Housing Specialist

Annual Starting Salary: $37,856 ($20.80 an hour)

35 Hour work week

Benefits:

• PTO – vacation (16-24 days a year based on longevity) Sick leave 12 days a year, and 13 paid holidays.
• Ability to work a 4-day schedule after 6 months on the job. Multiple work schedules available.
• Wellness program with the ability to earn an additional 3 PTO days a year.
• 401K with up to 10% employer investment.
• Heavily subsidized Health Insurance with co-pays.
• Vision and Dental insurance.
• Flexible Spending Accounts-Medical and Dependent Care.
• Monthly contribution towards dependent care. (to offset childcare costs)
• Company paid Life Insurance and Identity theft protection. (LifeLock)
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Family Medical Leave, Paid Family Leave, Military Leave, Bereavement Leave, Jury Duty Leave, Bone Marrow and Blood Donation Leave, Voting Time Leave, Election Leave, and Leaves for Crime Victims and Domestic Violence Victims.
• Employees may be eligible for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program to have student loans forgiven.
• Free covered parking.
• Additional benefits available.

Job Duties:

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Identify independent housing opportunities for unstably housed individuals who are either in an inpatient setting or unstably housed with the community.
• Assist eligible participants through all steps necessary for enrollment and admission, including acquiring eligibility documentation, filling out housing applications, obtaining household goods and/or support for moving expenses, and completion of unit inspection.
• Collaborate with applicants and/or their Transit Specialist, Service coordinator, Nursing home Discharge Planner, Care Manager, natural support, or advocate, to ensure a support plan is in place for program enrollment.
• Conduct follow up after subsidy is initiated, including but not limited to verifying occupancy of unit, continued eligibility for program, and assistance in completion of energy assistance applications.
• Maintain a list of available housing in the region. Work to identify landlords, public and private housing in the region, including degree of accessibility, location, proximity to services and rental costs.

Education:

• High School Diploma or equivalent required; college degree preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Nursing Home Transition and Diverse (NHTD)/Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Waivers, Office of People with Developmental Disability (OPWDD) system; various disabilities and how they impact individuals’ ability to function is strongly preferred.
• Entitlement programs, American with Disabilities Act (ADA), knowledge of issues faced by person of all ages who need long-term care services and commitment to person-centered planning and individual choice is preferred.
• Knowledge of Independent Living Philosophy.
• Strong advocacy, planning, community networking, innovation, collaboration, flexibility, organization, written and oral communication skills as well as basic responsiveness to working with a diverse population.
• Valid Driver’s license and dependable transportation are required.

Travel Required: Yes

Location: Utica, NY

RCIL is a civil rights organization that offers individuals with disabilities a wide range of independent living and advocacy services through the numerous programs we manage.

RCIL is an equal opportunity employer, and it is the policy of RCIL not to discriminate against any applicant for employment, or any employee because of age, color, sex, disability, national origin, race, religion, or veteran status.