Job Description APPLICANT MUST BE PERMANENT IN THE ASSOCIATE BENEFITS OPPORTUNITY SPECIALIST TITLE. 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 / HHSI Rental Assistance Unit (RAU) assists in the prevention of homelessness and provides grants under certain conditions to New Yorkers facing housing emergencies, to prevent evictions. Payments are generally made for rent arrears or new apartment expenses and may also be made for mortgage and property tax arrears. RAU may also authorize other expenses related to the emergency, such as moving costs. RAU’s overall goals are to prevent evictions, and to help applicants/participants remain in their homes. HPA/ Rental Assistance / Housing Court Unit (HCU) is recruiting for two (2) Associate Job Specialist 02 to function as a Housing Court Specialist, who will: - Review and authorize contracted Advocates, and Legal provider’s requests for payment of services provided for representing participants facing eviction for non-payment of rent (to include clients/tenants in receipt of FHEPS, CityFHEPS) related matters; review and assess requests for emergency rental assistance received from Benefit Access Centers (BAC). - Review the legal provider’s submission and authorize payment of arrears (rent, mortgage, taxes) conduct interviews with family heads to determine the need for emergency rent deposits and verify the information utilizing various databases. - Work closely with attorneys representing both landlords and tenants, as well as with Housing Court judges, to facilitate, expedite, and negotiate the best course of action to prevent evictions; and consult with HRA Office of Legal Affairs. - Process requests for authorization of payment of rent arrears to prevent participant’s eviction as well as intervene in emergency cases to prevent evictions. - Maintain chronological logs of activities in order to record case disposition. - Complete reports ASSOCIATE BENEFITS OPPORTUNITY - 56316 Qualifications 1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college; or 2. A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent, and two years of full time satisfactory experience in social/human services, call centers, customer service or a related setting performing the following: a) Interviewing, determining eligibility for, and/or providing client benefits and services; or b) Interviewing, determining eligibility for, and/or providing employment planning and counseling services including job development, skill assessment, and employment placement or other economic opportunity programming. c) College credit from an accredited college may be substituted for this experience, on the basis pf 30 semester credits for 6 months of work experience. Additional Information The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy. Salary Min: $ 70,646.00 Salary Max: $ 81,243.00