Housing Specialist, Park Slope Women's Shelter

CAMBA • New York, NY

23d • $47,000 - $50,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The person filling this position is expected, under general supervision, to: (1) immediately formulate a plan and prepare clients for permanent housing placement; (2) engage individuals requiring social service assistance; (3) interview and evaluate clients, formulate Independent Living Plans and goals; and (4) locate and refer to appropriate community resources for clients; including the following:

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree (e. g., B.A., B.S.W.) and two years of applicable experience and/or equivalent experience.
• May be required to become First Aid/CPR certified.
• May be required to become certified in overdose prevention.

Nice To Haves

• Bi-lingual preferred.

Responsibilities

• Maintain professional relationships with clients and client confidentiality.
• Practice Universal Precautions/Standard Protocol & Procedures.
• Comply with any and all Federal, State, City and CAMBA security and privacy polices intended to protect the security and privacy of individually identifiable health information.
• Serve as a liaison with outside organizations regarding such matters as education, healthcare, housing, social services, legal issues, etc.
• Assist clients in attaining their Housing related goals by identifying and referring clients to appropriate services both within and outside CAMBA.
• Conduct housing search efforts for each housing ready client referred (i.e., referrals to housing providers, contact landlords, search for apartment listings, etc.).
• Develop curriculum to address clients’ Housing and Independent Living related needs including, permanent housing search process and options.
• Develop and facilitate a series of Housing Workshops.
• Develop materials to be posted on a Bulletin Board that serves to provide relevant Housing related information.
• Provide individualized counseling on housing related topics.
• Organize and schedule presentations by supportive housing programs, local real estate experts and/or landlords.
• Provide housing related support, training and coordination with the other social services staff.
• Establish linkages with community-based organizations (i.e., supportive housing programs, DHS Housing Unit, etc.) and local landlords.
• Review all approved housing packages to determine appropriateness of housing providers.
• Escort clients to appointments (i.e., housing interviews, apartment move-ins, housing fairs, etc.)
• Ensure that quality housing placements are achieved via web-site checks (DOB, HPD) and all payments to landlord/utilities are up-to-date with apartment in move-in condition.
• Follow-up with clients for a period of time after move-out to assure client stability.
• Conduct initial intake and assessment of clients’ needs and periodic re-assessments.
• Create and maintain client electronic and paper files.
• Prepare initial psychosocial evaluation and update according to regulations.
• Obtain and maintain relevant documentation and release forms from clients (i.e., birth certificate, proof of income, medical documents, release of Personal Health Information, etc.).
• In collaboration with clients, conduct periodic revisions of independent living plans including short-term and long-term client goals.
• Assist clients in attaining their goals by identifying community resources and by referring clients to appropriate services both within and outside CAMBA (i.e., On-site medical services and psychiatric services, etc.).
• Work with clients to break through barriers to their goal(s) attainment.
• Assist clients in advocating for themselves in order to gain housing stability.
• Recommend and implement strategies to persuade clients to participate fully in the process in order to transition into permanent housing.
• Monitor clients' progress toward their goals via regularly scheduled face-to-face contacts/sessions.
• Document all client encounters via progress notes using DHS CARES Database and printout notes for client’s paper file.
• Ensure CARES Database is updated to reflect client request for services (i.e., car fare, appointments, passes, referrals, etc.).
• Follow-up with clients and with referral organizations regarding client contact and progress with referral organization.
• Provide all required information for weekly/monthly/quarterly/annual reports.
• May act as client liaison/client advocate with outside organizations regarding such matters as education, healthcare, housing, legal issues, etc.
• May schedule appointments for client with referral organizations.
• May assist clients in completing applications for benefits and entitlements, and may process applications on clients' behalf.
• May prepare marketing materials for the program.
• Tasks may be modified, expanded and/or assigned over a period of time.

Benefits

• CAMBA offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, dental insurance, 403(b) retirement plan with employer match, paid time off (vacation, personal, and sick time), and paid holidays.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees