Department: Disability Services

Reports to: Assistant Director

Hourly rate: $21.16

Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt

Date: December 2022

Position Overview:

Under the supervision of the Assistant Director, the benefits specialist is responsible for providing case management services, information and referral, and other assistance to Schaumburg Township residents and their caregivers.  In addition, responsible for addressing the basic needs of clients, intake new clients, and ongoing assistance with resources or programs that promote independence.  This position is trained in a variety of public benefit programs, as well as the Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporations (ITAC) amplified phone-testing program.  The Specialist provides support at various departmental events and networking groups.

Hours: 8:30 AM to 5:PM -Monday through Friday

Responsibilities / Essential Functions:

• Provide casework and client follow-up on public benefit and government programs including, but not limited to, home energy assistance, pharmaceutical assistance, Medicare and Medicaid counseling, Social Security, SNAP benefits, and crisis funding.
• Coordinate comprehensive client care with outside agencies linking residents with available services and programs.
• Complete intake assessments with clients and assist them with various program applications.
• Assist clients with the application process for benefits and assistance, including, but not limited to, LIHEAP, Benefits Access, Medicaid, Low Income Subsidy, Medicare, and RTA applications.
• Provide general information, referrals, and assistance to residents.
• Maintain and organize client files to include client intake forms, the release of information, statistics, case notes, and other information as needed.
• Act as liaison between client and other agencies to provide information, assistance, and advocacy.
• Conduct home visits for homebound residents as needed.
• Attend training, workshops, and seminars on topics related to issues affecting persons with disabilities, including the annual ITAC conference for training on the Illinois Amplified Telephone Program, and disseminate information learned to other staff and the 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 persons with disabilities.
• Represent Disability Services at outreach events, networking, and community forums as assigned.
• Protect client confidentiality and client records based on HIPPA guidelines.
• Provide application assistance and training for clients eligible for the ITAC amplified phones.
• Assist with planning and organizing disability services events.
• Facilitate education workshops on relevant topics to the community.
• Curate Disability Services content for township newsletter publications as assigned.
• Create and disseminate Disability Services bi-weekly E-Newsletter or bi-monthly Senior and Disability Services newsletter as assigned.
• Assist in updating and maintaining resource spreadsheet with relevant information for residents.
• Relieve receptionist of Senior and Disability Services Department as needed.
• Performs all other duties as assigned by the Assistant Director or Director.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

• Skill to identify and manage multiple clients, projects, programs, and services in an efficient and effective manner.
• Basic knowledge of current issues, governmental programs, and Township services for residents with disabilities.
• Ability to gather information to identify and resolve problems by connecting clients with resources or programs, to read and interpret all types of documents including safety rules and regulations, procedure manuals, and client documents, and to convey information clearly.
• Ability to create and edit newsletters using Mailchimp and Microsoft Publisher.
• Able to have patience and empathy in working with older adults and people with disabilities.
• Ability to create and manage own schedule.
• Ability to conduct presentations to the community on topics affecting older adults and persons with disabilities, able to speak clearly and effectively before groups and answer questions appropriately.
• Ability to maintain effective professional relationships with elected officials, staff, residents, and vendors.
• Bilingual in any of the following (Spanish, Hindi, Polish, Russian, Bulgarian, Ukrainian) is a plus

Education, Experience, and Computer Skills:

• Associate degree in Human Services or related field preferred. Candidates with an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience are to be considered.
• Must be proficient with Microsoft Office applications including, but not limited to, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Excel.

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).
• Willingness to attend and pass American Sign Language class to communicate with clients and staff who are deaf.

Physical Demands:

• The physical demands described here are representative of 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 overheads. 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 position is primarily implemented indoor offices; however, it may require contact with outdoor weather at special events.
• This position may require off-site training which may have other conditions not listed here.

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