Housing Court Answers seeks a Spanish speaking, part-time assistant for its Rental Arrears Hotline. HCA, an independent nonprofit, provides information to unrepresented people in Housing Court from information tables in all five boroughs and a hotline.
The Hotline and Housing Assistant’s responsibilities include providing information about Housing Court and court procedures, referrals for legal assistance, rental arrears help, and social services or organizing. Ability to speak and write English and Spanish is necessary. The salary is currently $24,342 with benefits including single health coverage, subject to ongoing collective bargaining process. The position is 23 hours per week including three full days from 9-5. The hotline is run from our main office in lower Manhattan. The assistant will also work in the courts as needed.
To apply
Email cover letter and resume to info@hcanswers.org with Hotline Coordinator in the subject line.
Responsibilities
- Answer calls on our busy hotline
- Provide rent arrears and eviction prevention referrals
- Explain public benefits qualifications, application process, and maintenance
- Answer questions about Housing Court, housing laws, and tenants rights and responsibilities
- Explain housing court procedures for tenants and landlords
- Update a resource list of organizations including charities, community groups, non-profit housing organizations, legal service providers and others.
- Identify systemic issues which might be addressed through advocacy or litigation
- Develop and update information sheets and training materials on public benefits and getting assistance from charities and HRA
- Educate coworkers on hotline protocols
- Prepare and present trainings for advocates on eviction prevention, public benefits and Housing Court issues
- Assist on advocacy campaigns aimed at improving the lives of hotline callers and people in Housing Court without attorneys
- Assist on lobbying campaigns
Position Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree preferred
- Commitment to social justice
- Ability to work with the public in a stressful and/or chaotic setting
- Knowledge of housing, tenants’ rights, and rent regulation
- Strong verbal and written communication skills in English and Spanish
- Strong computer skills especially google drive, microsoft office including publisher and access
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively
- Experience with Housing Court, housing laws, and public benefits
- We will only consider applicants that speak Spanish
