ELIGIBILITY SPECIALIST

APPLICANTS MUST BE PERMANENT IN THE ELIGIBILITY SPECIALIST CIVIL SERVICE TITLE The Department of Social Services (DSS) is comprised of the administrative units of the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) and the Department of Homeless Services (DHS). HRA is dedicated to fighting poverty and income inequality by providing New Yorkers in need with essential benefits such as Food Assistance and Emergency Rental Assistance. DHS is committed to preventing and addressing homelessness in New York City by employing a variety of innovative strategies to help families and individuals successfully exit shelter and return to self-sufficiency as quickly as possible.

Domestic Violence Services (DVS) provides a variety of comprehensive immediate and long-term support services to survivors of Domestic Violence and their families. DVS provides oversight for the largest domestic shelter system in the country which provides safety and services for this vulnerable population. This network of more than 55 emergency domestic violence shelters provides temporary emergency housing, and supportive services to over 17,500 victims of domestic violence and their children annually.

DVS provides oversight and funding for the 24-hour domestic violence hotline. DVS also administers the No Violence Again (NOVA) program located at the DHS intake center and the Domestic Violence Liaison Unit, which provides domestic violence counseling and intervention at Job Centers. DVS partners with a network of community-based organizations, that provide counseling, legal services, financial development services, and job readiness for domestic violence survivors. In addition, DVS leads a nationally recognized domestic violence primary prevention effort, the Teen Relationship Abuse Prevention Program (RAPP).

Domestic Violence Services (DVS) is recruiting for five (5) Eligibility Specialist III, to function as Eligibility Specialists who will:

• Inform participants about time-limited benefits, and objectives of the program that are aimed at overcoming the barriers to employment and independent living.
• Conduct thorough interviews to determine continued financial eligibility and the issuance of accurate benefits per agency guidelines by clearly explaining all case actions to participants.
• Provide information about transitional benefits to encourage financial independence through employment.
• Identify and provide special emergency needs in a timely manner.
• Authorize statistical and financial changes in assistance and/or budgets resulting from valid information receive and prepare all required forms to effect processing.
• Maintain a caseload by managing time effectively including Face-to Face recertification interviews, participants’ appointment schedules, processing paperwork, training and meetings.
• Accurately complete Fair Hearing/Aid to Continue compliance and resolutions within prescribed deadlines.
• Complete agency forms to facilitate the appropriate issuance of benefits and participants notification.
• Make appropriate referrals and schedule appointments.

Hours/Shift: Monday – Friday: 9AM to 5PM Work Location(s): 109 E. 16th Street New York NY 1910-1919 Monterey Ave Bronx NY 495 Clermont Ave Brooklyn, NY 2322 3rd Ave New York NY

Minimum Qualifications

• Completion of 30 semester credits at an accredited college or university; or
• A four high school diploma or its educational equivalent and one year of full-time satisfactory experience in one or more of the following areas; performing the work described below: a. Interviewing, gathering information and/or preparing necessary documentation for the purpose of making recommendations concerning eligibility for public assistance or unemployment, health benefits, social security, insurance, or participation in social services or community programs, and other similar benefits; or b. Performing bookkeeping, bank teller duties, housing office teller duties, purchasing agent, assistant store manager, sales representative responsible for accounts, or customer service duties or a job in which the duties include helping customers with questions or concerns; or c. Dealing with social service agencies, legal representatives, or aiding individuals in navigating housing, social, financial or health problems or application systems; or
• A satisfactory combination of education and/or experience equivalent to "1" or "2" above. College education may be substituted for the experience in "2" above on the basis that 30 semester credits from an accredited college or university may be substituted for each year of required experience. However, all candidates must have at least a four year high school diploma or its educational equivalent. Special Note Work experience which provides only incidental opportunities to perform the job duties as described in "2a", "2b" and "2c" above are not acceptable for meeting the minimum qualification requirements.

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

Additional Information

In addition, the Human Resources Administration/Department of Social Services offers competitive salaries and the following benefits: Generous Pension Plans (The New York Employees' Retirement System); 401(k) and Roth 457 Retirement Savings Programs; U.S. Savings Bonds Flexible Spending Program; Health Benefits, Dental, Vision Coverage, Prescription Drug Program; Training and Professional Development; Opportunity for Scholarship; College Savings Program; Paid Holidays and Generous Annual Leave.