Housing Specialist - Admissions - Fortune Society : Job Details

Job DetailsJob LocationLong Island City - Long Island City, NYPosition TypeFull TimeSalary Range$45,000.00 - $50,000.00 SalaryJob ShiftDayDescriptionTitle: Housing SpecialistUnit: AdmissionsReports to: Senior DirectorStatus: Full Time; Regular; Non-Exempt Location: Long Island City LocationPosition Summary:The Housing Specialist hired for this role will support The Fortune Societys Admissions Unit Transitional Services. The Housing Specialist will assist program participants with securing safe, appropriate and affordable emergency (immediate), transitional, and temporary and/or long-term housing. In addition to placing participants into a variety of housing options, the Housing Specialist will develop a robust network of housing referral agencies, to ensure ongoing placement and consistent cultivation of housing providers. Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Identify adequate, safe, appropriate and affordable housing for participants;
• Cultivate and maintain partnership with housing resources/providers;
• Create and manage housing resource bank, maintaining a list of new contacts;
• Maintain accurate and detailed list of all housing placements and specific types of housing;
• Assist participants with completing housing applications and other necessary documentation;
• Assist with 2010E application; collect and submit all appropriate documents;

• Maintain filing system, upload all documents into data management system (Case Worthy) and in appropriate section of participants file;
• Assist with and confirm eligibility for specialized housing placements (e.g. Justice Involved Supportive Housing [JISH], HIV/AIDS Services Administration [HASA], Scattered Site Housing, etc.);
• Assess barriers to housing and leverage supportive services to remove barriers and assist participants with self-sufficiency;
• As needed, maintain ongoing communication and follow up with other parties involved in participants success (e.g. Case Managers, Job Developers, Career Advisors, referrals sources, partner agencies, and the like);
• Make referrals for necessary support to appropriate community-based organizations
• Review and educate participants about residential lease contracts, ensure they are aware of their tenant rights and responsibilities and lease terms;
• Provide mediation and advocacy with landlords on the clients behalf to develop a workable plan to obtain and/or maintain housing.
• Maintain accurate records and logs and complete all required reporting information;
• Offer housing presentations to in house programs as needed
• Assume other responsibilities as assigned.

QualificationsQualifications:

• High school diploma or GED/HSE with certification from an accredited institution or an associates degree or some college or a bachelors degree or equivalent experience in relevant field of study (e.g. psychology, criminal justice, social work, or liberal arts);
• At least 3 years of experience working with justice-involved clients;
• Familiar with NYC housing issues/regulations and able to navigate them to provide quality housing placements for our clients;
• Demonstrated experience assessing client locating various housing opportunities throughout the five boroughs of NYC, familiar with housing placement for specialized populations, the 2010E process, and identifying appropriate housing in accordance with needs, lease signing and move in process;
• Proficient in Microsoft Office computer applications, especially Word, Outlook and Excel database;
• Strong verbal, writing, and negotiating skills, with experience in negotiating program acceptance and rents with landlords a plus;
• Ability to take initiative, be dependable, resourceful and be able to pay keen attention to detail;
• Excellent organizational skills to manage multiple priorities at the same time in a time-sensitive manner;

The Fortune Society encourages individuals to apply who have successfully made the transition from incarceration and/or substance abuse into a stable, productive lifestyle in the community. Travel Requirements: Travel within the five boroughs of NYC by train and or bus, including to NYC jails. Drivers license a plus. Occasional travel to our Harlem office for meetings and/or trainings.Physical Demands:To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The responsibilities and requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skills, minimum education, training, licensing, experience and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. The Fortune Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of conviction history, race, religion/creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, victim of domestic violence status or marital status.