Advocacy and Benefit Specialist

Responsibilities

• Provides advocacy services to older adults in a comprehensive and timely manner, including: information and referral to services and programs; thorough assessments and benefits screenings; home visits and wellness checks; and/or related duties.
• Evaluate needs and provide resources, including but not limited to: financial stability, legal issues, mental health issues, health care, etc.
• Aid clients in navigating complex benefits and healthcare systems.
• Acts as a client advocate in issues related to insurance coverage, financial assistance, and benefit access.
• As a certified SHINE Counselor, provide full scope assistance related to Medicare Part A, Part B, and Part D; Medigap insurance, Medicare HMOs, retiree insurance plans, prescription drug programs, Medicaid, and other programs for people with limited resources.
• As a SNAP outreach partner, provide full scope assistance related to completing SNAP applications and recertifications.
• Collaborate with Protective Services on cases related to abuse, self-neglect, and financial exploitation, etc.
• Responds to emergency crisis situations related to health and safety.
• Sells and manages assigned taxi coupon booklets and associated cash.
• Gathers relevant information and processes applications.
• Effectively communicates information about Elderly Commission programs and services through community outreach, engagement, and presentations.
• Prepares, maintains, updates, and compiles a variety of operational and statistical data, records, reports, and files.
• Maintains meeting deadlines and reporting expectations.
• Provides office coverage to include: answering phones, assisting walk-ins, etc.
• Provides on-call coverage for the Age Strong Commission.
• Provides timely follow-up to effectuate service into resolution.
• Conducts all interactions in a positive and professional manner.
• Performs related work as required.

Requirements

• Minimum three (3) years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, experience in the support of human services programs, including case management services and assessment preferred.
• A bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field is highly preferred.
• Certification, training, or formal education in counseling and/or case management, substance abuse, and mental health preferred.
• Alliance of Information and Referral Services (AIRS) Certificate preferred.
• Serving the Health and Information Needs of Everyone (SHINE) certification is highly preferred.
• Must be able to obtain and/or maintain certification within one (1) year of employment.
• Familiarity with health insurance and government benefits is highly preferred.
• Experience and comfort level delivering services to a multiracial, multicultural, and multilingual population experiencing complex challenges, including addiction and untreated or under-treated mental health concerns.
• Ability to give team feedback; ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with government agencies, social service agencies, community organizations, and older adults is highly preferred.
• Ability to set and maintain personal and professional boundaries and confidentiality.
• Strong presentation and advocacy skills.
• Strong problem-solving ability.
• Ability to prepare clear, concise, and comprehensive reports.
• Demonstrates proper use of databases and other tools to ensure citizens are provided with all available services.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and focus on detail as required by the job.
• Experience in typical office software systems (Microsoft Office and Google Suite) preferred.
• Bilingual (Spanish, Haitian Creole, CaboVerdean Creole, Vietnamese, Cantonese, or Mandarin) preferred.
• MA Driver’s License preferred.
• Travel throughout Boston is required in support of the position’s responsibilities.
• Flexible schedule, as some nights and weekends are required.
• City Of Boston Residency Required.