Position Summary: As a member of the Resettlement Team, the Public Benefits Coordinator is a key contributor to the team's resettlement efforts. Working closely with all the Case Managers and the Employment teams, the Public Benefits Coordinator facilitates timely access to benefits (cash, food, health, childcare, and other resources based on eligibility) while clients work towards financial self-sufficiency. Together with colleagues on the Case Management and Employment teams, 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 the entire Resettlement team to help provide wrap-around services to ensure all clients have access to public benefits while taking steps toward financial security.

Salary: $27.00 per hour

Must be a Colorado resident.

Please submit your resume along with a cover letter letting us know why you are the right person for this position.

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.
• Follows up with clientele at regular intervals to ensure compliance with benefits programming.
• Along with Case Managers and Volunteer Support, trains clients on the use of Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards to access resources (cash, food, bus passes, etc.).
• Along with Case Managers and Volunteer Support, 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.
• Along with Case Managers and Volunteer Support, coaches clients to build understanding and skills that will support their capacity to assume responsibility for routine maintenance of their public benefits.
• Provides support in capturing and reporting work activity hours for TANF cases.
• Performs administrative tasks, including maintaining and updating client case files, filing documentation, and completing accurate and timely data entry. This also includes uploading eligibility information into the State of Colorado’s Geneva database.
• Fosters positive working relationships with county offices, other network providers, refugee service providers and other relevant entities.
• Coaches clientele to ultimately get off of public benefits with a goal of self-sufficiency.
• Other related tasks as needed.

COVID-19 considerations: Must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 (proof required), subject to legally required exemptions.

Agency Overview: JFS is a nonprofit human services organization that serves anyone in need – regardless of their circumstances or religious beliefs. We believe in a shared responsibility to support impactful changes throughout our community.

Founded over 150 years ago, we offer more than 30 programs and services, including food security, housing stability, mental health counseling, aging care, employment support, and disability services. JFS takes a holistic approach, assessing the various needs of the individual or family and providing the appropriate services all from one organization. We continuously evaluate the evolving challenges of our community and adapt or develop programs that respond to the resulting needs.

We are very proud of our work culture, including recently completing a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion assessment. JFS offers competitive pay and benefits, including medical, dental, vision, health savings account, flexible spending account, Legal/ID Theft, supplemental insurances, agency-paid Life/LTD, Employee Assistance Programs, 401(k), 21 paid holidays, and a generous leave program. JFS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or closely related human service degree.

Experience:

• 2-4 years of experience in the social work or human service field preferred.
• Work with Refugee Resettlement preferred.
• Knowledge of Colorado’s CBMS database.
• Knowledge of TANF, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Colorado Childcare Assistance Program (CCAP), and Medicaid preferred.

Other:

• Knowledge of the service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics and appropriate techniques and practices for working with the client population.
• Ability to interact effectively as a team member and independently with Agency staff, community members, and a diverse client base.
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
• Must have excellent computer and organizational skills.
• Proficiency in additional languages is a plus.
• Requires a good driving record.