Public Benefits Specialist

Job Overview:

IRC in Denver seeks to foster the best possible initial resettlement experience, with an emphasis on helping clients successfully navigate systems and processes while building skills that promote self-sufficiency and long-term community integration. A member of the Resettlement Team, the Public Benefits Specialist is a key contributor to these efforts. Working closely with all departments, the Public Benefits Specialist facilitates timely access to benefits (cash, food, health, childcare, and other resources based on eligibility) while clients work toward economic self-reliance. Together with colleagues on the Economic Empowerment team, this position also ensures that clients participating in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) meet program requirements by helping them identify, access, and complete pre-employment work activities according to state and county TANF guidelines. This position collaborates with colleagues focused on employment and financial coaching, education, and lending to implement an approach known as the bundled services model for financial capability, which has proved to result in greater positive gains in individual and household-level measures of financial wellbeing. This position reports to the Public Benefits Coordinator.

Major Responsibilities:

• Supports screening for eligibility for public benefits, including cash, food, health, childcare, and other available resources.
• Assists clients with county interviews, reapplying for public benefits and picking up benefits cards.
• Trains clients on use of Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards to access resources (cash, food, bus passes, etc.).
• Works with families referred for childcare to research prospective providers, arrange facility tours, submit applications, understand check-in/check-out procedures, and learn related bus routes.
• Coaches clients to build understanding and skills that will support their capacity to assume responsibility for routine maintenance of their public benefits.
• Manages and supports Workforce Development aspects of TANF cases in Colorado Benefits Management System (CBMS), including capturing and reporting work activity hours, updating individual plans with clients regularly, making appropriate referrals, assessing client progress, and etc. 
• Performs administrative tasks, including maintaining and updating client case files, filing documentation, and completing accurate and timely data entry.
• Documents service provision and completes reports in the Efforts to Outcomes (ETO) and Geneva databases in accordance with standard operating procedures and donor requirements.
• Complies with all federal, state, local and IRC contractual requirements, including confidentiality requirements under HIPAA.
• Fosters positive working relationships with county offices, colleague resettlement agencies, refugee service providers and other relevant entities.
• Attends meetings with the Colorado Refugee Services Program (CRSP) and/or other county, state and local partners as requested.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Education:

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent experience preferred; may be substituted with equivalent work and/or lived experience.
• The skills and knowledge typically acquired through 2+ years of relevant work experience, ideally including responsibilities in social services or a similar non-profit, grant-funded environment.

Work Experience:

• Experience working with refugees or in refugee resettlement is highly desirable.

Demonstrated Skills & Competencies:

• Knowledge of TANF, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Colorado Childcare Assistance Program (CCAP) and Medicaid preferred.
• Ability to prioritize and manage time effectively.
• Excellent attention to detail required, with a demonstrated ability to interpret and navigate complex and interconnected state and federal contracts simultaneously while also maintaining program compliance.
• Commitment to providing high quality services in support of clients, in accordance with standards set forth by IRC, county partners, and the State of Colorado. 
• Ability to think critically, exercise sound judgment, and proactively seek solutions to problems clients encounter in accessing public benefits and navigating related processes and systems. 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are required, including fluency in both writing and speaking English.
• Adept in working cross-culturally and with limited English proficient individuals.
• Bilingual in one or more languages of the local refugee population preferred (such as Amharic, Arabic, Burmese, Dari, Farsi, French, Kiswahili, Pashto, Russian, Spanish, and/or Tigrinya).
• Proficient in Microsoft Office programs, internet applications and relational database use, including comfort using online platforms to submit benefits applications and check status of applications and benefits. 
• Advanced Excel skills strongly preferred.
• Experience in CBMS database and the PEAK platform preferred.
• Use of a reliable personal vehicle required with valid driver’s license and current insurance, with the ability to travel regularly throughout the service delivery area.

Working Environment:

• A combination of standard office environment and remote work.
• Staff are required to adhere to IRC’s COVID risk mitigation policies, which may include masking, physical distancing, enhanced hygiene practices, symptom screening, and isolation and quarantine when needed. IRC policies may be stricter than federal, state, or local level policies. 

Compensation: Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget.  Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

US Benefits: The IRC offers a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. All US employees are eligible for sick time, a 403b retirement savings plans: up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus an 3-7% additional IRC contribution, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

In addition, full-time employees are eligible for 10 US paid holidays, 20-25 paid time off days, disability & life insurance, medical, dental, and vision insurance (employee contribution starting at $135, $7, and $5 per month respectively) and FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs. Part-time employees are eligible for a proportionate amount of paid time off. These additional benefits apply to employees who work at least 6 months within a 12 month time period.