RESOURCE SPECIALIST

The Department of Homeless Services (DHS) is comprised of 2,000 employees and with an annual operating budget of over $1 billion is one of the largest organizations of its kind committed to preventing and addressing homelessness in New York City. Collaborating with other Public Agencies and Not-for-Profit Partners, DHS works to prevent homelessness before it occurs, reduce street homelessness, and assist New Yorkers to transition from shelter into appropriate permanent housing. DHS is responsible for management of over 200 facilities, which mainly are individual and family shelters used as overnight residences for over 38,000 adults and children. DHS’s portfolio covers approximately 4M square feet.

The Division of Shelter Intake is responsible for the oversight of the day-to-day operations of the agency’s Single Adult, Adult Families and Families with Children’s intake and assessment sites, both directly run and contracted providers. This Division is responsible for ensuring that the City’s most vulnerable population can access shelter, per eligibility criteria, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

The Department of Homeless Services (DHS) is recruiting for one (1) to function as a Community Coordinator Resource Specialist who will:

- Cultivate relationships across diverse communities to provide new opportunities for clients and community based homeless population regarding housing alternatives to shelter. Provide information about these prospects to Staff and support community partners as they provide these opportunities to the homeless population.

- Conduct outreach, interviews, recruitment, and screening for housing alternatives to shelter with primary tenants, landlords, building superintendent, neighbors, other City Agencies, institutional settings, private entities, and any other collateral sources of information to obtain that is relevant in connection with determining the applicant’s viability for housing within the community.

- Canvas community and engage with community based homeless population to provide DHS shelter referrals.

- Educate about housing options or other resources available in the community through mediation, referrals, meetings, and other methods.

- Gather all applicant information including housing history and income. Review and verify documents provided by the applicant. Perform screening interviews for the single adult applicants.

Follow-up with applicant’s past housing resources to determine whether applicant can return to the community. Make an initial recommendation on applicant’s alternatives to shelter based on a total assessment of the individual’s situation.

- Conduct field work, including interviews and meetings with primary tenants, landlords, building superintendent, and neighbors.

- Perform all other necessary screenings of applicants who have housing options or other resources available in the community. Provide an initial assessment of applicant’s psychiatric and substance abuse history and work with a Behavior Health Specialist as needed.

Hours/Schedule: Saturday - Wednesday 12am – 8am (RDO Thurs, Fri)

COMMUNITY COORDINATOR - 56058