Housing Specialist

Job Summary

The work involves responsibility for providing housing services for youth in foster care. The Housing Specialist will work directly with youth in Foster Care to transition to appropriate housing. The Housing Specialist will also help youth map out a long term housing plan including living independently and possibly having their own residence. The Housing Specialist will also connect youth with appropriate alternative housing programs. The Housing Specialist will work to identify appropriate housing subsidy programs and facilitate the application process. The Housing Specialist will also focus specifically on the needs of youth ages 18-20 since they will age out of care.

General Responsibilities

• Conduct mandated and enhanced housing Training Workshops.
• Develop workshops and seminars which teach young adults how to locate and obtain housing, read apartment ads, and negotiate with landlords and realtors.
• Conduct housing assessments and develop individual housing plans for youth referred by Life Skills Specialists and/or Social Workers.
• Develop relationships with community organizations offering transitional housing and make appropriate referrals.
• Monitor and supervise all stages of the housing application processes including but not limited to: o initial application with all supporting documentation
• Arrange and attend housing interviews.
• Should be familiar with local SILP programs and guide interested youth through those processes including application and interview.
• Establish relationship with ACS housing personnel.
• Follow up with ACS as necessary on status of housing applications.
• Work effectively with management companies, real estate offices, and supportive/transitional housing programs to meet the needs of youth.
• Meet weekly with the Educational and Employment Specialists to discuss all youth over age 20.
• Obtain current information about housing programs in a geographical area in which the youth resides.
• Collect Independent Living Assessments twice a year.
• Complete and maintain a database tracking reports and progress of specific services.
• Attend staff training sessions and conduct in-house training for staff as needed.
• Maintain contacts with discharged youths during trial discharge period.
• Flexibility is required in terms of evening or weekend hours.
• initial interview
• second interview
• apartment search
• negotiation with landlord
• preparing financial documents o inspection of apartment
• signing leases
• actual move-in

Physical Requirements

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. An employee in this position is regularly required to stand; walk, use hands and fingers, handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; talk and listen, and taste or smell. The employee frequently is required to walk.  The employee is occasionally required to keep balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Computer – The Housing Specialist must be able to use a computer and able to learn software programs
• Office Equipment- The Housing Specialist is required to operate a fax, copier, scan, and other office equipment.
• Communication - The Housing Specialist needs to be able to speak, read and write fluently in the English language
• Writing - The Housing Specialist must be able to write in the English language using correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc.
• Driving - The Housing Specialist must have a valid Driver’s License and a clean driving record.
• Lifting - The Housing Specialist may frequently lift 0-25 lbs., occasionally lift 25-50 lbs., and rarely lift over 50 lbs.
• Push/Pull - The Housing Specialist may frequently push/pull 0-25 lbs. of force, occasionally push/pull 26-45 lbs. force, and rarely push/pull over 45 lbs.
• Sitting, Standing and Walking – The Housing Specialist will be required to sit, stand and walk throughout the work day.
• Stooping -The Housing Specialist may occasionally stoop.  This is defined as bending body downward by bending spine at the waist.
• Kneeling -The Housing Specialist may occasionally kneel.  This is defined as bending legs at knees to come to rest on knee(s).
• Crouching - The Housing Specialist may occasionally crouch.  This is defined as bending body downward and forward by bending spine and legs.
• Work environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in an office environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate due to talk and movement of the program participants and other co- workers.  The noise level can increase on occasion due to yelling or screaming by the participants of the programs.

Job Summary

The work involves responsibility for providing housing services for youth in foster care. The Housing Specialist will work directly with youth in Foster Care to transition to appropriate housing. The Housing Specialist will also help youth map out a long term housing plan including living independently and possibly having their own residence. The Housing Specialist will also connect youth with appropriate alternative housing programs. The Housing Specialist will work to identify appropriate housing subsidy programs and facilitate the application process. The Housing Specialist will also focus specifically on the needs of youth ages 18-20 since they will age out of care.

General Responsibilities

• Conduct mandated and enhanced housing Training Workshops.
• Develop workshops and seminars which teach young adults how to locate and obtain housing, read apartment ads, and negotiate with landlords and realtors.
• Conduct housing assessments and develop individual housing plans for youth referred by Life Skills Specialists and/or Social Workers.
• Develop relationships with community organizations offering transitional housing and make appropriate referrals.
• Monitor and supervise all stages of the housing application processes including but not limited to: o initial application with all supporting documentation
• Arrange and attend housing interviews.
• Should be familiar with local SILP programs and guide interested youth through those processes including application and interview.
• Establish relationship with ACS housing personnel.
• Follow up with ACS as necessary on status of housing applications.
• Work effectively with management companies, real estate offices, and supportive/transitional housing programs to meet the needs of youth.
• Meet weekly with the Educational and Employment Specialists to discuss all youth over age 20.
• Obtain current information about housing programs in a geographical area in which the youth resides.
• Collect Independent Living Assessments twice a year.
• Complete and maintain a database tracking reports and progress of specific services.
• Attend staff training sessions and conduct in-house training for staff as needed.
• Maintain contacts with discharged youths during trial discharge period.
• Flexibility is required in terms of evening or weekend hours.
• initial interview
• second interview
• apartment search
• negotiation with landlord
• preparing financial documents o inspection of apartment
• signing leases
• actual move-in

Physical Requirements

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. An employee in this position is regularly required to stand; walk, use hands and fingers, handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; talk and listen, and taste or smell. The employee frequently is required to walk.  The employee is occasionally required to keep balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Computer – The Housing Specialist must be able to use a computer and able to learn software programs
• Office Equipment- The Housing Specialist is required to operate a fax, copier, scan, and other office equipment.
• Communication - The Housing Specialist needs to be able to speak, read and write fluently in the English language
• Writing - The Housing Specialist must be able to write in the English language using correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc.
• Driving - The Housing Specialist must have a valid Driver’s License and a clean driving record.
• Lifting - The Housing Specialist may frequently lift 0-25 lbs., occasionally lift 25-50 lbs., and rarely lift over 50 lbs.
• Push/Pull - The Housing Specialist may frequently push/pull 0-25 lbs. of force, occasionally push/pull 26-45 lbs. force, and rarely push/pull over 45 lbs.
• Sitting, Standing and Walking – The Housing Specialist will be required to sit, stand and walk throughout the work day.
• Stooping -The Housing Specialist may occasionally stoop.  This is defined as bending body downward by bending spine at the waist.
• Kneeling -The Housing Specialist may occasionally kneel.  This is defined as bending legs at knees to come to rest on knee(s).
• Crouching - The Housing Specialist may occasionally crouch.  This is defined as bending body downward and forward by bending spine and legs.
• Work environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in an office environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate due to talk and movement of the program participants and other co- workers.  The noise level can increase on occasion due to yelling or screaming by the participants of the programs.

Qualifications

• Possession of a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university required. Experience working with youth in Foster Care preferred
• Must possess a valid NYS Drivers license at the time of appointment and maintain such license for the duration of employment. Must be willing to work flexible hours.
• Working knowledge of the modern principles and practices of social work with youth;
• Working knowledge of researching and engaging community services;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships;
• Ability to communicate effectively with SED population;
• Ability to plan and collaborate with youth and their team;
• Computer literacy and familiarity with Connx;
• Ability to plan, lead, conduct groups with youth and adult training sessions;
• Ability to make oral and written reports;
• Very Good judgment;
• Ability to model and present professionally;
• Good assessment and interviewing and counseling skills;
• Excellent communication skills necessary;
• Administrative experience and ability to work independently required;

Hours And Time Of Work

Full-time: 35 Hours per Week