Disability Benefits Specialist

Denver, CO (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=2877+Lawrence+Denver+CO+USA+80205)

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Job Type

Full-time

Description

What Makes VOA Special

Volunteers of America Colorado believes unique challenges require unique and thoughtful solutions. VOA creates specialized programs to meet the critical needs of the communities we serve—our programs across Colorado look different because each community is distinct. We support Denver’s homeless veterans who have been underserved, and prepare preschoolers challenged by poverty to be successful in elementary school and beyond. Wherever we go we engage faith, relationship-building, and volunteers to lift up and support Colorado’s most vulnerable citizens.

Veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.

Job Summary

The Disability Benefits Specialist is responsible for assessing the needs of homeless participants referred to the COR3 Program, coordinating and implementing a benefits acquisition/expansion plan (both public and VA-specific), developing extensive relationships with local area benefits acquisition/expansion resources, and providing coordinated services to program participants in support of housing stability. Works closely with the program funder, COR3 service providers, and other human service programs. The position requires ongoing interaction with COR3 program participants and their associated households, COR3 staff, government agencies, community service providers, legal services teams, staff, volunteers, and others in the community. Required to have specialized knowledge in the areas of public benefits acquisition, expansion, and maintenance. Job duties also include duties associate with acting as Housing Administrator (including Housing Quality Standards inspection/HQS certification), as needed for Denver Metro state housing vouchers awarded to the COR3 grant, conducting needs-based and program eligibility assessments, engaging in community outreach, providing case management services, and program-wide service coordination. The Disability Benefits Specialist is charged with making demonstrable progress towards obtaining and applying knowledge and experience in field-relevant best practices and standards

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop a benefits acquisition/expansion plan in conjunction with the client household, the team, and other community service providers, in support of housing stability goals.

• Implement the benefits acquisition plan, providing individual and group services and assistance as indicated by the client household’s needs.

• Work closely with the funder and other programs to access participant specific benefits and resources, including Division of Housing (DOH) voucher programming.

• Locate and develop Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with community agencies providing benefits acquisition/expansion services and provide referral of Participants and family members.

• Connect program participants to Medicaid and other behavioral and physical healthcare benefits.

• Responsible for identifying and serving the unique needs of participant households participating in Volunteers of America programs; uses screening and assessment tools to ensure completion of needs-based screenings. Document assessments and collect other needed information.

• Within program guidelines, locate and facilitate referrals for individuals to appropriate benefits resources.

• Provide client households information on specific services and /or program providers, giving several options whenever possible. Follow-up to assure appropriateness and satisfaction with the services.

• Responsible for understanding and implementing the assigned program according to program funder and Volunteers of America standards and expectations.

• Provides group educational and other activities for current or prospective program clients as assigned.

• Supports team members by serving as a resource for analyzing and solving problems and staying abreast of current issues and theories within the field.

• Attends orientations, trainings, education programs, staff meetings, community meetings, conferences, and workshops as requested and applicable to meet the needs of the position.

• May provide training and mentorship to team members and community stakeholders regarding best practices in relevant service models and practices.

• Promptly and clearly documents all client interactions along with required eligibility and demographic information using designated data bases.

• Performs duties in a professional manner by maintaining the confidentially of all information and by participating effectively within and across teams.

• Participates in professional development activities to promote the development of knowledge and experience in field-relevant best practices and standards and makes demonstrable progress towards working in accordance with these practices and standards.

• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Competencies

• Models core culture attributes of VOACO that include “AIRS” (Accountability, Integrity, Respect and Service).

• Models and VOACO’s three strategical critical virtues of HHS (Hungry, Humble, People Smart).

Supervisory Responsibilities

• N/A

Minimum Qualifications of Position

• Bachelor’s degree in human services, social work, or a closely related field or related experience.

• SOAR (SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery) Certification or ability to gain SOAR Certification

• One year of direct experience in the provision of human services.

• Must possess a Colorado driver’s license and state-mandated automobile insurance.

• Must possess a personal vehicle that may be used for work-related travel (reimbursement for mileage is available).

• Must complete agency and program credentialing within 12 weeks of hire and maintain credentialing standards thereafter.

Preferred Qualifications of Position

• Experience with public benefits and voucher administration and implementation

• Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge and skill in the application of Harm Reduction, Critical Time Intervention, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma Informed Care, and Housing First Principles.

• Ability to respectfully and professionally serve individuals hailing from diverse backgrounds, cultures, ideologies, and religions.

• Ability to work and thrive within a diverse, multicultural team environment.

• Ability to take initiative and work independently.

• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

• Ability to apply appropriate self-care in the face of often difficult and/or traumatic situations which commonly present while working with persons in need of services.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

• Travel throughout the program’s service area is required on a regular basis.

• Must be able to work in diverse environments such as homeless shelters, service facilities, streets, offices, and all other locations as necessary to fulfill program objectives.

• Bending, Climbing, Stooping, Kneeling, Reaching, Crouching, Squatting, Lifting (30 to 50 pounds) Balancing, Standing, Sitting, Hand/Foot motions, Walking, Seeing (Close and distant vision, Detect, Determine, Perceive, Identify, Recognize, Judge, Observe, Inspect, Assess, Estimate), Depth Perception, Hearing/Listening, Speaking/Shouting (Communicate, Discern, Convey, Express, Exchange), Use of Hands/Fingers (Grasping, Holding, Touching), Thinking, Calculating, Memory/Recall, Exposure to Indoor and Outdoor environments

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

• Full-Time

• Work hours may vary but comprise a 40-hour workweek with occasional overtime requirements.

Salary Range Per Hour

• $21.00 - $23.00

Benefits (Eligible is based on job type/status)

• Vacation Time/Separate Sick Time

• Paid Holidays/Floating Holidays/Personal Days

• Volunteer/Wellness Day

• Health, Dental, Vision, Pet Insurance

• Tuition Assistance

• Pension Plan

• 403b Retirement Plan with Agency Match

• Life Insurance/Accident Insurance

• Employee Assistance/Work Life Balance Program/Employee Discount Program

• LifeLock with Norton

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness

• Fully Company Paid Unlimited Mental Health Benefits for Employees on the VOAC Health Plan

Location

• Program service areas vary. Travel required throughout the 7-country Denver Metro area, as well as other COR3 field offices throughout the State of Colorado.

Volunteers of America is an EEO/AA Employer

Position will Remain Open Until Filled

Salary Description

21.00-23.00/hr