RESOURCE SPECIALIST

City of New York • New York, NY

23h • $62,868 - $72,298

About The Position

The New York City Department of Homeless Services (DHS) is recruiting six Community Coordinators to work as Resource Specialists in the Division of Shelter Intake. The Division oversees day-to-day operations at intake and assessment sites serving single adults, adult families, and families with children, including sites operated directly by DHS and contracted providers. It ensures that people can access shelter 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round.

The Resource Specialist cultivates community relationships and identifies housing alternatives to shelter for clients and people experiencing homelessness. The position conducts outreach, interviews, recruitment, screening, field work, and applicant assessments; verifies application information and documents; connects people with community referrals and resources; and makes initial recommendations regarding housing alternatives. The specialist also assesses psychiatric and substance abuse history and works with a Behavioral Health Specialist as needed. Schedules vary.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college and two years of experience in community work or community-centered activities related to the duties; or high school graduation or equivalent and six years of related experience; or equivalent education and/or experience.
• All candidates must have at least one year of experience in community work or community-centered activities related to the duties.

Responsibilities

• Cultivate relationships across diverse communities to identify housing alternatives to shelter and share information about opportunities with staff and community partners.
• Conduct outreach, interviews, recruitment, and screening with primary tenants, landlords, building superintendents, neighbors, other city agencies, institutional settings, private entities, and other collateral sources to assess applicants' viability for community housing.
• Canvas communities and engage people experiencing homelessness to provide DHS shelter referrals and information about housing options and other community resources through mediation, referrals, meetings, and other methods.
• Gather applicant information, including housing history and income, and review and verify documents provided by applicants.
• Conduct screening interviews for single adult applicants and follow up with past housing resources to determine whether applicants can return to the community.
• Make initial recommendations about alternatives to shelter based on an overall assessment of each individual's situation.
• Conduct field work, including interviews and meetings with primary tenants, landlords, building superintendents, and neighbors.
• Conduct other necessary screenings of applicants who have housing options or other community resources available.
• Provide an initial assessment of applicants' psychiatric and substance abuse history and work with a Behavioral Health Specialist as needed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time