Description

JOB TITLE: Benefits Specialist, School-Based Early Support Program 

DEPARTMENT: Family Counseling 

EXEMPTION: Non-Exempt 

REPORTS TO: Program Director 

SUPERVISES: N/A 

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION: The Benefits Specialist is a new position in the School-Based Early Support Program, a new preventive services model that enhances school-based partnerships. The Benefits Specialist will support families to increase their economic stability as part of a case management and counseling team providing wraparound support to families connected with schools in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. The Benefits Specialist will become a member of a well-established benefits access and enrollment team at CFL, benefitting from training and collegial support.

I. SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to 

• Collaborate closely with CFL program and school staff to increase the economic stability for families in four community-based schools 
• Conduct comprehensive benefits screenings for families 
• Provide application and enrollment assistance, and verify receipt of benefits 
• Provide advocacy and follow-up assistance 
• Develop expertise and assist families with public benefits including SNAP, cash assistance, HEAP, housing assistance, health insurance, WIC, social security benefits, unemployment, NYC ID, Fair Fares, childcare, etc. 
• Accompany families to benefits offices as needed to provide advocacy 
• Collaborate closely with program staff to track and meet families’ goals 
• Participate in outreach and engagement activities within the schools 
• Serve families flexibly across the four school communities, including rotating on-site office hours and school-wide events 
• Provide consultation to the program team on benefits and navigating related systems 
• Conduct workshops for families 
• Develop and maintain relationships with all CFL programs to connect families within CFL’s integrated service model 
• Participate in weekly team and individual supervision meetings
• Adhere to best practices in customer service and maintaining confidentiality 
• Maintain required documentation and data entry 

II. QUALIFICATIONS 

• BA/BS/BSW
• At least one year of relevant experience 
• Bilingual in Spanish or Mandarin required 
• Knowledge of public assistance programs and familiarity with enrollment processes preferred 
• Strong communication and organizational skills 
• Ability to manage time and work independently to achieve strong results 

III. RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHERS 

• Build and maintain collaborative, daily interactions with co-workers, supervisors, and school staff 
• Effectively communicate with external organizations 
• Have a strong sensitivity to cultural differences present among staff and clients within our organization 
• Possess a strong belief in people’s ability to grow and change

IV. WORKING CONDITIONS 

• Work at multiple sites including school and office settings 
• Considerable time is spent sitting and using a computer 
• Attendance at various meetings at schools, the agency, and in the community
• Regular travel among schools located in Sunset Park and CFL’s central location 
• Flexibility for occasional evening and weekend work 
• Fast-paced, high-energy, and highly collaborative environment 
• This is a full-time, in-person position 

V. SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY 

The Benefits Specialist in the School-Based Early Support Program focuses on screening families for public benefits, completing enrollments, conducting advocacy, and connecting families to other concrete resources as part of a community-based partnership between CFL and neighborhood schools. The Benefits Specialist is an ambassador for CFL, interacting at all times with respect and kindness, generosity, and solution-focused problem-solving. 

 BENEFITS

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits along with the opportunity to participate in additional voluntary life, disability, and 403B retirement plan
• Up to four weeks of paid vacation
• Individual supervision and ongoing professional development opportunities

This is a Full-time non-exempt position at 35 hours per week.