Advocacy and Benefit Specialist

Overview Incumbents are responsible for providing advocacy services to older adults, which may include providing information and referral, processing benefit applications, conducting home visits, preparing reports, selling taxi coupons, monitoring follow-ups, and performing related duties.

Responsibilities

Provides advocacy services to older adults in a comprehensive and timely manner, including: information andreferral to services and programs; thorough assessments and benefits screenings; home visits and wellnesschecks; and/or related duties. Evaluate needs and provide resources, including but not limited to: financial stability, legal issues, mentalhealth issues, health care, etc. Assist clients in navigating complex benefits and healthcare systems. Acts as a client advocate in issues related toinsurance 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 otherprograms for people with limited resources. As a SNAP outreach partner, provide full scope assistance related to completing SNAP applications andrecertifications. As mandated reporters, collaborate with Protective Services on cases related to abuse, self-neglect, and financialexploitation, 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 communityoutreach, engagement, and presentations. Prepares, maintains, updates, and compiles a variety of operational and statistical data, records, reports, andfiles. Meets 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. Minimum Entrance Qualifications Minimum three (3) years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, experience in the support of human servicesprograms, 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, andmental 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 ableto 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 populationexperiencing complex challenges, including addiction and untreated or under-treated mental healthconcerns. 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, communityorganizations, 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 availableservices. 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.Subject to CORI check.

Terms

• Union/Salary
• Grade/Salary
• Plan:
• SEIU/RL-14Hours
• Per
• Week: 35