Income Supports Specialist (IDPL) - Career Pathways
COMPANY DESCRIPTION
Instituto del Progreso Latino is a community organization whose mission is to contribute to the fullest development of Latino(a) immigrants and their families through education, training and employment that fosters participation in the changing U.S. society while preserving cultural identity and dignity. Founded in 1977 to help Latino’s learn basic skills, pass the civil service exam and obtain higher paying post office jobs, Instituto has grown to a flourishing educational center serving over 14,000 Chicago families per year.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Income Support Specialist reports to the Dean of Career Pathways and Support Services. The main responsibility of this position is to serve as a link between Instituto participants, students, and the Department of Human Services offices, as well as other public benefit agencies and organizations. This position provides support and counseling to individuals dealing with issues such as day care, substance abuse, rehabilitation services, etc., by connecting the program participants with the support services needed, including but not limited to eligibility screenings to access the needed public benefits and other social services.
The Income Support Specialist is familiar with the Illinois Department of Human Services System (IDHS) and the wide array of other public services offered throughout the Chicagoland and suburban areas. This position requires to maintain a strong working relationship with the IDHS, WIC, Unemployment and Social Security offices, etc. to effectively service the clients in need of receiving these services.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Conduct a thorough screening of applicants to determine their eligibility to apply for emergency cash assistance, utility payments, public benefits, and any other services.
- Advise participants on available benefits, from both, public and private sources, appropriate to their individual situation and eligibility criteria.
- Assist clients to process applications for the services they are eligible for and submit all applications on their behalf.
- Serve as a liaison and advocate on participant’s behalf with the Illinois Department of Human Services and other agencies, as needed, for cases that need additional intervention.
- Maintain status updates of each client’s applications, enrollments and recertification processes.
- Record services provided and corresponding case notes and outcomes data into Salesforce and all other funders data tracking systems on a timely and accurate manner.
- Generate and submit accurate monthly and quarterly grantors reports.
- Ensure the grantors data tracking systems is accurate and timely updated.
- Ensure that the program participant files are neatly organized and follow grantors policies to be ready for programmatic audits.
- Manage relationships with local benefits agencies and cultivates new partnerships with other resource organizations, both, public and private.
- Maintain a directory of service agencies in Chicago and surrounding suburban areas.
- Create support services networks that benefit program participants and the students.
- Participate in funders and other stakeholders’ meetings as required.
- Conduct outreach and recruitment activities as requested by supervisor.
- May be required to work some evening and weekend hours.
- Provide translation and interpretation services, in English and in Spanish, as needed.
- Complete program reports in a timely basis.
- Maintain a well-organized database system of all program participants.
- Ensure the program meets all public benefits grantors goals.
- Assist in the facilitate of the weekly Career Pathways program orientation sessions.
- Perform other responsibilities as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
- An associate degree is preferred, or the minimum of two years of experience working with public benefits grants.
- A minimum of two years of experience working with public benefits grants.
- Experience assessing public benefits eligibility and suitability preferred.
- Possess above average customer service and telephone skills.
- Ability to maintain a high sense of confidentiality.
- Must be culturally sensitive to have the ability to work with individuals of different cultural backgrounds.
- Ability to work in a team and independently with minimal supervision.
- Demonstrate exceptional organization and time management skills.
- Knowledge of Salesforce and public benefits access databases a plus.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Must be able to communicate fluently in English and Spanish
- Ability to maintain professional composure under pressure.
- Ability to adhere to deadlines and react to unpredictable events professionally and effectively.
- Must be able to attend outreach activities after normal business hours, evening, and weekends, or as required by program needs.
- Strong skills with Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and the internet.
- Other duties may be required to be performed as part of the work done for this program.
The above is intended to describe the general conditions of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities and requirements.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Nature of work requires an ability to operate standard business office equipment. Requires ability to communicate and exchange information, collect, compile and prepare work documents, as well as set-up and maintain work files.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Instituto del Progresso Latino is an Equal Opportunity Employer
