IF YOU ARE HIRED PROVISIONALLY IN THIS TITLE,
YOU MUST TAKE AND PASS THE CIVIL SERVICE EXAM, WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE,
TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT

The Homelessness Prevention Administration (HPA) works to keep New Yorkers in their homes. HPA works with the Department of Homeless Services (DHS), the NYC Housing Authority (NYCHA) and many other organizations and City agencies to assist families and individuals in need in obtaining and maintaining stable, affordable housing. ORL organizational area is an integral part of the mayor’s initiative in preventing and addressing homelessness and housing stability in the City of New York; the Human Resources Administration is pooling it resources to lead in the City’s effort. Outreach, Rehousing and Landlord Management, is a Homelessness Prevention Administration (HPA) program whose program areas are comprised of Early Intervention Outreach Services (EIOS), comprised of the Early Intervention Outreach Team (EIOT) & Neighborhood Homelessness Prevention Outreach (NHPO), Rapid Rehousing Operations (RRH)/Housing Court, and the Landlord Management Unit / Electronic Fund Transfer (LMU/EFT). The mission of this pilot in support of the Mayoral goal of reducing and limiting homelessness in NYC, is to significantly increase HRA staff presence in housing court to ensure eligible clients get quick access to financial assistance that will allow them to stay in their homes and legal referrals to protect the housing rights of clients. The goal of this program is to facilitate, coordinate and expedite the completion of Access HRA application submission, referrals for emergency need grant requests, legal pre-screen referral and creating clear expectations for next steps within the process. ACCESS HRA is the Agency’s web and mobile platforms that are revolutionizing the way New Yorkers can receive and manage their benefits. HRA will provide direct assistance with applying for Cash Assistance including but not limited to, emergency rental assistance utilizing ACCESS HRA via PC Bank located on site at the housing court.
Under the executive direction of the Deputy Commissioner, with wide latitude for the exercise of independent decision and action, the Assistant Deputy Commissioner plans, develops and implements initiatives focusing on socio-economic issues such as homelessness and housing stability. The Assistant Deputy Commissioner also sets and instills a high standard of customer service and commitment to homelessness prevention throughout the unit staff.

HPA is recruiting for three (3) Benefits Opportunity Specialists to function as PC Bank Administrators, who will:

- Complete legal pre-screen and refer client to on-site legal services when determined necessary and eligible.
- Interview applicants and assess eligibility for immediate needs grants (food and non-food); for employability and eligibility for public assistance, SNAP and Medicaid; Manage all aspects of the case, including establishing on-going eligibility in POS, WMS/NYCWAY and other internal HRA systems.
- Interview and determine housing needs of tenants at risk of homelessness or already homeless reporting to the Housing Court. Develop anti-eviction/housing plans of intervention for referred participants in POS, WMS/NYCWAY and other internal HRA systems as necessary.
- Describe the various services provided by the Agency, as well as the rules and regulations governing the acceptance for the continuance of public assistance and other services; elicits answers and questions in general.
- Verify information impacting participants’/clients’ eligibility status, including, but not limited to making computer generated clearances in POS, WMS/NYCWAY and other internal HRA systems.
- Forward eligibility determination and budget calculations to supervisor for approval in POS, WMS/NYCWAY and other internal HRA systems.

Help Clients:
- Create ACCESS HRA Accounts
- Apply for SNAP or Cash Assistance
- Submit requests for assistance with an emergency or immediate need related to arrears.
- Make changes to their case, such as updating income or household size.
- Uploading, Scanning and or indexing documents HRA requires for their application.
- Conduct initial eligibility interview for client who are unable to navigate Access HRA independent.
- Download ACCESS HRA mobile application to:
- Check the status of their case or application.
- Update their contact information, such as email or mailing address.
- Check the status of their case or application.
- Receive important reminders and updates, among other features.
- Complete legal pre-screen and refer client to on-site legal services when determined necessary and eligible.
- Interview applicants and assess eligibility for immediate needs grants (food and non-food); for employability and eligibility for public assistance, SNAP, and Medicaid; Manage all aspects of the case, including establishing on-going eligibility in POS, WMS/NYCWAY and other internal HRA systems.
- Interview and determine housing needs of tenants at risk of homelessness or already homeless reporting to the Housing Court. Develop anti-eviction/housing plans of intervention for referred participants in POS, WMS/NYCWAY and other internal HRA systems as necessary.

- Describe the various services provided by the Agency, as well as the rules and regulations governing the acceptance for the continuance of public assistance and other services; elicits answers and questions in general.
- Verify information impacting participants’/clients’ eligibility status, including, but not limited to making computer generated clearances in POS, WMS/NYCWAY and other internal HRA systems.
- Forward eligibility determination and budget calculations to supervisor for approval in POS, WMS/NYCWAY and other internal HRA systems.

Hours: 9am-5pm

Work Location: 109 East 16th street, NY, NY 10003

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.