YOU MUST BE PERMANENT IN THE BENEFITS OPPORTUNITY SPECIALIST (BOS) TITLE FOR AT LEAST ONE YEAR OR PERMANENT IN THE ASSOCIATE BENEFITS OPPORTUNITY SPECIALIST (ABOS) TITLE. THIS IS A PROVISIONAL APPOINTMENT, WHEN A TEST BECOMES AVAILABLE IN THE (ABOS) TITLE, YOU MUST TAKE AND PASS THE EXAM TO REMAIN IN THE ABOS TITLE.
The Human Resources Administration (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. As the largest local social services agency in the country, HRA helps more than three million New Yorkers annually through the administration of more than 15 major public assistance programs.
Housing Services Administration is a division of New York City’s Department of Social Services that oversees housing stability and rehousing efforts. HSA administers rental assistance, housing supply, and placement programs to help individuals and families exit shelter, prevent homelessness, and secure safe, affordable housing across the city.
Under direction of the Associate Benefits Opportunity Specialist II, the Associate Benefits Opportunity Specialist I (ABOS I) is responsible for supervising a team of BOS staff, who review eligibility for and recommends approval/renewal of CityFHEPS subsidies for program participants.
The Human Resources Administration (HRA) is recruiting for four (4) Associate Benefits Opportunity Specialist I's to function as Rental Assistance Program (RAP) Supervisors, who will:
- Supervise Benefits Opportunity Specialists who verify eligibility for tenant or landlord for Rental Assistance Unit Subsidy Programs.
- Be responsible for issuance of check requests for brokers and landlord payments for Rental Assistance Subsidy Programs.
- Approve lease signings with tenant and landlords for their new residency which involves providing keys and signed leases. Troubleshoot issues made by tenants, landlord, lawyer, advocate, legal aid via a review conference to achieve resolutions.
- Ensure that Rental Assistance Unit Subsidy Program payments to landlords and brokers go out in a timely manner and oversees the annual renewal of Rental Assistance Program subsidies.
- Review the data entries of tenant information for federal funds into federal databases; utilize other databases such as but not limited to Housing Assistance Payment Systems (HAPS), Rental Assistance Program (RAP), HRA One Viewer, WMS, NYCWAY, Finance.net, IQ System, SAVE.
- Recommend new subsidy certificates for tenants who wish to submit a transfer request via email for reasons such as issues with landlord, inhabitable apartments, etc.
- Address requests for information and services from Rental Assistance Program landlords, tenants, and community advocates.
Hours/Schedule: Monday- Friday 9am -5pm
ASSOCIATE BENEFITS OPPORTUNITY - 56316
1. A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent, and three years of
full-time satisfactory experience working directly in social/human services or a
related setting, providing either:
a) client services.
b) employment planning/counseling services which involves job development,
skills assessment, and employment placement or other economic
opportunity programming.
2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college; plus eighteen months of full
time satisfactory experience working as a Benefits Opportunity Specialist; or
3. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college; plus eighteen months of full
time satisfactory experience as described in one (1) above.
4. College credit from an accredited college may be substituted for this experience
on the basis of 60 semester credits for 9 months of the work experience described
above. However, all candidates must have at least 18 months of full-time
satisfactory experience working as a Benefits Opportunity Specialist or performing
social/human services work as described in one (1) above.
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.