YOU MUST BE PERMANENT IN THE JOB OPPORTUNITY SPECIALIST TITLE FOR AT LEAST ONE YEAR. IF 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.

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.
HPA/ Rental Assistance Unit / Legal Services (RAU) is recruiting for two (2) Associate Benefits Opportunity Specialists II to function as Rental Assistant Case Consultants, who will:

Review requests for rent arrears and other housing related emergencies, exception to policy received from Family Independence Administration’s (FIA) Benefits Access Centers (BAC).

Review and assess requests for exception to policy received from BACs, Legal Aid, Legal Services and Community Based Organizations (CBO).

Review the legal provider’s submission and authorize payments for requests for assistance with rent arrears and other emergency housing related grants (e.g. Section 8, NYCHA, HPD, mortgage arrears, CityFHEPS).

Process requests for authorization of payment of rent arrears to prevent participant’s eviction;
suggest alternatives to maintain housing for public and non-public assistance individuals and
families.

Intervene in emergency cases to prevent eviction; maintain chronological logs of activities in
order to record case disposition in Rental Assistance Database (RAD)

Various schedules (9am-5pm, 10am-6pm)

109 East 16th Street, New York

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.

Working knowledge of Welfare Management System (WMS), Paperless Office System (POS), and good written communication skills.

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

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 not required for this position

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.