Benefits Specialist, Family Support Program - Mandarin Bilingual Required

JOB TITLE: Benefits Specialist, Family Support Program

DEPARTMENT: Family Counseling / Preventive Services

EXEMPTION: Non-Exempt

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION: The Benefits Specialist is a new position in the Family Support Program. 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 living in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. The Benefits Specialist will become a member of a well-established benefits access and enrollment team at CFL, benefiting from training and collegial support.

REPORTS TO: Program Director

SUPERVISES: N/A

I. SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES include, but are not limited to

• Collaborate closely with program staff to increase the family’s economic stability in the Family Support Program.
• 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 community
• 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 maintain confidentiality
• Maintain required documentation and data entry

II. QUALIFICATIONS

• BA/BS/BSW
• At least one year of relevant experience
• Bilingual in 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 and 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 community spaces and office settings
• Considerable time is spent sitting and using a computer
• Attendance at various meetings in the agency and in the community
• Regular travel among community partners 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 Family Support Program focuses on screening families for public benefits, completing enrollments, conducting advocacy, and connecting families to other concrete resources. The Benefits Specialist is an ambassador for CFL, interacting at all times with respect and kindness, generosity, and solution-focused problem-solving.

The comprehensive benefits package includes up to four weeks of paid vacation, fourteen paid holidays, medical, dental, and life insurance, and retirement benefits. Additional voluntary benefits include disability, critical illness, and accident.