Housing Specialist (Shelter) - Jamaica

Job Description

Job Description

Qualifications

• Connect residents to health and mental health services, childcare and parental support services, financial assistance, and other community-based services to meet daily living needs and long-term housing stability
• Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree in social services such as social work, human services, sociology, psychology, or human relations
• Two years’ experience in case management, housing services, counseling, or direct advocacy for clients in social service settings
• Experience with immigrants and immigration issues prioritized
• Minimum of 5 years of case management experience in the past 7 years may be substituted for educational requirement
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency in English required, multi-lingual and Spanish proficiency prioritized
• Computer skills: Basic competency in MS Word, Excel, Outlook and the internet
• Math Skills: Ability to formulate simple financial budgets
• Physical Performance: Ability to make unit visits (walk distances, climb stairs, etc.)
• Reasoning Ability: Ability to prioritize, make appropriate decisions and judgment calls
• Experience working with homeless individuals and people living with health and/or mental health issues and substance use
• Ability to engage residents
• Experience with housing plans and/or service plan development and implementation
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Must be highly organized, be willing to assume responsibility, work well under pressure, meet deadlines, multi-task, detail-oriented, and be flexible

Responsibilities

• The Housing Case Manager develops housing and service plans with residents to secure and sustain permanent housing through focused service plans that build housing search and independent living skills, resources, and support networks, and provide direct assistance to secure housing including searching for and sharing housing leads
• The Housing Case Manager plays a critical role in managing resident behaviors, enforcing program rules and protocols, and promoting a safe and supportive environment
• These duties are essential and specific to the successful implementation of this position
• Develop Independent Living Plans (ILPs) with permanent housing goals and objectives that are customized to residents, their income levels and sources, assets and resources, support systems
• Create and monitor housing log schedules, provide housing leads, and advocate on behalf of residents with landlords and brokers
• Ensure residents pursue housing leads
• Assist residents in searching and applying for housing, including assistance with completing and submitting housing applications and rental subsidy programs, including DHS housing packets
• Assist with and prepare residents for housing interviews and lease signings
• Escort residents to housing interviews and apartment inspections
• Enroll residents in DHS CARES
• Complete and submit HHAs on behalf of residents
• Assistant residents to register in the NYC Housing Lottery system
• Connect residents to employment opportunities and workshops and trainings for employment skills, independent living skills, budgeting and money management, health and nutrition, hygiene and housekeeping, and other areas to foster independence and self-sufficiency
• Coordinate with Mayor’s Office of Immigration Affairs and other immigration services and advocacy organizations and enroll residents in immigration services and programs
• CASE MANAGEMENT
• Provide counseling, crisis intervention, case management and service referrals
• Meet with residents in assigned caseload at least once a week to assess progress with housing and service plans
• Modify plans as needed
• Assist residents to enroll in and maintain enrollment in public benefits programs
• Coordinate with Dept of Education to ensure school-age children are enrolled in school, receive transportation services as needed, and are engaged in ESL/ELL and IEP curriculum as needed
• Conduct weekly room inspections to ensure healthy hygiene and housekeeping
• Manage and mitigate resident behaviors that compromise the health and safety of residents
• Document interactions and communications with and on behalf of residents and upload into CARES
• Document incidents and witness statements
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor and Program Director