What are the responsibilities and job description for the Tenant Advocate position at Catholic Charities Community Services?
Description
Location: 204 Hawthorne Avenue, Yonkers, NY, 10705
Summary: The Tenant Advocate is expected to possess considerable knowledge in housing court proceedings and landlord/tenant issues in general. The tenant advocate is expected to work closely with the helpline workers, case management and community partners to assist clients who are facing eviction. The Tenant Advocate will also assist in the administrative work which includes screening tenants for eligibility for agency services (internal and external), coordinating follow-up services including appointments, referrals, and assisting with client correspondence and accompaniment to court as necessary.
Salary: $30.22 - $32.96 per hour, this is a non-exempt hourly position based on a 35 hours work week or $55,000 - $60,000 annually.
Responsibilities:
- Works with the all the Yonkers office to assist clients with issues related to housing court and landlord/tenant law.
- Provides guidance and helps clients to navigate their case in Housing Court.
- Develop and maintain knowledge of Westchester services and programs to provide warm referrals to clients in need of services.
- Work collaboratively with the site helpline workers and case managers to provide services for clients facing eviction.
- Accompanied clients to Housing Court and advocate for tenants as the agency’s representative for the purpose of providing guidance and support to clients.
- Attends and participates in weekly supervision, monthly Department meetings, team meetings, community meetings, trainings, and other agency-related activity. Enter all client and case information in the data management system.
- Adhere to the Community Outreach Services procedures.
- Other duties as assigned.
Position Type and Expected Hours of Work:
This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday-Friday 9am – 5pm. Additional hours may be required to meet program deadlines, or client needs.
Working conditions and physical demands required:
The demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
- Remain in a stationary position at a workstation and use a computer approximately 90% of the time.
- Remain in a stationary position at a workstation for the purpose of responding to Helpline calls in real time.
- Frequently sit for extended periods.
- Pack and carry bags containing food pantry/grocery type items.
- Travel for staff meetings 10% of the time using reliable transportation, traversing streets, ascending/descending stairs, and exposed to outside weather conditions.
- Traverse neighborhoods that may require a high level of alertness and awareness of surroundings.
- Work with clients who require consistent and comprehensive support, some under potentially stressful conditions.
- May be deployed to other locations on an as needed basis.
Qualifications
Education and/or experience required:
- Bachelor’s degree and relevant experience in the field.
- Bilingual, English Spanish required.
Skills, Licenses, and/or competencies required:
- Knowledge of phone-based service delivery, social services systems, and local resources.
- Customer service skills
- Enthusiasm for working with people and excellent interpersonal skills.
- Awareness of challenges low-income individuals face and ability to offer compassionate, patient and professional response.
- Ability to multi-task and complete assignments that often occur in a fast paced and stressful environment.
- Computer and technology proficiency; WIFI access and an ability to successfully navigate remote technology (if needed).
- Excellent organizational, time-management and communication skills.
- The ability to work well independently and as part of a team.
Catholic Charities and Catholic Charities Community Services is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristics protected by law.
Salary : $55,000 - $60,000
