Adult Development Specialist - Cluster 2

Lantern Community Services helps New Yorkers impacted by homelessness move from surviving to thriving by pairing safe, supportive housing with wraparound services that build lasting stability and independence. Lantern was recognized as a Top 2025 Workplace by City & State New York.

About the Role

The Adult Development Specialist is a critical team member within Lantern's Integrated Services Program, providing person-centered, individualized support, education, and resources to adult residents in support of their personal, educational, and professional goals, with a focus on fostering long-term stability and self-sufficiency. This role empowers residents to overcome barriers, enhance life skills, and build the confidence needed to navigate housing, employment, education, and community engagement successfully. The Adult Development Specialist collaborates closely with Case Managers, Housing Specialists, and other Integrated Services team members to ensure that adults in the program receive holistic support as they work toward their goals.

Responsibilities

• At each assigned site, work individually with a small, targeted caseload of tenants who have Resident Learning SMART goals related to entitlements, financial stability, mental wellness and resiliency, health self-management, community engagement, and/or employment and education.
• Provide additional one-on-one support to tenants on time-sensitive needs and goals in collaboration with site-based program staff.
• Provide person-centered services and coaching to support tenants in developing meaningful, self-directed personal and professional goals; support them in making and tracking incremental progress toward those goals and celebrating successes.
• Provide concrete assistance, referrals, resource access, and motivational support related to securing public benefits; using technology and digital resources; becoming work-ready; building professional skills; obtaining employment; and exploring and securing educational opportunities and scholarships.
• Develop and facilitate workshop curricula and group coaching sessions on topics including essential life skills, activities of daily living (ADLs), mental health awareness, time management, financial literacy, communication, problem-solving, conflict resolution, and informed decision-making.
• Engage in creative and assertive outreach to encourage and motivate tenant engagement, participation, and peer-to-peer support and learning opportunities.
• Engage in community outreach to expand service referral options and secure site-based services by external partners.
• Support tenant participation in community-based activities, such as volunteering, neighborhood events, social activities, and advocacy and legislative work that promote belonging and empowerment.
• Collaborate with local employers, workforce development agencies, and other vocational partners to create job placement opportunities and guide residents through the application process.
• Advocate for adult residents' needs with local organizations, employers, and service providers to facilitate access to essential services and support.
• Maintain accurate and timely records and reports of resident progress, services provided, program participation and outcomes, and significant case developments through documentation in Lantern's EHR and other reporting platforms.
• Monitor resident progress against personal development goals, employment milestones, educational advancements, functional capacity, and overall well-being, providing regular updates and assessments to supervisors and the team.
• Collaborate with each site's interdisciplinary team and participate in staff meetings, clinical meetings, and supervision to ensure best practices, as well as training and pilot programs related to evidence-based practices and innovative adaptations to enhance service delivery.
• Ensure that all aspects of residents' goals are integrated into their broader case plans, addressing any barriers related to mental health, addiction, housing stability, or other challenges.
• Participate in program evaluation and continuous improvement efforts by offering feedback on current services' effectiveness and suggesting improvements based on resident feedback and observed outcomes.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required; bachelor's degree from an accredited institution preferred. Relevant life experience may substitute for the education preference.
• At least 2 to 3 years of experience working in social services, adult education, career development, or supportive housing programs.
• Experience working with individuals facing barriers such as former homelessness, mental health challenges, substance use, or poverty is required.
• Familiarity with employment services, life skills training, adult education and learning programs and practices, and community resources.
• Experience facilitating workshops, one-on-one sessions, public speaking, and groups.
• Ability to motivate and empower clients to develop life skills and achieve goals.
• Ability to work and travel independently.
• Ability to multitask and coordinate services across various programs.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including excellent writing, demonstrated organizational skills, and the ability to perform complex tasks with limited supervision.
• Knowledge of accommodations for people with disabilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with evidence-based practices such as Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction, and Trauma-Informed Care.

Schedule

Full-time, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Lantern staff may be asked to adjust their work schedule depending on the operational and programmatic needs of the site and the agency.

Work Environment

This position operates within a supportive housing site and works with a population that may experience mental illness, addiction, disability, HIV/AIDS, and other chronic health conditions.

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, climb stairs, and/or kneel.
• Must use hands to type, handle, or feel.
• Frequently required to talk or hear.
• Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 5 pounds.
• Requires travel between sites during the workday.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role.