Employment & SOAR/Benefit Specialist

POSITION TITLE: Employment & SOAR/Benefits Specialist

DEPARTMENT: Shelters

REPORTS TO: Supervising Case Manager

FLSA: Full-time, Non-Exempt

BENEFITS: Alpha Project offers a generous benefits package, including 14 paid holidays, paid vacation, sick leave, and 100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision premium, and group life insurance.

PAY RANGE: $24-$28 an hour, commensurate with experience

Position Summary

The Employment and SOAR/Benefits Specialist is responsible for creating a positive environment in which to provide residents with case management, housing navigation, support services, and referrals. This position will take the lead on employment services and assistance, as well as accessing disability and social security benefits. Responsibilities include staying connected with partner agencies and their employment-related services, staying current on employment openings in the San Diego area, cultivating new employment opportunities, assisting residents with resume preparation, and preparing them for interviews. The Employment and SOAR/Benefits Specialist will also screen all intakes for SOAR eligibility and assist residents with the application process.

The position will also maintain a caseload of 10-15 clients, depending on the SOAR caseload, and assist with one-on-one case management, developing individualized case plans to promote client progression towards obtaining and maintaining self-sufficiency, including assisting with getting residents "housing ready."

Essential Functions

• Screen all intakes for SOAR, SSI/SSDI, and public benefits eligibility and assist clients throughout the application process.
• Complete interviews with individuals to gather information to complete SSI/SSDI applications.
• Obtain, organize, and review medical records and supporting documentation necessary for SSI/SSDI and other benefits applications.
• Write SOAR Medical Summary Reports for individual applications.
• Coordinate and accompany clients to appointments with the Social Security Administration, medical providers, psychiatrists, and other specialists to support benefits applications.
• Assess clients' work readiness, employment barriers, and vocational goals.
• Support clients in overcoming barriers to employment through individualized planning and referrals.
• Assist clients with employment-related documentation, including resumes, cover letters, applications, and interview preparation.
• Develop relationships with workforce development programs, employers, vocational training opportunities, and partner agencies to provide resources for the case management team to support clients.
• Assist in coordinating transportation for clients to employment-related events and appointments.
• Participate in case management meetings and provide resources for case managers to support employment services for clients.
• Perform intakes and needs assessments.
• Maintain an active caseload of 10-15 clients, provide client-centered case management, and develop individualized service and housing stability plans.
• Assist clients in identifying and overcoming barriers related to housing stability, income, employment, and benefits access.
• Meet with clients weekly to review progress toward housing, financial stability, and self-sufficiency goals.
• Support clients in obtaining required documentation such as identification, Social Security cards, and housing or benefits paperwork.
• Assist clients in connecting to a range of services, including medical, behavioral health, substance use, and supportive services.
• Maintain timely, accurate, and thorough documentation in HMIS and Clarity.
• Complete progress notes, assessments, and data entry promptly and accurately.
• Assist the team with administrative tasks as needed.
• Provide encouragement and direction to clients.
• Address unanticipated client needs/issues as they arise.
• Participates as a member of a multi-disciplinary team that reviews client cases and develops action plans that meet the individual needs of each client.
• Maintains a safe and healthy work environment by adhering to organization standards and all applicable Federal, State, and local laws and
  
  

Other Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with all team members.
• Participate in staff training, staff meetings, and development activities as directed.
• Perform other duties as directed by Director/Manager.
  
  

Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this job.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands/conditions described below are representative of those that must be met/tolerated by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Sitting at a desk for long and continuous periods of time.
• Answering or making calls on the telephone for sometimes long and continuous periods of time
• Using a keyboard to perform research and to communicate through written means for sometimes long and continuous periods of time.
• Looking at a computer monitor for long and continuous periods of time.
• Ability to lift and move up to 25 pounds.
• Frequent standing, walking, reaching, lifting, and stooping.
• Exposure to moderate to loud noise levels.
• Possible contact with onsite animals/pets.
• Potential for exposure to bodily fluids.
  
  

Qualifications

Candidates must demonstrate the ability to follow policies and procedures as established in the Company's Employee Handbook. Candidates will also contribute to a positive work environment by behaving and communicating in a manner such that they get along with all constituent groups, co-workers, and management. In addition, the education, experience, and other skills listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required.

Experience and Education

• Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or a related field, preferred.
• Two (2) years of prior experience working with homeless populations, required.
• Experience as a case manager, employment case manager, or social worker; or any equivalent combination of education, training, preferred.
• Experience working with employers, supportive employment programs, and job training initiatives preferred.
• SOAR training and experience, preferred.
  
  

Key Skills Set

• Ability to communicate in person and over the phone, required.
• Strong verbal communication skills, required.
• The ability to adhere to policies and procedures, required.
• Understanding of confidentiality protocols and protecting personal information, required.
• Ability to organize and prioritize projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner, required.
• Effectively problem-solve and maintain composure in high-pressure situations, required.
• Act as a liaison with partner agencies and employers.
• Ability to work independently with minimal daily supervision, required.
• Knowledge of the utilized practices and principles is preferred, including Housing First, Trauma-Informed Care, Conflict Resolution, Motivational Interviewing, Low Barrier Operations, and Prevention and Diversion.
• Familiarity with the Social Security Administration's Listings of Impairments, preferred.
• Cursory knowledge of medical and psychiatric terminology, preferred.
• Good writing skills and the ability to analyze extensive data and create written reports with accuracy are required.
  
  

EQUIPMENT AND APPLICATIONS

• Proficiency in MS Office, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint, preferred.
• Working knowledge of all standard office equipment.
• Experience with principles and practices of data collection, HMIS and Clarity experience, preferred.
  
  

Alpha Project for the Homeless provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law.