Referral Specialist

ONLY PERMANENT EMPLOYEES IN THE TITLE AND THOSE THAT ARE REACHABLE ON THE CLERICAL ASSOCIATE CIVIL SERVICE LIST ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY.

Division/Program Summary: The Bureau of Early Intervention is a comprehensive interagency program that supports infants and children with developmental delays in their efforts to realize their full potential. It reduces the likelihood of delays among at-risk children, assists and empowers families to meet their child's and their own needs, and entitles children, regardless of race, ethnicity or income, to services through the program.

The Bureau of Early Intervention oversees provision of therapeutic services to 30,000 children ages birth to 3 years each year.

At the borough level, contracted service agencies are monitored by the Regional Office.

Position Summary: Reporting to the Referral Unit Supervisor the Referral Specialist will be part of a Centralized Referral Unit, facilitating the intake of referrals by phone and fax, assigning providers and monitor acceptance. Monitor timelines, create parent welcome letters and electronic case files, and attach relevant documents.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Process Early Intervention Program referrals received via the Centralized Call Center or fax-to-email line.
• Enter referrals into an Electronic Case Management system, assign case workers, and ensure that case worker assignments are accepted.
• Follow procedures to ensure the accuracy of information entered into the system, and to avoid creating duplicate records and create electronic child case records.
• Use Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel etc.) to complete tasks and prepare emails for distribution.
• Provide clerical assistance to facilitate projects or assignments for EIP.
• Perform any other clerical/office duties, as required, and complete any other tasks as assigned by management.

Why you should work for us:

• Benefits: City employees are entitled to unmatched benefits such as: o a premium-free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10K annually, per a 2024 assessment.

o additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position’s associated union/benefit fund.

o a public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement. o a tax-deferred savings program and o a robust Worksite Wellness Program that offers resources and opportunities to keep you healthy while serving New Yorkers.

• Work From Home Policy: Depending on your position, you may be able to work up to two days during the week from home.
• Job Security - you could enjoy more job security compared to private sector employment and be able to contribute to making NYC a healthy place to live and work.

Established in 1805, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department) is the oldest and largest health department in the U.S., dedicated to protecting and improving the health of NYC. Our mission is to safeguard the health of every resident and cultivate a city where everyone, regardless of age, background, or location, can achieve their optimal health. We provide a wide array of programs and services focused on food and nutrition, anti-tobacco support, chronic disease prevention, HIV/AIDS treatment, family and child health, environmental health, mental health, and social justice initiatives. As the primary population health strategist and policy authority for NYC, with a rich history of public health initiatives and scientific advancements, from addressing the 1822 yellow fever outbreak to the COVID-19 pandemic, we serve as a global leader in public health innovation and expertise.

Come join us and help to continue our efforts in making a difference in the lives of all New Yorkers! Commitment to Equity: The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

The NYC Health Department is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation to all individuals. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact Sye-Eun Ahn, Director of the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, at sahn1@health.nyc.gov or 347-396-6549.

Minimum Qualifications

Qualification Requirements A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent approved by a State's department of education or a recognized accrediting organization and one year of satisfactory clerical experience.

Skills Requirement Keyboard familiarity with the ability to type at a minimum of 100 key strokes (20 words) per minute.

Preferred Skills

• Ability to monitor timelines and work under pressure to meet deadlines
• Attention to detail
• Excellent computer skills and experience with Microsoft Office
• Excellent phone etiquette and customer service skills
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Flexibility in providing other types of clerical/office assistance when needed
• Bilingual Spanish is a plus

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.