Rent Collection Specialist

Services For The Underserved, Inc.•New York, NY

7d•$28 - $31•Onsite

About The Position

The Rent Collection Specialist works within S:US Support Services and reports to the Entitlements Director. The role ensures tenants obtain and maintain benefits for which they are eligible and serves as a primary point of contact for S:US tenants experiencing rent arrears or seeking information about city assistance and entitlement resources, including HRA-Public Assistance (HRA-PA). The successful candidate is adaptable and organized, able to work in a fast-paced, high-intensity environment, and capable of managing competing priorities. The specialist reviews tenant accounts and aging reports across a large portfolio, coordinates rent collection activity with Legal, Finance, and program staff, contacts residents about outstanding balances, and works to resolve billing issues. The role also assesses eligibility for HRA-PA and assists or accompanies tenants in accessing public assistance, rental assistance, and other city resources. The specialist investigates HRA-PA cases, represents tenants and the agency at administrative hearings, processes appeals, and pursues legal channels to obtain funding when benefits have been denied. The position maintains current tenant entitlement records and the Entitlements module in the myEvolv EHR database, follows up on agency correspondence, prepares reports and progress updates, and keeps files audit-ready. The specialist shares current information about public policy, assistance programs, and entitlement-system changes with tenants and S:US housing program and management staff; attends trainings and seminars; and provides guidance and training on financial literacy, payment plans, applications, laws, and benefit regulations. Travel to organizational and program sites within the five boroughs is required. Other duties may be assigned.

Requirements

Ability to write and communicate effectively.
Experience with or knowledge of HRA-Public Assistance benefits, such as Rent Arrear One-Shot Deals.
Proficiency with the ACCESS HRA client and provider portals.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel and Word, and other database systems.
Ability to multitask.

Responsibilities

Review tenant accounts and aging reports across a large portfolio of programs to assess past-due balances and determine action plans.
Coordinate the collection process with Legal, Finance, and program staff.
Contact residents and tenants about outstanding and past-due balances, working to prevent future payment delays.
Resolve billing issues with residents and coordinate with Finance to correct rental errors.
Assess tenant eligibility for HRA-Public Assistance benefits.
Assist or accompany S:US tenants in accessing HRA-Public Assistance, rental assistance, and other city resources to resolve rent arrears.
Stay informed about public policy, public assistance, rental assistance, and other rent-arrears resources, and communicate updates to housing program staff, management, and tenants.
Attend informational trainings and seminars to remain current on trends and changes in the entitlements system.
Provide guidance on financial literacy, payment plans, public assistance, entitlement applications, and rent-arrears solutions.
Work with Programs and Finance on potential tenant entitlement issues.
Maintain up-to-date tenant entitlement records and the Entitlements module in the myEvolv database.
Travel to sites within the five boroughs, including offices and program sites.
Investigate HRA-PA cases and ensure their resolution.
Represent tenants and the agency at administrative hearings regarding HRA-PA cases.
Help tenants create and navigate the ACCESS HRA app and use its client and provider portals.
Process appeals and pursue legal channels to obtain funding for tenants denied entitlements.
Review and timely follow up on tenant correspondence about public assistance eligibility received by phone, office visit, email, mail, or fax.
Prepare reports for internal stakeholders on tenancy and related portfolio issues, and provide updates on tenant progress resolving rent arrears.
Maintain meticulous records and file systems to an audit-ready standard.
Train individuals and staff on regulations and laws pertaining to benefits.
Perform other duties as assigned.