Resident Engagement Specialist

About SHF: Founded in 1969, Settlement Housing Fund is a nonprofit affordable housing organization. We own and operate 3,147 affordable apartments across New York City and are currently creating and preserving additional 3,031 apartments. We provide social services through on-site support to ensure housing stability for tenants who have transitioned from shelters into permanent housing at our buildings and those of other owners. We serve as an HDFC nominee to provide private developers with access to City financing to expand the supply of affordable housing. We are a leader in tenant selection and affirmative fair housing, leasing hundreds of units annually for other affordable housing owners.

JOB SUMMARY: Reporting to the Senior Director of Social Services and Resident Engagement, the Resident Engagement Specialist of third party social services will work with a roster of tenants throughout NYC to address barriers related to housing stability and in direct support of our third party partners. In coordination with each household, the Resident Engagement Specialist will develop goals, provide advocacy, and problem solve issues that impact their leaseholder status. This is a contract position with the opportunity to be renewed every year based on performance and funding.

Job Duties include but not limited to:

• At least three days per week, meets with assigned households regularly in their home, in the community, and in the office to address challenges impacting their housing stability. Meetings could be more frequent dependent on the needs of the households.
• Ensure completion of ongoing timely case notes recording service delivery; including assessments, intakes, goals, referrals, etc.
• Identify service needs and appropriate intervention(s) to assist households with desired outcomes, including entitlements, arrears recovery/support, and other.
• Provide direct supportive advocacy, and/or outreach services.
• Provide social service referrals pertaining to medical, mental health, substance abuse and education/employment
• Serves as liaison with property management to address repairs, lease signing, etc. Advocates for and assists households in negotiating various systems to ensure receipt of entitlements and maintenance of permanent housing.
• Attends appointments as needed with families to ensure all issues are addressed.
• Participates in weekly staff meetings and client conferences as needed.
• Attend case meetings with supervisor to review case files as scheduled.
• Attend staff meetings as scheduled.
• Maintain complete, up to date, and accurate tenant records in company data management system.
• Ensure that department set deadlines, requirements, and expectations are met constantly.
• Perform other duties as reasonably requested.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

• 2 or more years’ experience working with families experiencing homelessness, or housing insecurity.
• Experience with general case management functions, assessment, and advocacy skills.
• Knowledge of various city social service agencies and community-based organizations related to housing and homelessness, highly preferred.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Ability to work successfully in a hybrid environment.
• Ability to travel to households within the NYC (New York City) area using public transportation
• Bilingual a plus but not a requirement.
• Ability to work Monday through Friday, consistent 8-hour shift, with an unpaid hour for lunch.
• Ability to relate to people of diverse backgrounds.
• Commitment to providing affordable housing for low-to-moderate income population.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

• The ability to sit, stand, walk and use hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and telephone to talk and hear.
• The ability to frequently sit and reach with hands and arms.
• The ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.

Working Conditions: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

• Must be able to utilize office equipment such as desktop/notebook computers, copiers, printers, scanners, telephones, and calculators.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

NOTICE: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of the environment and level of work being performed by this job. This job description in no way states or implies that the duties and responsibilities listed are the only tasks to be performed by the employee in this job. The employee will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor. This job description supersedes prior job descriptions. When duties and responsibilities change and develop, the job description will be reviewed and subject to changes in business necessity.

Settlement Housing Fund, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, and considers qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected factor under federal, state or local law.

This job description indicates in general the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities, and other essential functions expected of an employee. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of you as an employee. You may be asked to perform other duties as required.

• 4 weeks of vacation time annually for new employees
• 12 federally recognized holidays, plus a floating holiday
• A 35-hour work week
• Hybrid work model
• Medical, dental, and vision
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• Paid prenatal leave
• Summer Fridays
• Flexible spending account – pretax health and dependent care
• Company paid basic life insurance, AD&D and Long-term disability insurance
• Commuter benefits (transit & parking)
• Pet insurance
• Identity theft and legal insurance
• 403b – with company match and 100% vesting day 1
• Customizable supplemental insurance
• Mental health support
• Tuition reimbursement
• And more!

Bilingual in Spanish or other languages a plus (not a requirement)