Housing Specialist

Organization Overview: The Goddard Riverside Community Center (Goddard Riverside) and the Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center (Isaacs Center) are well-established Manhattan community-based agencies that support services to approximately 30,000 New Yorkers. We are two of New York City’s leading human services organizations meeting the needs of children, youth and families, homeless individuals, and older adults through-out Manhattan and New York City. We work every day for a fair and just society where all people have the opportunity to make choices that lead to better lives for themselves and their families.

Program Description: The Baxter Safe Haven provides transitional housing to 75 adults experiencing homelessness with the goal of permanent housing. On-site services include case management, entitlement assistance, medical and psychiatric care, substance use counseling, group activities, meals, recreation, and 24 hour/7 day per week front desk security.

Purpose of Position: Serve as part of the interdisciplinary team working to secure permanent] housing for residents of the Baxter Safe Haven.

Schedule: Sunday through Thursday or Tuesday through Saturday; 11:00 am to 7:00 pm or 9:00 am to 5:00 pm shift (to be discussed with candidate).

Salary: $36,076- $45,095

• Conduct housing eligibility assessments of all clients.

• Complete housing application packages.

• Coach clients going on housing interviews.
• Develop linkages with supportive housing programs, NYCHA, real estate companies, low-income affordable housing landlords etc.
• Maintain and update listings of permanent affordable housing.
• Work collaboratively with Outreach teams to secure permanent stable housing.
• Develop and facilitate client workshops and individual sessions on skills and information necessary to acquire and maintain independent permanent housing.
• Track placements and conduct follow up of clients placed into permanent housing.
• Assist clients in achieving self-sufficiency through assistance with housing and income.
• Meet with clients to establish goals, action steps towards those goals, monitor and assess progress.
• Develop and maintain appropriate records and documentation of services to the clients.
• Advocate with clients when they have barriers to overcome in meeting their goals.
• Negotiate with landlords and other service providers to ensure stable housing
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with a diverse population with a wide array of needs and backgrounds.
• Respond quickly and appropriately in crisis situations.
• Attend staff meetings and actively participate in supervision
• Ability to work flexible schedule if needed

Qualifications/Educational Requirements

• Associate degree Required, Bachelor’s Degree Preferred
• Experience working with homeless adults preferred
• Experience working with individuals diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness, substance use and/co-occurring disorders preferred
• Prior transitional, outreach, or supportive housing experience preferred
• Bilingual (English and Spanish) preferred

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Strong Interpersonal and communication skills
• Organized with strong follow up and attention to detail
• Team player

Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual should be:

• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Outlook, Word and Excel
• Ability to learn computer databases such as AWARDS or CARES
• Able to learn Coordinated Assessment Placement System

Physical Requirements

• Escort clients on interviews in community as needed
• Ability to lift 30lbs

Work Environment

• Indoor office environment
• Some escorts in community
• Some visits to clients in dorms

This position is classified as a union position under the Collective Bargaining Agreement between Goddard Riverside and the United Service Workers Union Local 74 Collective Bargaining Unit. The union represents employees in the bargaining unit (i.e. Goddard employees in Local 74 union positions). The Collective Bargaining Agreement is a written contract that defines the agreed-upon terms and conditions of employment, including wage increases, paid time off and other benefits, and the grievance process. All employees in Local 74 union positions at Goddard Riverside are subject to and covered by the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Membership in the union includes the collection of union dues on a monthly basis, to be deducted from the member’s Goddard paycheck at a rate to be determined by the union.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of duties and responsibilities that will be required of this position and title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be requested to perform job related task other than those specifically presented in this description. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.