Engagement Specialist

About the role

Project Renewal is a leading non-profit organization with the mission of building supportive communities where people achieve dignity and independence, renewing their lives with health, homes, and jobs. Our comprehensive and integrated 24/7 programs are designed to offer the holistic care our clients need. With a staff of 950+ and an annual budget of $140 million, Project Renewal is one of the larger social service nonprofits in New York City. The New Providence Women’s shelter is located within the Ramada Inn in West Midtown Manhattan and provides 100 emergency shelter beds for homeless women diagnosed with mental illness and/or substance use disorders. Our comprehensive services include case management, individual and group counseling, recreational activities, and housing placement assistance.

Responsibilities

• Act as a liaison between New Providence Women’s shelter, NYPD, DHSPD, DHS, some aspects of Community Government, and other local agencies to reduce loitering on neighborhood streets.
• Conduct community walk-throughs and engage current New Providence clients about loitering on neighboring streets and parks.
• Alert DHS Outreach team of known street homeless individuals.
• Enforce adherence with the Good Neighbor Policy by issuing verbal and written warnings reminding clients of their compliance responsibilities regarding facility policies.
• Engage loitering clients about the services provided at New Providence and encourage participation in offered on-site recreational and Occupational Therapy activities.
• Engage challenging clients to participate in service planning and housing search processes.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date written client documentation as required by city and state oversight agency guidelines.
• Act as a “Champion” for the overdose prevention program, which includes providing ongoing overdose prevention training to clients and staff and engaging clients after overdose.
• Complete monthly overdose prevention reporting for DOH, DHMH and DHS.
• Participate in training and monthly staff meetings.
• Communicate with the Social Services team to discuss client concerns.
• Participate in case conferences in response to client complaints, using conflict resolution techniques to amicably resolve issues.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Social Services, Assistant Director and/or Program Director.
• Physical activities: walk between all floors of the facility, climbing up and down staircases when the elevator is out of order; stand talking to clients and staff; sit for extended periods at the computer; reach or squat to retrieve file records.

Requirements

• Minimum Associate’s degree preferred.
• Experience working with adults with mental health and/or substance use issues, preferably in homeless shelters or supportive housing.
• Preferred certificates and credentials: Fire Guard certification F-02 or Fire Safety Coordinator F-80; Narcan trained; ability to become a Certified Trainer in Opioid Overdose Prevention.

Skills

• Leadership: demonstrated ability to manage and motivate staff to accomplish program goals while developing individual and group skills.
• Team building: ability to develop and foster team spirit, enabling staff to overcome challenges of providing needed services to a special client population.
• Communication: excellent oral, writing, and listening skills.
• Organizational: ability to work well within a highly pressurized, deadline environment while meeting short- and long-term mandates.
• Interpersonal: ability to interface with clients as well as all levels of staff.
• Computer: knowledge of case management software and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Language: bilingual or multilingual a plus.

Pay

Salary range: $44,000–$48,000.