Tenant Support Specialist

Position Overview

Under the supervision of the Director of Social Services, the Tenant Support Specialist (TSS) will work primarily in buildings in Brooklyn, possibly the Bronx, to support tenants and their families to successfully transition into their apartment(s) and community. This position includes individual case assistance and facilitation of building engagement activities. The TSS will also assist newly formerly homeless tenants and their families in successfully transitioning from the shelter to their new community.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Support Services include assisting tenants with the following:

• Assist tenants with applying for and securing a full range of services, entitlements and benefits
• Work with tenants to complete surveys to assess interest in various activities and workshops
• Coordinate building social and community building events and workshops based on need and interest
• Follow up with tenants about managing rent payments, recertification, obtaining subsidies, and avoiding and/or addressing arrears and defaults
• Work with tenants and landlords to facilitate the completion of repairs
• Assist with all aspects of transition from shelter, including:
• • Apartment set up (utilities, furniture, locating community resources)
  • Assessing tenants' needs and service planning on a voluntary basis
  • Advise tenants about building policies and procedures
• 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
• Strong 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)
• 2-3 years of relevant experience
• Must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or willing to be vaccinated
• Spanish-speaking required

Additional Notes

• Regular early evenings and occasional weekends are required.
• Travel is 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.

We provide a broad range of youth development and family support services, including after-school programs for students in grades K-12, summer camp, a nightly teen center, and support for older youth and adults. As a staple in the community, NIDC works with tenants, landlords, precincts, schools, health centers, merchants, and elected officials to address a wide variety of issues facing the Bronx, including economic development and revitalization.