Job Description

JOB SUMMARY

The Benefits Specialist works as a team member with several social service professional and paraprofessional staff ensuring the delivery of quality care in accordance to the rules and regulations established as well as adhering to the mission of St. Joseph Center. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Benefits Specialist’s key areas of responsibility include: 

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

• Support clients throughout their benefits enrollment process.  Support includes listening, encouraging, coaching, empowering, and connecting clients to benefit resources that meet their individual needs and eligibility requirements.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Responsible for benefits services provided to clients, linkage to benefits and other community resources, follow-up of services, and monitoring progress.
• Conducts initial screenings to determine eligibility, schedules appointments, and provides assistance to clients to complete benefits enrollment.
• Prepares an initial financial budget and income sustainability plan on each client enrolled and updates budget every 30 days or as needed until client discharges from program. 
• Determines appropriateness of referral and client eligibility to benefit from community/mainstream resources.
• Coaches clients about benefits options.
• Transports clients to appointments in agency vehicle.
• Identifies and utilizes community resources to meet client needs.
• Coordinates, advocates on clients’ behalf, and follows up with the Social Security Administration, Veterans Administration, State Welfare programs, etc. to assist with securing mainstream benefits.
• Coordinates with case management to document services and establish organized program file structure, client database, and assessment process for income and benefits services. 
• Maintains cooperative and collaborative working relationships with staff of community agencies to obtain resources for clients.
• Facilitates classes/groups on budgeting, benefits resources, etc.
• Participates and attends on-off site staff and community meetings.
• Relies on experience and judgement to plan and accomplish goals.
• May work independently on certain tasks while under the general supervision of the Program Manager.

Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned. The duties and responsibilities listed are designed to provide typical examples of the work performed; not all duties and responsibilities assigned are included here, nor is it expected that all similar positions will be assigned every duty and responsibility.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Must be highly motivated and a self-starter.  The ability to communicate with and relate to a diverse group of people including clients, community, and other staff.  Must have excellent organizational skills and the capability to work in a fast paced, team based environment.   
• Knowledge and familiarity of benefit enrollment process (both VA and civilian benefits preferred).
• Ability to maintain a professional partnership with other community organizations.
• Bilingual Spanish/English candidates strongly preferred, but not required.

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of one year experience providing social services/case management to highly vulnerable populations.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in social work, psychology, counseling, human services or a related field; a combination of education and experience may be substituted.
• Training and certification in (SOAR) SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery preferred, or must be able to complete training within 30 days of hire.

DIRECT REPORTS:

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities. 

COMPUTER SKILLS:

• Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Ability to use widely supported internet browsers.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS:

• Valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.
• Valid automobile liability insurance.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

• This position is field based which means that clients can be seen in the office as well as the field. The geographical area we serve is Service Area 5.

Additional Information

Status: Full-Time/Non-Exempt

Salary: DOE

Employment with St. Joseph Center is contingent on completion of satisfactory background check.

For consideration, please submit cover letter and resume. St. Joseph Center is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. All applicants for employment are invited to voluntarily self-identify their gender, race, ethnicity, and veteran status, by completing the EEO Information. Providing your EEO Information is voluntary and refusal to self-identify will not subject applicants to any adverse treatment. Similarly, applicants who do self-identify will not be subject to any adverse treatment based on the information they provide.

St. Joseph center invites you to review the current "EEO is The Law" poster as part of the application process. A link to the current poster is located here.

Veteran Friendly Employer

 https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf