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with real estate brokers, private landlords and management companies, screening and assessing clients assigned to caseload for housing needs and eligibility for subsidized housing, coordinating with the case management team to ensure clients obtain all necessary documents and assessments for housing placements, accompanying clients to housing interviews and apartment inspections, and overall responsible for assisting clients with placement in more permanent housing as defined by the contract deliverables.
Responsibilities:

• Develops and maintains relationships with NYC housing programs, real estate brokers, private landlords and management companies.
• Accompanies clients to supportive housing interviews, housing viewings, independent housing viewings, and lease/program agreement signings.
• Collaborates with the Case Management Team to ensure clients have all necessary documentation, assessments, etc. needed for subsidized housing vouchers or supportive/independent living program admission.
• Completes data entry requirements of the position as outlined in the contract and program workflows.
• Conducts 1:1 sessions with clients assigned to caseload in accordance with the program workflow and contract deliverables.
• Actively participates in interdisciplinary case conference meetings, program meetings and agency-related meetings.
• Actively participates in supervision.
• Assists clients with all other housing related needs.
• Promotes Housing Works' core values in day to day activities.
• Performs other tasks as assigned by supervisor
• Provide culturally competent services in accordance to Housing Works policies and practices.
• Participates in trainings, or other professional development activities, to enhance skills.
• Engages in advocacy efforts in accordance to agency requirements.
• Ability to work with clients with diverse clients with varying levels of service needs.
• Works collaboratively with other team members across the agency.

• Attend and participate staff meetings and trainings as scheduled.
• Responsiveness to emails, texts and phone calls.
• Ability to adapt and successfully uphold job functions in a full remote workforce or hybrid in-person remote workforce environment.

• Bachelor's Degree required in social services, psychology, social work or other related field.

• Minimum 1 year experience providing housing placement assistance services.
• Prefer experience working with individuals involved in the criminal legal system, as well as substance use and mental health issues.
• Prior experience working in a congregate housing setting.
• Strong written documentation and communication skills
• Good problem-solving skills and ability to work autonomously
• Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, required
• Experience utilizing EMR systems.

• Preferably bi-lingual in Spanish.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent or proficient technical skills to perform tasks related to Microsoft Office, email and case management systems.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with the team.
• Dependability and reliability to arrive and depart timely for scheduled shift.
• Ability to frequently travel within the boroughs via public transportation.