APPLICANTS MUST BE PERMANENT IN THE JOB OPPORTUNITY SPECIALIST CIVIL SERVICE TITLE FOR AT LEAST ONE YEAR OR PERMANENT IN THE AJOS TITLE.
THIS IS A PROVISIONAL APPOINTMENT, WHEN A TEST BECOMES AVAILABLE IN THE ASSOCIATE JOB OPPORTUNITY SPECIALIST (AJOS) TITLE, YOU MUST TAKE AND PASS THE EXAM TO REMAIN IN THE AJOS TITLE.


Customized Assistance Services (CAS) helps Human Resources Administration (HRA) clients with health and/or mental health problems reach the highest attainable level of functioning and self-sufficiency by providing comprehensive, integrated, individualized clinical and support services. CAS works with other components of HRA and with other governmental and nongovernmental service providers to create new programs and to integrate and refine existing services so the people it serves can achieve their maximum functional capacity. CAS provides clinical expertise, recommendations, and direction to HRA in the fields of health, mental health, substance abuse and vocational rehabilitation.

Under the direction of the Assistant Deputy Commissioner, with wide latitude for the exercise of independent action and judgment, assists the Deputy Commissioner, ADC, Regional Manager and EUIP directors in the administration and functioning of these three CAS divisions within the Office of Homebound Outreach and Utility Intervention Services (HOUIS). These divisions ensure access to benefits and services in accordance with Federal, State, and local regulations and mandates for customers who are eligible for HVN/HB JC 90 services who have case applications or undercare cases registered in Job Centers throughout NYC. HVN/HB JC 90 clients notify their JOS worker of a health or mental health condition when applying for or receiving assistance. The CAS/HVN/HB Center 90 works to help with clients who requested or have approved HVN/HB status, to reach their maximum level of self-sufficiency and overcome any barriers.

Customized Assistance Services (CAS) is seeking to recruit one (1) ASSOCIATE BENEFIT OPPORTUNITY SPECIALIST III to function as the CAS REGIONAL/ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE LIAISON who will:

- Represent the Deputy Commissioner or Assistant Deputy Commissioner or Regional Manager at Homebound Outreach and Utility Intervention Services (HOUIS) Operations meetings, sharing the outcomes verbally and in written form; assist in the daily functions and operations of each unit (HVN/HB Center 90, HARU, EUIP), monitor the conduct and follow-up of application interviews to ensure that financially eligible individuals receive public assistance in a timely manner as mandated by legal regulatory requirements.

- Respond to inquiries from Legal Services, Council Members Advocates, and utility companies, obtain information and provide information on Welfare Reforms initiatives as they relate to the target population.

- Review and control written complaints from various sources including the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, and the Correspondence Complaint Unit; edit responses to complaints received from various Job Centers from applicants/participants regarding HVN/HB issues and availability.

- Monitor Fair Hearing compliance activities; prepares weekly updates of fair hearing compliance; follow up on outstanding cases; scans Welfare Management System (WMS) inquiries and Fair Hearing Information System (FHIS) for completion of Fair Hearing decisions; identifies errors and advise the Job Center where the case is assigned of corrective action.

- Make frequent and regular visits to the HOUIS sites, other Job Centers and Food Stamp offices to conduct studies every area of activity that affects the population in need of HVN/HB Center 90 services in order to determine whether the activities are conducted efficiently and effectively and in accordance with established policy and procedure; conducts audits designed to measure target areas; informs the FIA Regional Manager of case outcomes and outstanding issues and participates in the development of corrective action plans and follow-up studies to ensure that any problem has been corrected.

- Provide technical support to the HOUIS Managers in order to help improve performance and productivity in HVN/HB Center 90 and in FIA Job Centers relative to the HVN/HB population, with emphasis on Quality Control and Error Reduction; ensures that mandated re-determinations of financial eligibility are completed within the appropriate timeframes.

- Participate in the training of HOUIS staff in the proper interpretation and application of agency policies and procedures; maintains necessary controls and records to ensure that public assistance determinations are consistent with applicable laws, regulations, and policies.

Work Location: 109 East 16th Street NY NY 10003

Hours/Schedule: 9:00am-17:00pm (Flexible)

Qualification Requirements
1. 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:
a) client services.
b) employment planning/counseling services which involves job development,
skills assessment, and employment placement or other economic
opportunity programming.
2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college; plus eighteen months of full[1]time satisfactory experience working as a Benefits Opportunity Specialist; or
3. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college; plus eighteen months of full[1]time satisfactory experience as described in one (1) above.
4. 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-time
satisfactory experience working as a Benefits Opportunity Specialist or performing
social/human services work as described in one (1) above

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.