Department: Disability and Senior Services

Reports to: Director of Disability and Senior Services

Start Base Salary: $50,647

Status: Full Time-Exempt

Date:   January 2023

Position Overview:

Under the guidance of the Director of Disability & Senior Services, the Assistant Director will serve as support for all aspects of Disability & Senior Services. The Assistant Director will provide all managerial duties of the Director when unavailable. The Assistant Director will provide case management services, information and referrals, and other assistance to Schaumburg Township residents and their caregivers. This position is trained in a variety of public benefit programs and serves as a liaison for AARP Foundation Income Tax Preparation and oversees the scheduling of appointments. The Assistant Director provides support at various township events, staff matters, and networking groups, and completes education sessions as directed.

Essential Job Functions:

• Assist the Director in the overall administration of department services and programs.
• Complete client intake assessments, assist with applications, provide counseling and client follow-up on public benefit and government programs including, but not limited to LIHEAP, Benefit Assistance, Medicare, Medicaid, RTA, Social Security and SNAP.
• Coordinate comprehensive client care with outside agencies linking residents with available services and programs.
• Provide general information, referrals, and assistance to residents.
• Act as liaison between client and other agencies to provide information, assistance, and advocacy.
• Maintain and organize client files to include client intake forms, case notes, and other information as needed.
• Provide support for CEDA programs including verifying daily applications, following up with staff regarding in-progress applications, maintaining required documentation for the program year, and partnering with Welfare Services Director to coordinate document removal with CEDA.
• Supervise the AARP Foundation Income Tax Assistance Program, act as liaison with AARP Site Coordinator, coordinate volunteers and provide training for appointment scheduling, serve as main point of contact for residents and staff regarding AARP.
• Create bi-monthly Access Point newsletter in partnership with Program Coordinator and Community Relations department.
• Attend training, workshops, and seminars on topics related to issues affecting older adults and the disability community and disseminate information learned to other staff and community if relevant.
• Interact with community organizations, local, state and federal governments, and other agencies to generate assistance and create awareness of the needs of older adults.
• Basic knowledge of current issues, governmental programs, and Township services for older adults.
• Facilitate educational seminars on benefits, services, or resources for older adults, persons with disabilities, their families, caregivers, or loved ones.
• Protect client confidentiality and client records based on HIPPA guidelines.
• Represents Senior Services on the Township Safety Group and participates in disaster planning, training education, networking meetings, and emergency response training. Attends township board meetings and Senior Citizens Services Committee meetings when requested.
• Performs all other duties as assigned by the Director of Senior and Disability Services.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Supervise, train, and evaluate Benefit Specialists and volunteers for AARP Tax-Aide scheduling.
• Recruit, interview, train and supervise all volunteers for special projects or events.

Other Job Functions:

• Enjoys working with older adults and people with disabilities.
• Ability to create and manage own schedule.
• Assist Director with expanding and maintaining the fundraising base to support programs.
• Support the Director with the preparation of the annual budget and strategic plan.
• Submit reports with statistical and other data as assigned.
• Ability to gather information to identify and resolve problems by connecting clients with resources or programs.
• Assist with planning and organization of township and department events as necessary.
• Ability to read, interpret all documents, including safety rules, and policy regulations
• Create and edit reports and correspondence from source material using appropriate style and format.
• Skill to identify and manage multiple clients, projects, programs, and services efficiently and effectively.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in social services or related field required. Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 3-4 years of experience in administrative support or customer service required.
• Supervisory experience preferred.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain a professional level of competence with members of the public, the media, and with directors and staff of other government agencies, not-for-profits, community groups, and service providers.
• Possess and utilize tact, diplomacy, and discretion when dealing with sensitive or confidential matters.
• Ability to work effectively and courteously with residents seeking assistance while maintaining privacy.
• Proficiency with all Microsoft Office applications including Outlook and Teams.
• Ability to lift 30 pounds, including bending and overhead lifting.

Special Requirements:

• Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends for special events, meetings, or outreach opportunities as needed.
• Complete State of Illinois Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) training and maintain certification.
• Complete Community and Economic Development Association (CEDA) Energy Services Technician Training and maintain certification.
• Following one year of employment, achieve and maintain certification as a Community Resource Specialist Aging/Disability (CRS-A/D) from the Alliance of Referral and Information Systems (AIRS).
• Maintain commission for Illinois notary public.
• Willingness to attend training in basic sign language to communicate with clients and staff who are deaf.

Physical Demands:

• The physical demands described here represent those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job with reasonable accommodation.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, use repetitive motion, type, and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, use hands and fingers to handle and feel, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to bend, climb stairs, and reach overhead. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.

Environmental Conditions:

• The work environment conditions described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job with reasonable accommodation.
• The Assistant Director works directly with clients; as such, some clients may exhibit a variety of behaviors. In addition, this position may require off-site training which may have other conditions not listed here.
• This position is primarily executed indoors; however, it may require contact with outdoor weather at special events, outreach, or other meetings.

Benefits:

This position is scheduled for 37.5 hours per week, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Township offers a generous benefits package including paid time off, major medical, dental, vision, life and IMRF retirement.

If you are interested in this opportunity or have any questions regarding this overview, please email an updated resume & cover letter directly to the Township’s HR department at llizcano@schaumburgtownship.org