Job Abstract

Who We Are: CAMBA is a community of staff, volunteers, clients, donors, neighbors and partners who work together to build an inclusive New York City. CAMBA serves more than 65,000 individuals and families each year, citywide, including almost 13,000 youth. Our 180+ programs in over 100 locations improve the lives of a diverse cross section of New Yorkers. From homelessness prevention in Staten Island to supportive housing in the Bronx; from employment training in Manhattan to after school programs and college access in Brooklyn; from family shelter and support in Queens to increasing affordable housing across the city, CAMBA provides holistic services to help struggling New Yorkers stabilize their lives and become self-sufficient.

Citywide Scattered Site Housing Program: Provides a total of 48 units of scattered site housing to chronically homeless individuals with serious and persistent mental illness (SPMI). The apartments are located throughout New York City. Case management staff focusses on removing barriers to maintain housing by ensuring that all clients’ basic needs are met and that clients are connected to needed services, such as mental health and substance abuse. The operations component focus on the housing units meeting habitability standards by working with landlords and management companies to address major repair issues and complete minor repairs, as well as identifying new units, negotiating leases, and making units ready when there is a vacancy.  Clients contribute 30% of their income towards their rent.

Position: Housing Specialist

Reports To: Operations Supervisor

Location: 220 West 167^th Street, Bronx, NY 10452

What The Housing Specialist Does:

• Identify suitable apartment for eligible clients.
• Obtain leases and other required documentation from landlord and prepares lease packages for processing.
• Submits new leases and/or lease renewal packages for review to Operation Supervisor/Senior Program Manager in a timely manner.
• Ensures that apartment units are ready prior to occupancy.
• Schedules and accompanies new clients and current clients, if needed, to apartment viewings.
• Set up utilities with electric and gas utility companies.
• Prepare and submit furniture request for new apartment set-up.
• Prepare new start-up supplies for new incoming clients.
• Schedule and participate in all clients move ins.
• Act as liaison between case managers, maintenance workers, and agency’s fiscal department to address various issues i.e., housing plans, maintenance work/repairs, fiscal issues.
• Submit program’s weekly vacancy report on a weekly basis.
• Keep track of expiration dates of leases.
• Process work orders as needed and reviews all signed work orders to ensure work has been done.
• Reviews all utility bills and submits to agency’s fiscal department on a weekly basis.
• Investigate clients’ complaints of unpaid utility bills with agency’s fiscal department, case conference with case manager and client if necessary.
• Conduct program required unit inspections as required by funding source.
• Maintain accurate records (i.e., furniture, maintenance supplies, food, office stock) on premises and/or in community-based apartments.
• Input all provided client related services into program’s assigned database- i.e. Client Track, CAPS, etc.
• Request Emergency Assistance to assist clients in paying clients’ portion of utility bills, if needed.
• Respond immediately to emergencies and inform supervisor.
• Participate in administrative and staff meetings as requested.
• Provide all required information for weekly/monthly/quarterly/annual reports to CAMBA management and/or to funders.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education/Experience Required:

• Sufficient education and technical expertise: to comprehend written and oral instructions (work orders); basic math to accomplish maintenance tasks; and to document accomplished tasks.

Other Requirements:

• Two (2) years of relevant experience, preferably in a mid-sized (250+ employees) organization working with persons with a histories of homelessness, mental illness, and/or substance abuse.
• Good written & verbal communication.
• Computer literacy in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Bi-lingual English and Spanish.

Compensation: $48,000-$50,000 annually-
When salary ranges are listed, the range would represent the low and high end for the applicable position & program. The salary offered would be based on various factors unique to each program and candidate. This includes but is not limited to experience, education, budget and/or program size, internal equity, skills and other factors that may be required for the position and organization.

Status: -Full-time (35 hours per week)
Benefits: CAMBA offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, dental insurance, 403(b) retirement plan with employer match, paid time off (vacation, personal, and sick time), and paid holidays.

CAMBA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value a diverse workforce and inclusive workplace. People of color, people with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people are encouraged to apply. We consider all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, socio-economic status, marital or veteran status, pregnancy status or sexual orientation.