Job Opening: Benefits Connection Specialist

Position Title: Benefits Connection Specialist
Submit resume by Friday, July 9 
Reports to: Benefits Connection Manager

Position Summary: Administers assistance to people at a variety of convenient locations and provides user-friendly advice and electronic, on-line benefit application aid. Provides guidance through understanding benefits as well as acts as a liaison for future client follow up and communication. Maintains an up-to-date knowledge and understanding of policy issues related to a broad range of human services, including Food Stamps, EITC, KidCare, WIC and Medicaid.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Provide detailed explanation of benefits.
2. Assist those eligible with online applications for:

a. Food Stamps
b. KidCare
c. Medicaid

3. Perform as liaison for future client follow up and communication.
4. Outreach to working poor, families and seniors as well as Hispanic and immigrant populations.
5. Ongoing monitoring of Federal and State policy to ensure barriers and/or opportunities are being communicated to the Manager.
6. Maintain and update records and reports for all applications produced.
7. Proper communication with such partners as ACCESS Florida and the Department of Children and Families (DCF).

Job Specifications
1. High School Diploma or equivalent.
2. One year of equivalent outreach experience.
3. Computer and web application literacy (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.)
4. Commitment to understanding and supporting SHFB’s mission; shows compassion and an appreciation for hunger issues.
5. Proper and effective communication skills to communicate with partner agencies as well as those in need of the Benefits Connection Program.
6. Excellent organization skills.
7. Detail oriented.
8. Bi-lingual is preferred. (Spanish, Creole)
9. Ability to utilize provided laptop for research and application processes.
10. Willingness to travel to various Central Florida locations.
11. Standing, walking and traveling as needed.
12. Reliable insured vehicle.
13. Successfully pass pre-employment drug test screening, Level II Background Check and driving record check.

Competencies

• Anticipation/Proactive Thinking
• Is able to analyze and anticipate changes at a worksite that could potentially affect his/her work goals, and plans how to deal with them
• Develops contingency plans and consults them with the supervisor
• Paces himself/herself to meet goals or deadlines
• Demonstrates and pursues knowledge, competency and expertise in work, as well as a proactive approach to problem solving
• Customer Focus
• Always seeks to achieve excellence in customer service, quickly responds to situations and returns phone calls
• Empathizes with people while maintaining clear boundaries and objectivity
• Treats clients and co-workers with respect and dignity regardless of race, color, creed and/or personal circumstances
• Always protects and maintains the client’s confidentiality
• Communication
• Consistently keeps clients, partner sites and agency management informed
• Follows the chain of command
• Develops and builds excellent working relations and collaboration with partner agencies and other groups
• Speaks positively of the Agency and refers concerns to next level of management
• Dependability / Attendance
• Can be relied on to show to up to their worksite on time
• Works independently with minimum coaching
• Can always be expected to follow through with commitments
• Manages personal and sick leave appropriately and provides reasonable notice of leave of absence whenever possible
•  Taking Initiative / Responsibility
• Goes the extra mile whenever necessary or appropriate
• Asks for help from others when a goal or a deadline is unlikely to be met alone
• Takes responsibility for their actions and uses criticism to improve and learn
• Teamwork Ability
• Listens to others, communicates effectively
• Anticipates the needs of coworkers and supports team members agency-wide
• Volunteers to assist or support fellow employees
• Has a positive “can do” attitude and encourages a strong, inclusive team spirit
• Work Production / Organization
• Consistently meets goals, targets and deadlines
• Consistently produces reliable reports that are free of errors
• Provides good record keeping and consistent maintenance to his/her caseload
• Consistently maintains a level of outreach activity that keeps his/her schedule full
• Results Focus
• Is quick to identify and put a stop to wasted effort that does not produce valuable results
• Challenges themselves to raise performance standards and aim for higher targets
• Is open and receptive to feedback and coaching, and follows through with recommendations
• Works positively and effectively in highly confusing or ambiguous circumstances

Working Conditions:
Primarily mobile, with meetings at convenient locations throughout the community. Occasional office environment.

Disclaimer:
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills of personnel so classified.

Please send resume or questions to Nitza Colon at NColon@foodbankcentralflorida.org

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Tags: benefits, connection, job, opening