Housing Specialist

THIS POSITION IS ONLY OPEN TO THOSE WHO ARE PERMANEMT IN THE TITLE OR REACHABLE ON THE LIST*

The Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) protects and promotes the safety and well-being of New York City’s children and families by providing child welfare, juvenile justice, and early care services.

In child welfare, ACS contracts with private nonprofit organizations to support and stabilize families at risk of a crisis through preventive services and provides foster care services for children not able to safely remain at home.

Each year, the agency’s Division of Child Protection responds to more than 50, reports of suspected child abuse or neglect.

In juvenile justice, ACS manages and funds services including detention and placement, intensive community-based alternatives for youth, and support services for families.

ACS is also a key part of NYCs early childhood and education continuum, providing childcare assistance to thousands of child welfare involved and low-income children so they can access safe, affordable, quality care.

New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) seeks to hire one Housing Specialist to work under the direction of the Division of Family Permanency Services (FPS) leadership.

The role of the Housing Specialist is to help youth and families to achieve stable housing. The Housing Specialist will work closely with various foster care agencies to process eligible youth and ACS-involved families for housing opportunities and subsidies.

The Housing Specialist will coordinate with various City agencies (e.g. NYC DHS, HRA, DSS, HPD, and NYCHA) to support permanency and housing stability.

Primary tasks will include but are not limited to :

• Complete NYCHA electronic public housing applications via the online portal.
• Complete supportive housing applications in the Coordinated Assessment Placement System (CAPS).
• Conduct interviews with youth to write psychosocial evaluations for supportive housing applications.
• Work collaboratively with Foster Care agency’s case planner, housing specialist and Fair Futures’ coach to recommend viable housing options for youth and offer supports around other housing

resources (such as vouchers) and housing referrals.

• Respond to inquiries related to housing application statuses and taking necessary steps to attain resolution for all housing related matters.
• Participate in training, workshops and offers technical assistance for clients, employees, and foster care providers.
• Interface with relevant parties (i.e. contracted provider agency staff, FCLS, advocates) to recommend and / or work to resolve housing issues.
• Participate in meetings and / or presentations to support ACS’ housing service offerings.
• Perform other related duties.

Minimum Qualifications

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college including or supplemented by 24 semester credits in one or a combination of the following fields : social work, psychology, sociology, human services, criminal justice, education (including early childhood), nursing, or cultural anthropology, with at least 12 of these credits in one discipline.

Requirements for Assignment Level II

a. Upon satisfactory completion of six months of training and experience at Assignment Level I, an employee shall be assigned to Assignment Level II.

b. Upon completion of one year of satisfactory experience at Assignment Level II of Child Welfare Specialist and satisfactory completion of the probationary period an employee shall receive no less than the minimum salary after 18 months in title.

c. To be appointed directly to Assignment Level II, a candidate must have, in addition to meeting the minimum qualification requirements set forth above, one year of satisfactory child welfare casework experience.

Preferred Skills

Working knowledge of current housing subsidies, vouchers and public benefit programs Must have excellent communication, analytical, customer service and organizational skills This job description is not intended to be all inclusive, and employee will also perform reasonable related business duties as assigned.

55a 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.

Residency Requirement

New York City Residency is not required for this position