The Housing Emergency Referral Operations Division (HERO) is the sole 24/7 DHS organizational unit that identifies and secures shelter for families and single adults who apply for emergency housing assistance. HERO is composed of seven sections: Placement, Vacancy Control for Families with Children and Single Adults, Data & Systems, Strategic Initiatives and Transfers, Care Day Certification and Portfolio Management and the Serious Incident Unit.

The selected candidates will report directly to the HERO shift supervisors. They will be performing community functions and be responsible for matching families at Intake sites for conditional and overnight placements to available shelter units using a combination of CARES automated reports and email/verbal communications with shelter liaisons and Intake staff in line with HERO placement protocol. They also will be responsible for updating CARES and for processing exits, updating family compositions, reconcile facilities units in CARES, update unit status, various transfer and vacancy control tasks to ensure the accuracy of lodging and vacancies. Review the vacancy control sheets and reports for available vacancies.

The Department of Homeless Services (DHS) is recruiting for twenty-six (26) Community Associates to function as Outreach Specialists, who will:

- Connect with two or more agencies by obtaining and conveying information and providing feedback in order to facilitate cooperation; coordinate activities; maintain current records.

- Conduct assessment of each family’s needs to match them appropriately to shelter vacancies within the DHS portfolio.

- Coordinate referrals, arrivals and transportation for conditional families and/or eligible families for temporary housing throughout the five boroughs.

- Prepare standardized summary reports, vacancy forms, records, enter codes and information obtained from Intake Centers and facilities to ensure that records are complete and accurate.

- Analyze and solve problems that arise from placements, transfers and room vacancies.

- Complete Placement Verification Sheets (PVC) accurately and according to protocol.

- Work in shifts to ensure 24-7 coverage. This position will require mandated occasional holdover.

- Ensure that all families who are processed through the Intake Centers each day are given a placement.


Work Location: 33 Beaver Street

Hours/Schedule:
1. 8AM X 4PM – SUNDAY – THURSDAY (RDOs: FRIDAY & SATURDAY)
2. 4PM X 12AM - SUNDAY – THURSDAY (RDOs: FRIDAY & SATURDAY)
3. 8AM X 4PM - TUESDAY – SATURDAY (RDOs: SUNDAY & MONDAY)
4. 4PM X 12AM - TUESDAY – SATURDAY (RDOs: SUNDAY & MONDAY
5. 9PM x 5AM – TUESDAY – SATURDAY (RDOs: SUNDAY & MONDAY)
6. 9AM X 5PM – MONDAY – FRIDAY (RDOs: SATURDAY & SUNDAY)
7. 4PM X 12AM- FRIDAY – THURSDAY (RDOs: WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY)

Qualification Requirements
1. High school graduation or equivalent and three years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to duties described above; or
2. Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" above.

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

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.