Housing Specialist (Monument)

Organization Overview: The Goddard Riverside Community Center (Goddard Riverside) and the Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center (Isaacs Center) are well-established Manhattan community-based agencies that support services to approximately 30,000 New Yorkers. We are two of New York City's leading human services organizations meeting the needs of children, youth and families, homeless individuals, and older adults throughout Manhattan and New York City. Every day we work for a fair and just society where all people have the opportunity to make choices that lead to better lives for themselves and their families. The Isaacs Center focuses primarily on the needs of children and low-income families, out-of-school and out-of-work youth, and aging New Yorkers. We operate at community centers located in the neighborhoods of East Harlem and Yorkville, and seek to deliver programs that are impactful, innovative, and intergenerational.

Program Description: Goddard Riverside invests in people & strengthens community, serving more than 20,000 people throughout New York City with a variety of programs for all ages. We work within a social justice framework to create a fair and just society where all people have the opportunity to make choices that lead to better lives for themselves and their families.

The Monument provides transitional housing to single adults experiencing homelessness with the goal of permanent housing. On-site services include case management, entitlement assistance, meals, recreation, and 24 hours/7 days a week front desk security and staffing.

Position Summary: Serve as part of the interdisciplinary team working to secure permanent housing for residents of The Monument.

Schedule: Tuesday-Saturday 11am-7pm, Monday-Friday 9am-5pm

Salary Range: $43,000 - $50,000

Candidates must have the required qualifications to be considered for the position. The salary offer will be based on the candidate's number of years experience in the exact or comparable position and additional preferred qualifications will be taken into account.

Roles, Responsibilities and Essential Duties

• Conduct housing eligibility assessments of all clients.
• Complete housing application packages.
• Coach clients going on housing interviews.
• Develop linkages with supportive housing programs, NYCHA, real estate companies, low-income affordable housing landlords etc.
• Maintain and update listings of permanent affordable housing.
• Develop and facilitate client workshops and individual sessions on skills and information necessary to acquire and maintain independent permanent housing.
• Track placements and conduct follow-up of clients placed into permanent housing.
• Assist clients in achieving self-sufficiency through assistance with housing and income.
• Meet with clients to establish goals, action steps towards those goals, monitor and assess progress.
• Develop and maintain appropriate records and documentation of services to the clients.
• Advocate with clients when they have barriers to overcome in meeting their goals.
• Negotiate with landlords and other service providers to ensure stable housing
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with a diverse population with a wide array of needs and backgrounds.
• Respond quickly and appropriately in crisis situations.
• Attend staff meetings and actively participate in supervision
• Ability to work flexible schedule if needed

Qualifications/Educational Requirements

• Associate degree Required, bachelor's degree Preferred
• Experience working with homeless adults preferred
• Experience working with individuals diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness, substance use and/co-occurring disorders preferred
• Prior transitional, outreach, or supportive housing experience preferred
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Strong Interpersonal and communication skills
• Organized with strong follow up and attention to detail
• Team player

Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual should be:

• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Outlook, Word and Excel
• Ability to learn computer databases such as CARES/HOME/CURRENT
• Able to learn Coordinated Assessment Placement System

Physical Requirements

• Escort clients on interviews in community as needed
• Ability to lift 30lbs

Work Environment

• Indoor office environment
• Some escorts in community
• Some visits to clients in dorms

We are committed to building an inclusive workplace community grounded in respect for differences. We support hiring a broadly diverse team of qualified individuals who will contribute to our organizations.

Goddard Riverside and Isaacs Center provide equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of duties and responsibilities that will be required of this position and title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be requested to perform job related task other than those specifically presented in this description. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.