Housing Specialist (Case Manager)
3 days ago
New York
Job Description:\n\nPosition Summary Practice of Peace Foundation (“POP” or “the Organization”) is a New York City-based nonprofit corporation operating shelter sites and a community resource room across the Bronx and Queens in service of individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The Organization integrates transitional housing with mental health services delivered through the principles of the Health Realization Approach. The Housing Specialist (Case Manager) plays a critical role in supporting residents in securing and maintaining permanent housing. This position develops and implements individualized housing and service plans tailored to each resident’s needs, income, resources, and long-term goals, and serves as a key connector between residents and community-based services, including mental health care, financial assistance, and employment support. The role requires strong case-management skills and a deep understanding of housing systems, especially for individuals with health, mental health, or substance use challenges. This position operates within a DHS-funded shelter environment and is governed by DHS Case Management and housing placement guidelines, 18 NYCRR Part 491 and/or Part 900 as applicable, and all other applicable laws and POP policy. Essential Duties & Responsibilities The following duties are essential functions of the position within the meaning of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the New York State and New York City Human Rights Laws. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions, except where doing so would impose an undue hardship on the Organization. The list below is representative and is not intended to be exhaustive. Housing SupportDevelop and implement Independent Living Plans (ILPs) with a focus on permanent housing goals.Assist residents with housing searches, including providing leads and advocating with landlords and brokers.Guide residents through housing application processes and rental-subsidy programs (e.g., DHS housing packets, CityFHEPS, NYCHA, Section 8, SOTA, NYC Housing Lottery).Escort residents to housing interviews, lease signings, and apartment inspections as needed.Enroll residents in DHS CARES and complete and submit HHAs on their behalf. Case Management & Resident SupportProvide regular counseling, crisis intervention, and service referrals.Meet weekly with residents on assigned caseloads to review housing and service plans and adjust as necessary.Assist residents in maintaining enrollment in public-benefit programs and coordinate with the Department of Education for school placement and support services for children (ESL/ELL, IEP).Promote independent-living skills (budgeting, nutrition, hygiene, housekeeping) through workshops and one-on-one coaching, and connect residents with employment and vocational training.Conduct weekly room inspections to monitor hygiene and safety standards.Administrative DutiesMaintain timely and accurate documentation in DHS CARES, including case notes and service updates.Submit incident reports and witness statements when required.Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and case conferences.Perform other duties as assigned by the Case Manager Supervisor. Minimum Qualifications Candidates must satisfy the qualifications set forth below. POP reserves the right to determine, in its sole discretion, whether a candidate’s education, credentials, and experience satisfy the requirements of this position. Education & ExperienceBachelor’s degree in social services or a related field (Social Work, Human Services, Sociology, Psychology, Human Relations).Minimum of two (2) years of experience in case management, housing services, counseling, or advocacy in a social-services setting.A minimum of five (5) years of case-management experience in the past seven (7) years may be substituted for the educational requirement.Experience working with immigrants and/or understanding of immigration issues strongly preferred. Skills & CompetenciesStrong verbal and written communication; English required, Spanish or multilingual strongly preferred.Computer literacy in MS Word, Excel, and Outlook; basic budgeting skills.Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.Physical ability to make unit visits, including walking distances and climbing stairs. Work Environment & Physical Demands This is an on-site position at the Freeman Residence Shelter, 999 Freeman Avenue, Bronx, NY 10459. The position is regularly scheduled Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; however, POP shelter sites operate twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week, and the schedule may include evenings, weekends, and holidays as operational needs require. The assigned work location, schedule, reporting relationships, and specific duties are subject to change in the sole discretion of the Organization in response to programmatic, funder, and operational needs, with or without prior notice. The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations will be considered in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws.Ability to sit and use a computer workstation for extended periods (up to six (6) hours per shift).Ability to traverse the shelter facility, including climbing stairs to access multiple floors. Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull up to twenty-five (25) pounds (e.g., supplies, donations, files).Ability to respond physically to crisis situations, including standing, walking, or moving rapidly through the facility as required.Ability to communicate clearly in person, by telephone, and in writing in English.Reasonable likelihood of exposure to a shelter environment serving individuals with complex behavioral health, substance use, and medical conditions, which may include occasional exposure to verbal conflict, emotional distress, or communicable illness. Use of universal precautions and personal protective equipment is required as appropriate. Conditions of Employment Employment in this position is contingent upon, and continued employment requires ongoing compliance with, the following:Pre-Employment Screening. Successful completion of a criminal background check, fingerprinting (in accordance with applicable DHS and New York State requirements), reference checks, and any other screening required by law or by POP’s funders.Successful Passing of Interview with DHS: The DHS office must interview and screen this position in addition to the Practice of Peace Foundation. Upon successful clearance from the DHS office, we can proceed with your employment.Child Welfare Clearance. For positions involving direct contact with children or with families with children, clearance through the New York Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR), pursuant to Section 424-a of the New York State Social Services Law.Work Authorization. Verification of identity and employment eligibility in accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act and the federal E-Verify program.Mandated Reporting. Pursuant to New York State Social Services Law §§ 413 and 473, the Site Director is a Mandated Reporter and shall report suspected child abuse or maltreatment to the Statewide Central Register, and suspected abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation of vulnerable adults to Adult Protective Services (APS), in accordance with applicable law and POP policy.Confidentiality. Strict maintenance of the confidentiality of all client, personnel, and proprietary information in accordance with HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, New York Mental Hygiene Law, DHS confidentiality requirements, and POP’s Confidentiality Policy.Policy Compliance. Compliance with all POP policies and procedures, including without limitation the Conflict of Interest Policy, Code of Conduct, Anti-Harassment Policy, and all applicable federal, New York State, and New York City laws and regulations.Training. Timely completion of all DHS-mandated trainings (via the Absorb Learning Management System or successor system) and all POP-mandated trainings, including training in the Health Realization Approach.Credentials. Maintenance in good standing of any credential or license required for the position (any required management credential, if applicable), and prompt notification to POP of any change in credential or licensure status. A failure to satisfy or maintain any of the foregoing conditions, or any material misrepresentation in connection with the application or employment process, may result in disciplinary action up to and including immediate termination of employment, subject to applicable law. Compensation & Benefits In accordance with New York State Labor Law § 194-b (Pay Transparency Law), the annual salary range for this position is $45,000 – $50,000, which is equivalent to approximately $21.63 – $24.04 / hour based on a 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation will be determined based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, internal equity, and applicable program funding. Eligible employees may participate in the following benefit programs, subject to plan eligibility requirements, applicable waiting periods, and the terms and conditions of the governing plan documents:Medical insurance, with multiple plan optionsDental insurance, 100% employer-paidVision insurance, 100% employer-paid401(k) retirement plan with employer matching contributionPaid Time Off (PTO), paid holidays, and sick and safe leave in accordance with applicable lawEmployee Assistance Program (EAP) The foregoing is a summary of available benefit programs and does not create any contractual right to any benefit. All benefit programs are governed by the applicable plan documents, summary plan descriptions, and Organization policies, which control in the event of any inconsistency with this summary. Practice of Peace Foundation reserves the right, in its sole discretion and consistent with applicable law, to modify, amend, suspend, or terminate any benefit program, in whole or in part, at any time and with or without notice. Equal Employment Opportunity Practice of Peace Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital or partnership status, caregiver or familial status, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), military or veteran status, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, citizenship or immigration status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence, or stalking, arrest or conviction record (consistent with applicable law), or any other characteristic protected by federal, New York State, or New York City law. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the New York State Human Rights Law, and the New York City Human Rights Law, the Organization provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of their position, except where doing so would impose an undue hardship. Applicants requiring accommodation during the application or interview process should contact Human Resources. Individuals from historically underrepresented communities, individuals with lived experience of homelessness or recovery, and individuals eligible for participation in the New York City 55-a Program are encouraged to apply. General ProvisionsNature of Job Description. This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by an individual assigned to this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, working conditions, or qualifications associated with the position, and is not a contract of employment or guarantee of employment for any specific term.Reservation of Rights. Practice of Peace Foundation reserves the right, in its sole discretion and consistent with applicable law, to modify, add to, or eliminate any of the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, work location, schedule, reporting relationships, compensation, or benefits described in this job description at any time, with or without prior notice, to meet the operational, programmatic, and contractual needs of the Organization.At-Will Employment; Funder Requirements; Governing Law. Employment with the Practice of Peace Foundation is at-will. Either the employee or the Organization may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause and with or without notice, subject to applicable law. No statement contained in this job description, in any employee handbook, or in any other Organization communication is intended to, nor shall it be construed to, alter the at-will nature of the employment relationship. This position is supported in whole or in part by government contracts and is subject to all applicable funder requirements, including those of the New York City Department of Homeless Services; continuation of the position is contingent on continued funding and contractual authorization. This job description and the employment relationship to which it relates shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to its conflict-of-laws principles.