Job Title: Benefits Navigator I – Transitional Housing

Department: Center for Opportunity, Rehabilitation, and Employment (CORE)

Reports To: Program Manager

Location: Denver, Colorado

Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm, some evenings and weekends

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Salary Range: $20.50 - $25.00 per hour

Schedule: Full-Time, 40 hours per week

Revised: December 3, 2023

MISSION

We seek to create hope, opportunity, and choice, with work as the means through which people with disabilities and other hurdles to employment can more fully participate in the mainstream of life. For 50 years Bayaud Enterprises has been an innovator in the community in reducing hurdles for individuals to engage in the workforce and attain self -reliance. We do this through personalized Employment Services, Social Enterprises (Business Solutions) which provide employment for those needing supported employment, and Individual and Community Services like providing free laundry with the Laundry Truck and support in finding housing and accessing different resource programs through the help of our Navigators. We create Hope, help to find Opportunities, and inspire Choices.

DEPARTMENT

Bayaud Enterprises partners with Federal, State, as well as multiple City, County, and private entities to bring various services to the residents of our state. The services we provide range from disability benefits acquisitions to paid work experience and employment discovery and job search to anyone with a hurdle to employment. Constantly evolving to meet the needs of the people we serve, this department's primary focus is relationship building, stakeholder, and partnership/collaborator outreach. From these efforts we will shape the future of workforce development, career pathway planning, and develop programs to meet established and emerging needs in the field.

SUMMARY

This position is considered entry-level. The goal of a Benefits Navigator I, under guidance of experienced Benefits Navigators, is to assist disabled adults and children in applying for and obtaining Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and/or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) utilizing the SOAR (SSI/SSDI Outreach Access and Recovery) model. Applying all SOAR methodologies from eligibility screening through claim decision; working closely with claimants, internal staff, Social Security Administration (SSA), and Disability Determination Services (DDS). Providing referrals to programs and services that will increase wellbeing, provide appropriate support and treatment such as long-term care and Health First Colorado (Medicaid).

RESPONSIBILITES

• Perform screening of potential clients for SSI/SSDI eligibility and likelihood of approval.

• Assist in SSI/SSDI benefit acquisition, utilizing SOAR model principles including screening review, application assistance including completion of all required forms, writing, and submitting medical summary reports (MSR), representation on the claim when appropriate, and quality review of all applicable documentation and processes.

• Manage an ongoing caseload of initial and first reconsideration claims.

• Collaborate with the referring case manager/navigator to connect participants to services and resource acquisition including but not limited to SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, Medicare, and Long-Term Care Medicaid or Aid to Needy Disabled (AND) or Old Age Pension (OAP) as appropriate.

• Request and maintain medical, physiological, school, work records in compliance with HIPPA and confidentiality statutes, regulations, and rules.

• Read and interpret medical, mental health, and educational records with attention to detail for tests and verbiage that are significant for Social Security Disability eligibility.

• Utilizing information from records reviewed, craft a MSR for inclusion in the application.

• Identify proper forms and obtain signatures on all the required forms and documentation.

• Maintain regular contact with participants at least monthly, responding promptly to participants.

• Assist with medical/mental health appointments or regulatory appointments with participants.

• Maintain regular contact with medical providers as well as DDS and SSA including supporting attendance for Consultive Exams (CE's).

• Complete timely and accurate collection of data across multiple databases including intake and maintenance.

• Provide monthly reports to supervisor on status of cases.

• Other duties as assigned.

SKILLS

• Desire to become knowledgeable of the environment and systems through which clients must move to access programs and services.

• Basic understanding of the challenges and barriers faced when experiencing poverty, mental and/or physical disabilities and/or other barriers, regarding how trauma can impact the housing process.

• Ability to read, understand, and interpret medical diagnoses and data.

• Ability to research unfamiliar terms and diagnoses located in records for the purpose of writing the MSR.

• Exceptional attention to detail and highly organized.

• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to establish working relationships with various entities.

• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal), grammar, and reasoning skills.

• Solid understanding of Microsoft 365 and its various programs.

• Commitment to working within an integrated services model.

• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information without breach.

• Crisis intervention skills supporting individuals with mental, physical, or other disabilities.

• Ability to coordinate and prioritize numerous activities, resources, and deadlines.

• Ability to work successfully in a team environment while managing projects independently.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma/GED.

• 1 years' experience working with or 2 years of volunteer experience engaging with people experiencing homelessness, physical or mental health disabilities strongly preferred.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Valid driver's license with the ability to pass Bayaud's motor vehicle carrier's insurance requirements.

• Pass background check for working with vulnerable populations.

• Proof of SOAR certification (Adult) within 14 days of hire.

• Proof of SOAR certification (Child) within 30 days of hire.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, interpret, and synthesize documents such as federal regulations, medical and psychological records, and data reports to create a compelling case via a written summary report in support of a disability claim. Ability to write other detailed reports and professional correspondence. Ability to speak effectively with participants, community partners and federal and state stakeholders. Bilingual (Spanish) may qualify for an increased salary offer.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area. Ability to develop a participant budget, calculate dates/times and track income changes.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret and variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and use hands. The employee frequently is required to talk or hear; the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to thirty pounds. Specific vision abilities by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment will be a combination of a temperature-controlled office environment and in the field meeting with participants in the Colorado weather. The home base of work is within the transitional housing site.

ALTERNATIVE WORK PLAN

This position is not eligible for an "Alternative Work Plan" until it is clearly demonstrated that all skills required to work independently have been established. Upon demonstration, job duties may be arranged as a hybrid in-office and remote work plan.

TRAVEL

Occasional travel within the Denver Metro area. Will drive company vehicle for these purposes. If a personal vehicle is used for work travel, this driver will be reimbursed at the federal rate for mileage.

Equipment Used: PC, telephone, copy machine, fax, postage meter, calculator.