Job Description

IF YOU ARE HIRED PROVISIONALLY IN THIS TITLE, YOU MUST TAKE AND PASS THE CIVIL SERVICE EXAM, WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE, TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT.

The Homelessness Prevention Administration (HPA) works to keep New Yorkers in their homes. HPA works with the Department of Homeless Services (DHS), the NYC Housing Authority (NYCHA) and many other organizations and City agencies to assist families and individuals in need in obtaining and maintaining stable, affordable housing.

HPA/Landlord Ombudsman Services Unit (LOSU) is recruiting for three (3) Eligibility Specialist III, to function as Ombudsman Workers, who will:


- Receive and review returned checks following Agency guidelines and procedures to determine reason for the return/review and process housing packets from Department of Homeless Services (DHS); Office of Supportive Housing; VET Initiatives; Community Based Organizations; etc., in order to assist individuals/families to exit shelter into permanent housing.

- Utilize various computerized systems (i.e., WMS, POS, ACCRIS) to verify landlord information.

- Provide participant with appropriate information needed to initiate corrective action concerning landlord negligence.

- Receive, assess, verify, and review landlord’s complaints/correspondences and alert FIA Benefit Access Centers (BAC) via email on corrective measures needed to resolve issue(s) between landlords and tenants.

- Process housing grants on behalf of shelter residents moving into permanent housing via Paperless Alternate Module (PAM)

- Review case actions processed within the unit in Welfare Management System (WMS), to ensure housing grants and eligibility transactions processed successfully.

- Index housing packets into the HRA One Viewer, to document actions taken on cases, in order to keep HRA/FIA partners abreast of cases actions taken within the unit and for auditing purposes.

- Reissue cancelled checks initially processed by the unit via Paperless Office System (POS) and Paperless Alternate Module (PAM).

- Write case progress report on each complaint via computer and or case file.

- Perform other related duties.


Hours:
10 am- 6 pm

Work Location: 1
109 E 16Th St., N.Y. Division/Work Unit Housing-Homeless SV/INIT NM

Qualifications

1. Completion of 30 semester credits at an accredited college or university; or
2. A four high school diploma or its educational equivalent and one year of full-time satisfactory experience in one or more of the following areas; performing the work described below:
a. Interviewing, gathering information and/or preparing necessary documentation for the purpose of making recommendations concerning eligibility for public assistance or unemployment, health benefits, social security, insurance, or participation in social services or community programs, and other similar benefits; or
b. Performing bookkeeping, bank teller duties, housing office teller duties, purchasing agent, assistant store manager, sales representative responsible for accounts, or customer service duties or a job in which the duties include helping customers with questions or concerns; or
c. Dealing with social service agencies, legal representatives, or aiding individuals in navigating housing, social, financial or health problems or application systems; or
3. A satisfactory combination of education and/or experience equivalent to "1" or "2" above. College education may be substituted for the experience in "2" above on the basis that 30 semester credits from an accredited college or university may be substituted for each year of required experience. However, all candidates must have at least a four year high school diploma or its educational equivalent.
Special Note
Work experience which provides only incidental opportunities to perform the job duties as described in "2a", "2b" and "2c" above are not acceptable for meeting the minimum qualification requirements.