Independent Living Specialist - HomePlus Bronx

Responsibilities

• Manage an assigned caseload of single men and women entering housing after homelessness, many with serious mental illness (SPMI) and/or substance use disorders.
• Assist with intake and admission processes, including application and re‑certification of entitlements.
• Develop, update, and maintain service plans and chart documentation.
• Provide supportive counseling, plan and facilitate support groups, and teach/assist with activities of daily living.
• Help clients with money management and participate in collection of clients’ rent.
• Organize recreational activities and provide linkages/referrals to community resources such as medical, mental health, and substance‑abuse services.
• Utilize a harm‑reduction approach and motivational interviewing techniques.
• Make regular visits to client apartments to ensure a safe, secure environment in compliance with City guidelines.
• Participate in community meetings, interdisciplinary team meetings, and be on call during off‑hours.
• Complete BRC‑approved trainings and provide emergency first aid/CPR assistance when needed.
• Report to the Program Supervisor.

Qualifications

• Preferred: BA required; minimum one year experience working with homeless, addicted, and/or mentally ill populations.
• Preferred: Driver’s license; bilingual ability a plus.
• Preferred: Basic computer literacy.
• Preferred: CPR training certification or willingness to obtain certification.
• Alternate: High school diploma with at least two years experience working with homeless and/or mentally ill individuals.
• Alternate: Driver’s license; bilingual ability a plus.
• Alternate: Basic computer literacy.
• Alternate: CPR training certification or willingness to obtain certification.
• Vaccination preferred but not required.

Program Description

BRC maintains 456 supported apartments throughout the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan through the HomePlus program. These apartments are dedicated to formerly homeless individuals with a history of mental illness and/or substance abuse and are funded by state and city mental health agencies, including the NYS Office of Mental Health, the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and the NYS Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services. The HomePlus operations have expanded significantly, adding 90 units for seriously mentally ill and/or substance‑using unsheltered homeless individuals in 2020‑2021.

Benefits

• Health and dental insurance available for employee, spouse, domestic partner, and dependents.
• Minimum of three weeks paid vacation, twelve paid holidays, and additional paid sick and personal time.
• 403(b) pension plan with employer matching contributions.
• Tuition assistance and numerous training opportunities for career development.
• Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) for healthcare, transit, and childcare.

Schedule

Full‑time, 37.5 hours per week, Monday – Friday; 9:00 am – 5:30 pm.

Location

Bronx, NY