CIDNY:
The Center for Independence of the Disabled in New York (CIDNY) is the leading organization serving and representing people with disabilities in New York City. CIDNY’s mission is the removal of barriers to full integration of people with disabilities. CIDNY helps people with disabilities to gain the skills and obtain the services they need to live independently in the community and advocates for fair and effective policies that improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. CIDNY is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
General Description:
CIDNY is seeking a Housing Specialist for a new statewide initiative to assist individuals transitioning from institutional settings to the community. The Housing Specialist will be an expert resource to the Transition Team, assist with the process of housing placement, research, and collaborations to additional housing resources.
Reports to: Transition Coordinator and Director of Consumer Services
Duties and Responsibilities:
Locate and link resources of affordable, accessible and integrated housing for people previously residing in institutional settings.
Acts as a referral resource to housing subsidy and waiver programs.
Liaison with local environmental modification and assistive technology organizations and helps resolve housing accessibility issues that block choice of community based long term care.
Discuss and provide housing information for individuals and families who are considering, or are in the process of, transitioning.
Coordinate visits to institutions, provide potential participants with unbiased information regarding available home and community based services, assist with the discharge planning process, and coordinate with other relevant housing resources involved in the discharge and transition care of the consumer.
Collaborate with the Transition Team for person centered plans effective for the 90-day transition period, assist with securing qualified housing, and help to coordinate home and community services during the transition period, and subsequently ensure continuation of services after the 90-days is completed.
Collaborate with the Transition Coordinator to determine housing barriers to transition;
Ensures all significant client data and service provision details are current and accurate, and that they are documented in a timely manner into CIDNY’s and the contracted provider’s databases.
Attends Agency’s in-service training and unit meetings as well as any other agency-related activities.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Yes No X How many people? N/A
Qualifications:
Education and/or experience required:
Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Human Services or related field, and two years of relevant and related work experience with State and/or federal housing programs and other housing related issues.
· Preferred candidates should have a significant understanding of housing development, the public and private real estate industry, as well as Public Housing Authorities. In addition, candidates should have in depth knowledge of State and federal housing programs, familiarity with housing issues as they relate to persons with disabilities, and experience working with advocates and the ability to create and nurture working partnerships both internally and externally.
Skills, Licenses, and/or competencies required:
· Candidates should possess excellent written and oral communication, analytic, and research skills.
Individual must have time management skills to maintain individual/community outreaches, caseload, documentation and administrative requirements;
Ability to work well independently as well as part of a team;
Must be computer literate on basic Microsoft Programs and Internet search use;
Experience counseling individuals with disabilities preferred.
Bilingual skills a plus.
Respectful and comfortable with persons from different cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.
Competence in languages other than English preferred.
We conform to all laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action. We strongly encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply to all of our job openings. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, genetic information and testing, family and medical leave, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We prohibit retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint or otherwise oppose discrimination.
Please send a thoughtful cover letter and resume to Van Ly, Director of Consumer Services,vly@cidny.org. Do not send by fax.