Client Escort/Community Benefits Specialist (48413)

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Accompany clients to various appointments such as social services providers, medical visits, and public assistance and housing appointments
• Act as advocate for clients in obtaining services, payments, benefits and other entitlements
• Use knowledge base to ask the right questions and to negotiate on behalf of the client
• Prepare any required client documents prior to appointments
• Ensure required referrals are obtained prior to appointment
• Pick up client benefit statements from HRA office (Public Assistance Office)
• Make transportation arrangements using company van including driving the van when another driver is unavailable

Administrative Duties

• Office filing
• Answering phones
• Sorting client mail

Qualifications

• Educational Requirements: High school diploma or GED
• Experience: 2-4 years’ experience within social services setting working with homeless, medically frail, disabled, special needs or any other challenging client population
• Experience: Experience working in an environment that required knowledge and understanding of various social services entitlement programs
• Experience: Experience with Homelessness preferred
• Skills: Excellent communication skills needed to effectively deal with various social services agencies and clients
• Skills: Excellent client facing skills needed and the ability to stay calm when dealing with difficult clients
• Skills: Ability to develop a rapport with clients
• Skills: Ability to effectively deal with state and government agencies that follow very bureaucratic processes
• Skills: Ability to multi-task and stay organized
• Language: Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred
• Requirements: Ability to use public transportation within all five boroughs of New York City (for appointments with clients and on behalf of the clients)
• Requirements: Ability to assist with client move outs