What are the responsibilities and job description for the Independent Living Specialist position at BrookGate?
Independent Living Specialist
Location: New York, NY
Position Summary
The Independent Living Specialist provides comprehensive case management and independent living skills support to adults experiencing homelessness and serious mental illness in an affordable housing/shelter setting. This role helps residents build the skills and stability needed to live as independently as possible, through benefits assistance, referrals, advocacy, and ongoing coaching in daily living and tenancy skills.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide comprehensive case management to a caseload of mentally ill, homeless adults, including intake, assessment, individualized service planning, and regular follow-up.
- Assist residents with obtaining and maintaining public benefits (e.g., Medicaid, SNAP, SSI/SSDI), completing applications, and gathering required documentation.
- Coordinate referrals for medical, mental health, substance use, and other treatment services; monitor engagement and follow through as part of each resident’s service plan.
- Teach and reinforce independent living skills such as hygiene, medication adherence, budgeting, housekeeping, meal preparation, appointment-keeping, and appropriate use of community resources.
- Escort and advocate for residents at entitlement, housing, and service appointments, supporting them in navigating systems and understanding their rights and responsibilities.
- Provide housing search and placement assistance, including completing housing applications, preparing for interviews, and supporting move-in and tenancy stabilization.
- Facilitate weekly psychoeducational and/or skills groups focused on wellness, coping skills, community living, and recovery.
- Maintain timely, accurate progress notes, group notes, and monthly statistical reports in accordance with program, agency, and NYC/NY State guidelines.
- Participate in clinical team meetings, case conferences, supervision, and interdisciplinary staff meetings to coordinate care and address barriers to independent living.
- Provide emergency first aid/CPR assistance when needed and follow agency safety and crisis protocols.
- Perform other related duties as assigned by program leadership.
Qualifications (New York State)
- Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, human services, rehabilitation, or a related field preferred; equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
- At least 1–2 years of experience working with homeless and/or psychiatrically disabled adults in shelters, supportive housing, or community-based mental health settings in New York.
- Knowledge of New York City and New York State housing resources, entitlements, and service systems (e.g., HRA, SSA, Medicaid, OMH, local housing authorities).
- Strong skills in engagement, motivational interviewing, crisis intervention, and de‑escalation, with a recovery- and trauma‑informed approach.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including ability to document services clearly and professionally in electronic or paper records.
- Ability to work collaboratively on an interdisciplinary team and to manage a challenging caseload with strong organizational and time‑management skills.
- Current First Aid and CPR certification, or willingness to obtain shortly after hire.
- Valid driver’s license may be preferred or required depending on program needs.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $20.00 - $23.00 per hour
Expected hours: 40 per week
Work Location: In person
Salary : $20 - $23