Tenant Support Services Specialist

We are looking for a Tenant Support Service Specialist to join our team1

Position Overview

Under the supervision of the Director of Social Services, the Tenant Support Services Specialist will work primarily in buildings in The Bronx and Brooklyn to support formerly homeless and current tenants and their families to successfully transition to and thrive in their apartments and community.

Support Services include assisting tenants with the following:

• Transition from shelter
• Apartment set up (utilities, furniture, locating community resources)
• Assessing tenants' needs and service planning on a voluntary basis
• Advise tenant about building policies and procedures
• Follow up with tenants about managing rent payments, obtaining subsidies, and avoiding and/or addressing arrears and defaults
• Assist tenant with completing recertification subsidy paperwork
• Assist tenant with applying for and maintaining benefits
• Assist with setting up referrals for a full range of social, health, legal, and other services for tenant and their family and following up to ensure attendance and compliance.
• Conduct “offline” follow up
• Work with tenant and landlord to facilitate the completion of repairs
• Work with tenants to complete surveys to assess interest in various activities and workshops
• Coordinate building social and community building events
• Coordinate workshops for tenants based on need and interest
• Provide “warmline” remote and in-person office hours
• Maintain documentation of all activities and services and communicate outstanding issues to both the landlord and NIDC in a timely fashion.

Skills and Characteristics

• Strong case management skills
• Experience working with formerly homeless tenants and their families
• Knowledge of NYC & NYS benefits and entitlements systems
• Experience facilitating social activities
• Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development and a “Growth Mindset”
• Detail-oriented, highly organized, and able to prioritize multiple tasks
• Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as a member of a team
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Highly motivated and self-directed; capable of seeing projects through from beginning to end
• Strong work ethic and “roll-up-my-sleeves” attitude
• Results-oriented individual
• Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Office/365, especially Outlook, Word, and Excel
• Must have a good sense of humor

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate degree in a relevant field (Bachelor’s preferred)
• 3 years of relevant experience
• Must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or willing to be vaccinated
• Spanish-speaking required

Additional Notes

• Occasional evenings and weekends are required.

Neighborhood Initiative Development Corp. is an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. Neighborhood Initiative Development Corp. makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.