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. HPA/HHSI Rental Assistance Unit evaluates housing related requests referred by Benefits Access Centers (BAC), Legal Aid, Legal Services and other Community Based organizations and make determinations on such requests. Under the direction of the Deputy Director of the Rental Assistance Unit, responsible for supervising Rental Assistance Unit Case Consultant assigned to Central Office, with latitude for independent judgement, initiative and decision-making, the Associate Benefits Opportunity Specialist level III (ABOS III) is responsible for managing daily activities of the Rental Assistance Unit Case Consultants/ABOS II. HPA/ RAU is recruiting for two (2) Associate Benefits Opportunity Specialist III to work in RAU Central Office, who will: - Review and authorize approval of requests for emergency rental assistance to include one-shot deal rent arrears requests, mortgage and property tax arrears, requests for emergency rental assistance on behalf of cash assistance participants, and requests related to moving grants and new apartment expenses. - Liaise with Community Based Organizations, Legal Aid and Legal Service Providers on housing emergency cases referred to the Rental Assistance Unit for evaluation and approval of grants. - Prepare weekly statistical reports on behalf of program and reports from subordinates on cases received and processes. - Responsible for the time and leave of subordinate staff to ensure agency policies are adhered to and properly administered. - Participate in operational meetings with Director and managers in Housing and Homeless Services/Initiatives - Train staff on new initiatives and directives that are consistent with on-going program assessment, interpretation and implementation of agency policies. - Respond to email inquiries from internal and external partners related to case status. Hours: 9:30am-5:30pm, 10am-6pm Work Location: 109 East 16th Street 6th floor 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.