Homebase Consultant

YOU MUST BE PERMANENT IN THE ASSOCIATE BENEFITS OPPORTUNITY SPECIALIST 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.

Home Base is a homelessness prevention program, funded by the New York City Department of Homeless Services (DHS) and administered by Community‑Based Organizations (CBOs) in high‑need neighborhoods. The CBOs provide casework services and also help individuals and families locate existing community‑based resources such as job training, childcare, and anti‑eviction legal services.

• Review and assess requests made by Home Base providers for emergency housing assistance and review interviews conducted by Home Base providers and documentation supplied by applicants/participants to determine eligibility for emergency housing assistance in coordination with applications filed at the Home Base providers’ sites.
• Provide consultation services with respect to the prevention of evictions caused by non‑payment of rent; conduct interviews with heads of households to determine the need for emergency rental assistance and verify the information utilizing the Welfare Management System (WMS).
• Work closely with Home Base providers and tenants to facilitate, expedite, and negotiate a course of action to prevent evictions.
• Process requests for authorization of rent arrears payments to prevent eviction and maintain chronological logs of activities in order to record case disposition.
• Respond to inquiries made by Home Base providers regarding case status, HRA policy and general eligibility issues; act as a liaison between Home Base providers, Benefit Access Center staff and Homeless Diversion staff as needed.
• Ensure compliance with Agency, State and Federal rules and regulations related to eligibility determinations for emergency rental assistance.

Hours/Shift: Mon‑Fri 9 am‑5 pm

• 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 one of the following:
  • Client services.
  • Employment planning/counseling services which involves job development, skills assessment, and employment placement or other economic opportunity programming.
• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college; plus at least eighteen months of full‑time satisfactory experience working as a Benefits Opportunity Specialist; or
• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college; plus at least eighteen months of full‑time satisfactory experience in a role described in the first bullet above.
• College credit from an accredited college may substitute for this experience on the basis of 60 semester credits for 9 months of the described work experience.

• Working knowledge of the Welfare Management System and Paperless Office System.
• 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.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness:
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 (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

Residency Requirement:
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.