The mission of this pilot in support of the Mayoral goal of reducing and limiting homelessness in NYC, is to significantly increase HRA staff presence in housing court to ensure eligible clients get quick access to financial assistance that will allow them to stay in their homes and legal referrals to protect the housing rights of clients. The goal of this program is to facilitate, coordinate and expedite the completion of Access HRA application submission, referrals for emergency need grant requests, legal pre-screen referral and creating clear expectations for next steps within the process. ACCESS HRA is the Agency’s web and mobile platforms that are revolutionizing the way New Yorkers can receive and manage their benefits. HRA will provide direct assistance with applying for Cash Assistance including but not limited to, emergency rental assistance utilizing ACCESS HRA via PC Bank located on site at the housing court.
Under the direction of the Associate Job Opportunity Specialist II, the Associate Job Opportunity I (AJOS I) is responsible for supervising a team of JOS staff, who provide various functions of eligibility determination, ACCESS HRA application submission, legal pre-screen referral for both housing and non-housing related issues and other related services to persons in need, to promote individual and family self-sufficiency. The AJOS I use supervisory, program development, quantitative analysis, and other research skills in accomplishing all the goals of HRA-HPA Housing Court pilot and its components (Application, legal services, emergency needs, etc.).
HPA / Brooklyn Housing Court Pilot is looking to recruit three Associate Job Opportunity Specialist to function as PC Bank Facilitator Supervisor who will:
Complete legal pre-screen and refer client to on site legal services when determined necessary and eligible.
• Interview applicants and assess eligibility for immediate needs grants (food and non-food); for employability and eligibility for public assistance, SNAP and Medicaid; Manage all aspects of the case, including establishing on-going eligibility in POS, WMS/NYCWAY and other internal HRA systems.
• Interview and determine housing needs of tenants at risk of homelessness or already homeless reporting to the Housing Court. Develop anti-eviction/housing plans of intervention for referred participants in POS, WMS/NYCWAY and other internal HRA systems as necessary.
• Describe the various services provided by the Agency, as well as the rules and regulations governing the acceptance for the continuance of public assistance and other services; elicits answers and questions in general.
• Verify information impacting participants’/clients’ eligibility status, including, but not limited to making computer generated clearances in POS, WMS/NYCWAY and other internal HRA systems.
• Forward eligibility determination and budget calculations to supervisor for approval in POS, WMS/NYCWAY and other internal HRA systems.
Help Clients:
• Create ACCESS HRA Accounts
• Apply for SNAP or Cash Assistance
• Submit requests for assistance with an emergency or immediate need related to arrears
• Make changes to their case, such as updating income or household size
• Uploading, Scanning and or indexing documents HRA requires for their application
• Conduct initial eligibility interview for client who are unable to navigate Access HRA independent:
• Download ACCESS HRA mobile application to
• Check the status of their case or application.
• Update their contact information, such as email or mailing address.
• Check the status of their case or application.
• Receive important reminders and updates, among other features.
• Complete legal pre-screen and refer client to on site legal services when determined necessary and eligible.
• Interview applicants and assess eligibility for immediate needs grants (food and non-food); for employability and eligibility for public assistance, SNAP and Medicaid; Manage all aspects of the case, including establishing on-going eligibility in POS, WMS/NYCWAY and other internal HRA systems.
• Interview and determine housing needs of tenants at risk of homelessness or already homeless reporting to the Housing Court. Develop anti-eviction/housing plans of intervention for referred participants in POS, WMS/NYCWAY and other internal HRA systems as necessary.
• Describe the various services provided by the Agency, as well as the rules and regulations governing the acceptance for the continuance of public assistance and other services; elicits answers and questions in general.
• Verify information impacting participants’/clients’ eligibility status, including, but not limited to making computer generated clearances in POS, WMS/NYCWAY and other internal HRA systems.
• Forward eligibility determination and budget calculations to supervisor for approval in POS, WMS/NYCWAY and other internal HRA systems.
Minimum Qual Requirements
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; or
b. employment planning or counseling services which involve job development, skills assessment, and employment placement or other economic opportunity programming; or
2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college plus eighteen months of full-time satisfactory experience working as a Job Opportunity Specialist/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; or
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 18 months of full-time satisfactory experience working as a Job Opportunity Specialist/Benefits Opportunity Specialist or performing social/human services work as described in one (1) above.
Preferred Skills
• Experience with Welfare Management System (WMS), Cash Assistance, SNAP & Medicaid, Paperless Office System (POS), HRA One Viewer, Scanning, Indexing
• Good in Math, Oral & Written Communication Skills, Computer Literate, with Strong knowledge in Microsoft EXCEL
Additional Information
LOAN FORGIVENESS
The federal government provides student loan forgiveness through its Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) to all qualifying public service employees. Working with the DSS/HRA/DHS qualifies you as a public service employee and you may be able to take advantage of this program while working full-time and meeting the program’s other requirements. Please visit the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program site to view the eligibility requirements: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service.
The Human Resources Administration/Department of Social Services offers competitive salaries and the following benefits:
Generous Pension Plans (The New York Employees’ Retirement System);
401(k) and Roth 457 Retirement Savings Programs;
U.S. Savings Bonds Flexible Spending Program;
Health Benefits, Dental, Vision Coverage, Prescription Drug Program;
Training and Professional Development;
Opportunity for Scholarship; College Savings Program;
Paid Holidays and Generous Annual Leave.
To Apply
Click “Apply Now” Button
YOU MUST BE PERMANENT IN THE JOB OPPORTUNITY SPECIALIST TITLE FOR AT LEAST ONE YEAR. 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.
55-a Program
This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.
Public Svc Loan Forgiveness
As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at StudentAid.gov/PSLF .
Work Location
VARIOUS LOCATIONS
Residency Requirement
New York City Residency is not required for this position
POSTING DATE
07/24/2023
POST UNTIL
Until Filled
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.