Public Benefits Coordinator

Major Responsibilities:

Program Development and Management

- Develop a comprehensive understanding of public benefits, especially TANF eligibility criteria and outcome requirements according to county and state guidelines. - Serve as the IRC in Denver’s lead contact for TANF, staying current on program requirements and systems, integrating and communicating changes, and providing related training and support as needed. - Maintain professional relationships with county and state partners to facilitate client access to benefits. - Identify and assess client eligibility for public benefits, including but not limited to TANF, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) and the Colorado Childcare Assistance Program (CCAP). - Build rapport with clients through verbal and on-verbal communication, employing motivational interviewing techniques to support their progress toward identified goals. - Assist clients with county interviews, reapplications for public benefits and picking up benefits cards. - Work closely with clients, caseworkers, and employment specialists to develop individualized service plans that lead clients to early self-sufficiency and meet the requirements of the TANF program. - Conduct assessments and regularly update individualized service plans for each TANF client. - Work with families referred for childcare support to complete applications, research prospective providers, arrange facility tours and deliver training on check-in/check-out as well as bus orientation.

Quality Assurance and Compliance

- Perform administrative tasks, including maintaining accurate and timely case notes, updating client case files per program requirements, filing documentation, and completing data entry in the Efforts to Outcomes (ETO), Geneva, and Colorado Benefits Management System (CBMS) databases. - Provide accurate data and other information for program reporting and monitoring purposes. - Conduct regular file reviews and support ongoing quality assurance for public benefits documentation. - Work with the Economic Empowerment Manager, the Employment Services Coordinators for Reach and MG, the Data and Quality Assurance Specialist, and other colleagues to establish and implement necessary communication, documentation, and data collection systems.

Staff Supervision and Coordination

- Directly supervise day-to-day activities and larger level, strategic work of the Public Benefits team. - In accordance with IRC’s People Manager Standards, provide leadership, mentoring, supervision, training, performance management, and other support to public benefits staff, interns, and volunteers. - Oversee scheduling, activities, and case assignments for team members. - Identify and share best practices and contribute to the team’s ability to deliver high quality services. - Provide direct services as needed to address immediate client needs, provide coverage for staff on leave, or meet temporary surges in demand for services. - Support the grievance process, support staff and clients on issues of non-compliance and complaints, identify action plans to address challenges, and institute sanctioning processes when needed.

Other

- As requested, attend TANF-focused meetings and training, as well as other appropriate meetings with the Colorado Refugee Services Program (CRSP) and/or other state and local partners. - Build comprehensive knowledge of community providers and community services available to clients. - Ensure that services are delivered in accordance with HIPAA and the quality, confidentiality, and other standards of the IRC, State of Colorado, Office of Refugee Resettlement, and Department of State. - Perform other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Education

Undergraduate degree in human services, public administration, or another a relevant field preferred. May be substituted with equivalent years of relevant work experience.

Work Experience

- The skills and knowledge typically acquired through 3+ years of relevant work experience, preferably in a non-profit or other social services environment working with refugees or similar populations, and ideally including coaching clients as they work toward self-sufficiency and navigate complex systems. - Experience supervising and guiding the work of others is strongly preferred.

Demonstrated Skills & Competencies

- Highly organized self-starter with demonstrated success in managing multiple priorities and delivering quantifiable results under pressure, with tight deadlines, in a fast-paced environment. - Proven team player with outstanding negotiation, interpersonal, professional presentation, and oral and written communication skills, especially in a multi-cultural environment. - Must be mission and outcome driven, and committed to client empowerment and success. - Knowledge of TANF, LEAP, SNAP, CCAP and Medicaid programs and requirements is strongly preferred. - Proficiency with internet applications and MS Office suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams). Familiarity with CBMS, ETO, and/or Salesforce a plus. - Excellent written and oral communication skills, including fluency in verbal and written English. Fluency in one or more languages and cultures of the local refugee population is a plus. - Must possess a valid driver’s license and have access to a reliable, insured personal vehicle.

Working Environment:

- A combination of standard office environment and remote work. - Staff are required to adhere to IRC’s COVID risk mitigation policies. IRC policies may be stricter than federal, state, or local level policies. - Occasional evening and/or weekend work may be required.

Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

COVID-19 Vaccination: In accordance with IRC’s duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards and our commitment to safeguard the health of our employees, clients, and communities, IRC requires new hires to furnish proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be considered for in-office or hybrid positions. All IRC US offices require full vaccination to attend any in-office functions (e.g., meetings, trainings).

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity: IRC is committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate that they can contribute to this goal.

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us at IRC.Denver@rescue.org to request accommodation.

Compensation and Benefits: This is a full-time, regular position classified as non-exempt and eligible for overtime under state and federal law. Starting compensation is $26.00-$29.00 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications. We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, this total compensation package includes: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $120 per month with low to no deductible; dental insurance starting at $7 per month; vision insurance starting at $5 per month; FSA for healthcare, dependent care, and commuter costs; a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested employer matching; disability & life insurance; generous parental leave; and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles. In addition, the IRC in Denver offers annual staff development funds and actively promotes learning and growth for its team members.

Qualifications Update