Income Support Specialist - IDPL (Career Path

Income Support 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 Lead Income Supports Specialist. This position is responsible for providing education, navigation, and case management services to support low-income, limited English-speaking immigrant community members to access a full range of public benefits and a wide array of other related services. The Income Support Specialist will assess each individual and/or family to screen their eligibility to access public aid benefits and other social services. They will link participants with the Department of Human Services offices, other public benefit agencies, City of Chicago institutions, and CBOs to receive the necessary services that will fulfill their most immediate needs.  The Income Supports Specialist will offer follow-up services to the program participants to ensure the benefits applied for were approved/denied, and they will also will act as liaisons with IDHS and other agencies to obtain information about each individual case in efforts to satisfactorily resolve their cases.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Complete the intake assessment forms with the migrant community members that need services. 
• Provide navigation support to eligible immigrants, refugees, and the general population.
• Conduct a thorough screening of applicants to determine their eligibility to apply for public benefits, emergency cash assistance, utility services, rental assistance, and any other needed social services.
• Assist applicants in completing applications for the full range of public benefits, including Medicare, Medicaid, All Kids, SNAP, Benefit Access, VTTC applications and other eligible services
• Advise participants on available benefits, from both, public and private sources, appropriate to their individual situation and eligibility criteria. 
• Assist community members with interpretation services and/or translation of critical documents from English to Spanish. 
• Follow-up on pending casework and maintain communication with clients via phone, email or text regarding missing documentation necessary for submission of application.
• 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.
• Advocate and mediate with DHS and other agency staff to help community members understand eligibility criteria, problem-solve, and maintain benefits once received.
• Advocate for clients with regard to financial, state/federal benefits, housing, education, and child care issued that need advocacy services. 
• Provide information and facilitate referrals for community members to other critical supports.
• Maintain status updates of each client’s application, enrollment and redetermination processes.
• Maintain objective, comprehensive, qualitative and timely case notes on participants. 
• 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. 
• Maintain program participant files neatly organized ensuring they follow funders policies to be audit ready at all times. 
• Manage relationships with local benefits agencies and cultivate new partnerships with other resource organizations that offer different services than Instituto to maintain a directory of service agencies in Chicago and surrounding suburban areas. 
• Stay informed of evolving benefits eligibility guidelines that affect the participants’ eligibility for services. 
• Participate in funders and other stakeholders’ meetings and trainings as required.
• Participate in organizational staff development and team building activities.
• Ensure accurate and timely data collection and reporting, following guidelines.
• Safeguard community members’ confidentiality at all times by maintaining secure record-keeping of files and disclosure of sensitive information only if required.
• Maintain a well-organized database system of all program participants.
• Facilitate weekly Career Pathways program orientation sessions.  
• Participate in community outreach efforts maintaining a flexible schedule to attend community events, committee meetings, and special events, as needed. 
• Must occasionally travel between Instituto and remote sites to perform work duties, to meet with program participants, or drive them to different appointments.
• Work with clients from a wide variety of age groups, backgrounds, and personal experiences to help them find the resources necessary to meet their immediate needs. 
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned by the program supervisor. 
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor Degree in Social work is preferred, or have an equivalent 2-3 years of experience as case manager, community navigator, or similar work experience in a related field. 
• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish and English is required to provide language interpretation and translation services for clients with limited to no English communication abilities.
• Ability to work with immigrants and to build trust.
• Ability to multitask and work under pressure. 
• Dependable and punctual, have flexibility to work weekends or a rotating schedule if needed. 
• Possess above average customer service and telephone skills.
• Solution-oriented mindset; demonstrated ability to take initiative, critically analyze issues, and devise innovative solutions.
• Computer proficiency is required; must possess the ability to work with Microsoft Suite and Google applications; experience using Salesforce for case management is a plus.
• Possess strong customer service skills and courteous telephone etiquette.
• Ability to maintain a high sense of confidentiality. 
• Ability to work with individuals of different cultural backgrounds. Be a team player and a multi-tasker, high-performer, and a strong work ethic when working under minimal supervision. 
• Ability to adhere to deadlines, react to unpredictable events quickly and efficiently, be resourceful, manage conflict and challenges in a calm and positive manner. 
• Excellent time management and organizational skills, and the ability to prioritize multiple projects and deadlines 
• Ability to maintain professional composure under pressure. High level of patience is necessary.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends is required, including participating in funders workshops, trainings, and other events outside of normal business hours, and to attend the organization’s needed outreach events.

The above is intended to describe the general conditions 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

The nature of this work requires the ability to operate standard business office equipment to effectively communicate and exchange information.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The majority of the work performed for this position is in a general office environment.  It requires the availability to work extended and non-traditional hours to perform the job duties. It also requires participation and attendance to the organization sponsored events and meetings during non-regular business hours as well as commuting from site to site to perform this work.  

BENEFITS

Medical

Dental

Vison

Life Insurance

Short Term Disability

Long Term Disability

403b retirement saving plan 

PAID TIME OFF

Vacation

Sick

Personal

Holidays

Instituto del Progreso Latino is an Equal Opportunity Employer