The Coalition for the Homeless (the “Coalition”) is the nation’s oldest advocacy and direct services organization helping unhoused individuals and families and those at risk of experiencing homelessness. The Coalition believes that affordable housing, sufficient food, and the chance to work for a living wage are fundamental rights in a civilized society. Since its inception in 1981, the Coalition has engaged in litigation, advocacy, public education, and direct services to ensure that these goals are realized.

Along with its aggressive and innovative large-scale advocacy on behalf of homeless individuals and families and its 11 programs serving over 3500 at-risk people every year, the Coalition is the plaintiff in the historic Callahan v. Carey case which established the legal Right to Shelter. In addition, the Coalition is the court-appointed independent monitor of NYC’s primary shelter system for single adults, and the NYC-appointed independent monitor of the primary shelter system for homeless families. On March 15, 2024, the Coalition and NYC entered into a settlement agreement in the Callahan case (“Settlement”) that, among other things, extends the Coalition’s monitoring role to sites serving single adult asylum seekers and other new arrivals who entered the country on or after March 15, 2022 (“New Arrivals”). Given this expanded role, the Coalition is seeking FOUR passionate, curious, and organized individuals to join the Advocacy Department immediately as New Arrivals Monitors.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The New Arrivals Monitoring Team’s primary duty is to conduct monitoring to ensure NYC’s compliance with its obligations under the Settlement. The New Arrivals Monitoring Team will visit New Arrivals shelters and drop-in centers throughout NYC in order to document violations and other problems. In addition, they will engage with New Arrivals for the purpose of providing referrals to Coalition programs and, as appropriate, communicating directly with the Coalition’s legal counsel and/or NYC staff to immediately resolve problems. The New Arrivals Monitoring Team will also help organize, support, and mobilize New Arrivals for advocacy campaigns and events.

NOTE: It is uncertain how long the temporary framework set forth in the Settlement for New Arrivals will be in effect. Nonetheless, the Coalition is planning to retain New Arrivals Monitors until at least September 30, 2026 and will modify job responsibilities as necessary should the temporary framework set forth in the Settlement end earlier.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Working under the direction of the New Arrivals Monitoring Team Supervisor (“Supervisor”) or designee, the New Arrivals Monitoring Team will:

Monitoring & Advocacy

• Conduct monitoring of New Arrivals shelters and drop-in centers to assess and document: (a) conditions; (b) compliance or lack thereof with the Settlement and other applicable court orders and regulations, and (c) the needs of New Arrivals

• Advocate for individual needs of New Arrivals to the extent possible during field visits

• Provide New Arrivals with information and referrals, as appropriate

• Document individual and systemic problems relating to the New Arrivals or for follow-up with the applicable NYC agency as directed

• Communicate with appropriate parties regarding compliance with the Settlement and follow up to ensure that issues raised are addressed

• Ensure all monitoring visits are accurately and timely entered into Coalition databases and other electronic tracking systems as directed

Community Engagement

• Organize New Arrivals for the purpose of NYC and State-level advocacy on a range of public policy issues that impact unhoused New Arrivals and unhoused individuals

• Together with the Advocacy staff, help develop and implement the Coalition’s organizing campaigns and public education work

Other Duties

• Work with Advocacy Department staff and the Coalition’s legal counsel to provide litigation support, which may include identifying and liaising with potential plaintiffs to enforce the Settlement or to otherwise defend and expand the rights of homeless individuals and families

• Conduct outreach to New Arrivals who have received a notice advising of any denial of shelter or reasonable accommodations, and connect them with the Coalition’s legal counsel for possible representation or assistance in appealing such determination

• Liaise with other departments and programs of the Coalition to provide resource materials and increase awareness about the work of the Advocacy Department and to include other staff in Advocacy campaigns and events

• Obtain regular supervision with the Supervisor or designee to review department operations, policies, and other issues/concerns

• Participate in weekly staff and other meetings as directed, such as in-service training and staff development and orientation activities

• Assist in the training and orientation of fellow members of the department, including, but not limited to, accompanying department staff on field visits and ensuring they understand the rights of New Arrivals; and

• Perform all other duties as may be assigned by the Supervisor or the Deputy Executive Director for Advocacy.

• GED/high school diploma and relevant work experience in social services required.

• College degree in social work, human services, or health discipline strongly preferred.

• Prior direct client services and case management experience, especially with homeless and/or low-income immigrant populations, strongly preferred.

• Strong written and oral communication skills required.

• Solid critical thinking and problem-solving skills required.

• Comfort with extensive travel throughout NYC required.

• Ability to engage in considerable walking, climbing stairs, and being on your feet for extended periods of time required.

• Flexibility and willingness to occasionally work outside of traditional business hours is required.

• Desire to work as part of a team required.

• Proficiency in English and at least one of the primary languages of the New Arrivals (which include Spanish, French, Wolof, and Pulaar) strongly preferred.

Salary range: $60,000-$65,000