Job Description APPLICANTS MUST BE PERMANENT IN THE ASSOCIATE BENEFITS OPPORTUNITY SPECIALIST CIVIL SERVICE 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. HomeBase 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. HPA is recruiting for four (4) Associate Benefit Opportunity Specialist 02 to function as a Homebase Consultant in HPA / RAU Homebase location, who will: - Review and assess requests made by HomeBase providers for emergency housing assistance and review interviews conducted by HomeBase providers and documentation supplied by applicants/participants to determine eligibility for emergency housing assistance in coordination with applications filed at the HomeBase providers’ sites. - Provide consultation services with respect to the prevention of evictions caused by non- payment of rent; conduct interviews with head of households to determine the need for emergency rental assistance and verify the information utilizing Welfare Management System (WMS). - Work closely with HomeBase 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 orders to record case disposition. - Respond to inquiries made by HomeBase providers regarding case status, HRA policy and general eligibility issues; act as a liaison between HomeBase 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: Mon-Fri-9am-5pm Work Location: 516 West 181st Street Manhattan Qualifications 1. 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 either: a) client services. b) employment planning/counseling services which involves job development, skills assessment, and employment placement or other economic opportunity programming. 2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college; plus eighteen months of full time satisfactory experience working as a Benefits Opportunity Specialist; or 3. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college; plus eighteen months of full time satisfactory experience as described in one (1) above. 4. College credit from an accredited college may be substituted for this experience on the basis of 60 semester credits for 9 months of the work experience described above. However, all candidates must have at least 18 months of full-time satisfactory experience working as a Benefits Opportunity Specialist or performing social/human services work as described in one (1) above. Additional Information 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.