231 Benefits Specialist Case Manager jobs in New York

The Center for Urban Community Services, (CUCS), is an acclaimed human services organization and one of the nation's largest providers of housing and social services. CUCS is a leader in implementing new practices, sharing knowledge and assisting in shaping local, state and national strategies, so that persons who are homeless, low-income, living with mental illness, or have other special needs can live successfully in the community.

CUCS invites applications for a case management position at the Street Outreach Program. CUCS is the lead support agency in the Manhattan Outreach Consortium (MOC) that uses the Housing First model. MOC is a coalition of neighborhood-based organizations working together to permanently house homeless people living on Manhattan streets.

The Case Manager provides a full range of direct services to clients living on the streets and pursuing permanent housing. The Case Manager will work within an interdisciplinary team focusing on moving people off the streets of Upper Manhattan into permanent housing and successfully reintegrating into their communities. The Case Manager’s responsibilities will include outreach to clients living on the street as well assisting their caseload with obtaining permanent housing, helping clients live full and satisfying lives in the community, helping their team and program to function well and meeting their contractual obligations including achieving contracted housing placement goals, and striving as appropriate to their role, to fulfill the CUCS programs’ core purpose, core values and vision statements.

Success in this role requires strong relationship-building skills, sound judgment, effective crisis intervention, and a commitment to empowering clients through strengths-based, trauma-informed services.

Essential functions include, but are not limited to:

• Develop and maintain collaborative, professional relationships with clients while creating, implementing, and regularly updating individualized service plans that reflect each client's strengths, goals, and needs.
• Conduct ongoing assessments and monitor client progress, adjusting service plans as appropriate to support long-term stability and recovery.
• Coordinate comprehensive services and referrals to address housing, healthcare, behavioral health, substance use, employment, education, financial, and social service needs.
• Assist clients with obtaining and maintaining public benefits by completing applications, coordinating appointments, monitoring renewals, and advocating with federal, state, and local agencies.
• Support clients in securing and maintaining permanent housing, including housing searches, application completion, move-in coordination, landlord communication, annual recertifications, apartment inspections, and tenancy preservation.
• Provide crisis intervention, institutional visits, discharge planning, and coordination with hospitals, shelters, emergency responders, and other community providers.
• Deliver services both onsite and throughout the community, including home visits and accompanying clients to medical appointments, housing interviews, court appearances, benefits offices, schools, job interviews, and other essential appointments.
• Facilitate individual and group services, including recreational activities, psychoeducational groups, evidence-based interventions, and wellness programming.
• Support clients with activities of daily living, including personal care, housekeeping, laundry, hoarding mitigation, pest remediation, donation coordination, and maintaining safe living environments.
• Support new client admissions by assisting with orientation, distributing essential household items, processing belongings through the PackTite system, and assisting with bed bug remediation when necessary.
• Maintain timely, accurate, and comprehensive documentation, including progress notes, assessments, Individualized Living Plans (ILPs), benefit documentation, and other required records in accordance with agency, regulatory, and funder requirements.
• Maintain required monthly client contact standards and ensure all services are delivered in compliance with agency policies, licensing requirements, and contractual obligations.
• Protect client confidentiality and uphold all ethical, professional, and regulatory standards.
• Participate in required trainings, team meetings, supervision, and professional development activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Please note: Specific responsibilities may vary based on program assignment, funding requirements, and client population.

A valid drivers license is required.

Four 12am-5am shifts per year are required for quarterly counts.

Education & Experience

• Case Manager I: High School Diploma or equivalent and two (2) years of relevant work experience (Non-HASA funded sites only).
• Case Manager II: Bachelor's Degree; or High School Diploma or equivalent and four (4) years of relevant work experience.
• Case Manager III: Bachelor's Degree and two (2) years of relevant work experience; or BSW and one (1) year of relevant work experience; or High School Diploma or equivalent and six (6) years of relevant work experience.
• Case Manager IV: Bachelor's Degree and four (4) years of relevant work experience; or BSW and three (3) years of relevant work experience; or High School Diploma or equivalent and eight (8) years of relevant work experience.
• Case Manager V: Internal Only

Note: For applicants without a college degree, every 30 college credits earned may be substituted for one (1) year of relevant work experience. At HASA-funded sites, college credits may not be substituted unless the applicant has at least four (4) years of relevant work experience. Relevant experience must directly relate to the essential functions of this position.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to provide services to specialized populations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and general computer applications.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly, professionally, and effectively with diverse audiences.
• Excellent organizational, time management, collaboration, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Bilingual/multilingual language skills, as required or preferred by the assigned program.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time.
• Ability to walk, bend, reach overhead, grasp, push, pull, and perform routine physical movements.
• Ability to lift and move items weighing up to 30 pounds.
• Ability to walk up and down stairs (most agency locations are equipped with elevators).
• Ability to work primarily indoors in a standard office environment and operate standard office equipment. Some community-based programs may require working outdoors.
• Ability to read computer screens and written documents and accurately enter data into electronic systems.
• Ability to accompany clients using public transportation for extended periods.
• Ability to travel to various locations to provide client escort services.

Additional Requirements (as applicable to the position):

• Field-based position requiring travel throughout the five boroughs of New York City and, when necessary, locations outside of New York City.
• Valid driver's license with a satisfactory motor vehicle record (MVR).
• Ability to spend the full workday in the field.
• Ability to work in various weather conditions, including inclement weather.

Benefits We Offer:

• Annual Time Off Benefits: 17 days of PTO for new hires, 20 days of PTO after 1 yr of service, 27 days of PTO after 5 yrs of service, 10 Sick days, 3 personal days, 12 paid holidays
• Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental plans
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Pre-tax savings plan (including Flexible Spending Accounts and Commuter Benefit Plan)
• Transit Subsidy
• Paid Family Leave; Short-Term Disability insurance
• Health Savings account
• Life insurance
• Tuition reimbursement