TSU OUTREACH SPECIALIST

The Department of Social Services (DSS) is comprised of the administrative units of the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) and the Department of Homeless Services (DHS). HRA is dedicated to fighting poverty and income inequality by providing New Yorkers in need with essential benefits such as Food Assistance and Emergency Rental Assistance. DHS is committed to preventing and addressing homelessness in New York City by employing a variety of innovative strategies to help families and individuals successfully exit shelter and return to self-sufficiency as quickly as possible. The NYC Public Engagement Unit (PEU) identifies and executes proactive strategies to connect New Yorkers to key City services.

About the role

The Public Engagement Unit consists of teams of specialists who are trained to effectively engage New Yorkers and connect them with vital resources. The Unit uses data to identify demographics that likely want or need city services; and works with partner agencies, elected officials, community groups, non-profit organizations, and service providers to engage directly with communities and subject matter experts in all five boroughs. The unit is frequently involved in citywide events, special projects in conjunction with multiple city agencies, and targeted days of action.

PEU is seeking Outreach Specialists with experience in community-based outreach and/or case management. Successful candidates will:

• Engage New Yorkers through various outreach tactics including door-to-door canvassing, phone calls, and peer-to-peer texting, to assess their needs and inform them of relevant City services and resources.
• Provide ongoing case management to help New Yorkers access benefits, with a primary focus on housing benefits and services.
• Conduct outreach Days of Action and other community events.
• Respond to incoming calls from the Tenant Helpline.
• Maintain ongoing reporting and communication with their assigned supervisor.
• Liaise with community stakeholders, including community-based organizations and agency partners.
• Support partners with outreach efforts to provide additional resources and information to New Yorkers citywide.
• Assist with special projects, as needed.

A successful candidate will know how to run an effective meeting, read the room, and build strong relationships with diverse groups of stakeholders. They will be able to synthesize input from staff with hard data to create viable outreach strategies.

Requirements

• High school graduation or equivalent and three years of experience in community work or community-centered activities in an area related to the duties described above; or equivalent education and/or experience.

Preferred Skills

• One year of experience with community, issues, labor, or political organizing.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a proven ability to engage people in conversation.
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English (Spanish is a plus).
• Ability to prioritize and effectively manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced work environment.
• Willingness to learn, be flexible, and adapt to work assignments in a variety of situations and problem-solve.

Schedule

• Monday – Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Tuesday - Saturday 10:30 AM – 6:30 PM

Additional Information

• As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website.
• New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County.