Job Description YOU MUST BE PERMANENT IN THE JOB OPPORTUNITY SPECIALIST TITLE FOR AT LEAST ONE YEAR. IF THIS IS A PROVISIONAL APPOINTMENT, WHEN A TEST BECOMES AVAILABLE IN THE ASSOCIATE JOB OPPORTUNITY SPECIALIST (AJOS) TITLE, YOU MUST TAKE AND PASS THE EXAM TO REMAIN IN THE AJOS 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. HPA/ Rental Assistance Unit / Legal Services (RAU) is recruiting for two (2) Associate Benefits Opportunity Specialists II to function as Rental Assistant Case Consultants, who will: Review requests for rent arrears and other housing related emergencies, exception to policy received from Family Independence Administration’s (FIA) Benefits Access Centers (BAC). Review and assess requests for exception to policy received from BACs, Legal Aid, Legal Services and Community Based Organizations (CBO). Review the legal provider’s submission and authorize payments for requests for assistance with rent arrears and other emergency housing related grants (e.g. Section 8, NYCHA, HPD, mortgage arrears, CityFHEPS). Process requests for authorization of payment of rent arrears to prevent participant’s eviction; suggest alternatives to maintain housing for public and non-public assistance individuals and families. Intervene in emergency cases to prevent eviction; maintain chronological logs of activities in order to record case disposition in Rental Assistance Database (RAD) Various schedules (9am-5pm, 10am-6pm) 109 East 16th Street, New York 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[1]time satisfactory experience working as a Benefits Opportunity Specialist; or 3. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college; plus eighteen months of full[1]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.