Housing Specialist - Bronx Homeworks

Position Summary

The Peer Housing Specialist is responsible for providing supported housing services to adults diagnosed with mental illness in the Bronx. Join an innovative agency providing services through empowerment. Must possess the ability to reason clearly and make sound judgments. The ability to communicate clearly and effectively and to establish and maintain satisfactory relations with others is a must.

Minimum Qualifications

• A High School Diploma or GED required.
• Certified with the Academy of Peer Services or completion of certification within the first two months of employment.
• Experience in housing assistance, case management or human services.
• Familiarity with affordable housing initiatives such as Section 8 and public housing.
• Familiarity with housing software and databases, such as AWARDS.
• Knowledge of local housing laws and policies, including the Fair Housing Act.
• Ability to travel by mass transit, bus and subway, up to 6 rides in a day.
• Able to climb and descend up to 6 flights of stairs.
• Able to walk distances of up to 8 blocks from office to mass transit, or to client apartments.
• Driver’s license a plus.

Essential Functions

• Assist residents in finding and keeping preferred housing.
• Facilitate group meetings, workshops and training sessions which includes sharing your own recovery story/experience with consumers.
• Establish and maintain good rapport and working relationships with residents.
• Contribute to the formulation and implementation of individual housing support plans.
• Aid and encourage residents to meet the established goals of their housing plans.
• Report problems and behavioral changes to supervisor.
• Provide information, referrals, and advocacy.
• Work cooperatively with all internal and external entities.
• Ensure the protection of all clients’ civil liberties, rights and property.
• Document all contacts, in writing, in case files.
• Maintain accurate, up to date case files and other reporting requirements.
• Participate in supervisory meetings.
• Visit apartment sites at least once per month.
• On call responsibilities, where applicable.
• Ensure clients are transported to needed services in a timely manner.
• Maintain valid American Red Cross/American Heart Association CPR/First Aid certification, if applicable.
• Maintain and protect the confidential nature of all matters related to this position.
• Participate, when appropriate, in agency training sessions.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit; reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.