Elder Benefits Specialist
Elder Benefit Specialist (EBS)
Hours: 35 hours/week: M-F Days – Core office hours are 8-4 with flexible scheduling to meet client needs.
Sawyer County Health and Human Services’ mission is to respond to the health and safety of Sawyer County residents and promote the self-sufficiency and general welfare of the individual and community. Join our dedicated and mission-driven team as an Elder Benefit Specialist and enjoy the rewarding opportunity to see your essential work positively impact those around you every day.
To provide Sawyer County residents aged 60 and older with information, assistance, and advocacy in the three main priority areas of public benefits, housing, and consumer issues. The EBS is also responsible for coordinating outreach and education to elders, service providers and professionals in the community. The EBS acts as a consultant to other service providers and professionals. Position supervised by Adult Long Term Care Unit Supervisor for day-to-day operations in collaboration with an EBS Program Attorney who provides direct case oversight,
Minimum of a Bachelor of Arts or Science degree from an accredited program, preferably in a human services related field. At least 1 year of full-time experience in a health or human services field working directly with elders. Qualified work experience may be paid or unpaid and may include internships, field placements, and volunteer work. Working knowledge of and/or experience with public benefits (e.g., Medicare, Medicaid, SSDI, etc.) and health insurance is preferred. A minimum of 1-year experience in computer use and keyboarding. A valid Wisconsin Driver’s License and reliable transportation for regular commute throughout the county. Must successfully complete new worker training as required by Wisconsin DHS and the ADRC-N.
How to Apply:
Interested applicants must complete and submit a Sawyer County employment application. Applications can be submitted electronically through the Sawyer County website at: www.sawyercountygov.org
Application Deadline:
This position will remain open until filled. Applications will be reviewed as they are received.
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Title: Elder Benefit Specialist (EBS)
Department: Sawyer County Health and Human Services
Reports to: Adult Long Term Care Unit Supervisor/Program Attorney
Purpose of Position:
To provide Sawyer County residents aged 60 and older with information, assistance, and advocacy in the three main priority areas of public benefits, housing, and consumer issues. The EBS is also responsible for coordinating outreach and education to elders, service providers and professionals in the community. The EBS acts as a consultant to other service providers and professionals. Position supervised by Adult Long Term Care Unit Supervisor for day-to-day operations in collaboration with an EBS Program Attorney who provides direct case oversight.
Essential Functions:
The duties and responsibilities described below are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Job duties are assigned and the employee uses initiative to meet recurring objectives. The EBS Program Attorney is consulted on case decisions prior to completion of new worker training and provides ongoing substantive case oversight.
· Treat all clients with respect and dignity
· Provide outreach and public education for Sawyer County elders through the development of: a regular schedule for on-site office hours; monthly visits to each Sawyer County meal site; informational materials; written newspaper/newsletter, radio and social media articles and outreach; presentations or appearances in-person, or through online conferencing sites, radio, TV and social media, if appropriate; maintain the Sawyer County EBS website; carries an ongoing public relations role
· Conduct home visits countywide when necessary and provide information to alert individuals of their rights, benefits, and entitlements
· Provide health and long-term care insurance benefits counseling. Act as client advocate on insurance issues, including identifying opportunities to change insurances and submitting complaints to the Office of Commissioner of Insurance
· Provide accurate and current information regarding eligibility for all publicly funded disability benefits and private services available to Sawyer County elders
· Assist and advise individuals by identifying potential benefits, entitlements, or reimbursements
· Assist clients in completing eligibility forms when a client is unable to do so and when no other assistance is available
· Provide advice in areas permitted by law for non-attorneys to individuals on issues involving rights, benefits, or entitlements
· Provide direct advocacy under the supervision from the EBS Program Attorneys on behalf of elders in cases involving rights, benefits, or entitlements
· Explore alternatives for financial assistance
· Conduct intake, interview, and evaluation and determine appropriateness of initiating a case through necessary screening, research and investigation then assess likelihood of public benefit eligibility of each client, screen for priority service
· Secure verification and documentation of required information, and submit required documentation to the appropriate agency as requested by the client
· Prepare, transcribe, query, and enter information into appropriate computer systems
· Comprehend the intent and effects of documents pertaining to bank accounts, insurance policies, mortgages, rental agreements, interest, stocks, bonds, divestments, tax forms, retirement and Social Security payments, pay stubs, and bankruptcy
· Maintain confidential, organized, detailed and carefully documented case files for each client/case
· Interpret regulations and standards set forth in policy manuals accurately and logically
· Identify issues/problems that elders are encountering and refers to EBS program attorneys or other appropriate resources, services, agencies, or private attorneys
· Determine the accuracy of information and reconcile discrepancies
· Maintain current knowledge of public benefits available to elders in the areas of health care financing, income maintenance, home and community-based services, consumer finance, and other elder law areas
· Participate in and complete ongoing training as required by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and the Aging and Disability Resource Center of the North (ADRC-N)
· Complete required daily/monthly/quarterly/annual reports and comply with all established policies and procedures of the state and county
· Participate in regional, local and individual meetings and training as required
· Under direction of the supervising attorney, prepare factual evidence and briefs for appeal of denied benefits; provide advocacy and representation in matters which require review, waiver, reconsideration, including hearings before an administrative law judge
· Initiate advocacy which has consequence of broad significance in preserving, protecting, and expanding the rights and benefits of older persons.
· Coordinate with local Pro-Bono Attorney Program and make appropriate referrals
· Make referrals to other agencies and services, when appropriate
· Perform all other duties as assigned
· QUALIFICATIONS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
· Personal and professional integrity
· Ability to advocate on behalf of elders
· Ability to work collaboratively with clients, staff, the public, community agencies, programs, and resources
· Self-directive, innovative, and able to exercise sound judgment
· Ability to interview clients skillfully and tactfully
· Ability to maintain confidentiality
· Ability to explain complex programs
· Ability to make mathematical computations
· Ability to gather facts and record them accurately
· Ability to work independently and use effective time management techniques
· Ability to meet multiple timelines
· Excellent oral and written communication skills
· Deal with sensitivity to the needs of people with different cultural, environmental, and social backgrounds
· Analyze data, solve problems, and make logical decisions
· Write and prepare a variety of statistical reports, records, and charts
· Ability to read, interpret, and apply regulations governing eligibility for benefits and work with supervising attorney for clarification
· Input, access, and analyze data using a computer terminal
· Accept agency philosophy, purpose, and objectives
· Ability to attend and successfully complete initial and ongoing trainings as required by Chapter 9 of the Wisconsin Aging Network Manual of Policies, Procedures and Technical Assistance
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL ABILITIES REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Ability to analyze data and information using established criteria in order to determine consequences and to identify and select alternatives. Ability to compare, count, differentiate, measure, copy, record, and transcribe data and information. Ability to classify, compute, tabulate, and categorize data. Ability to counsel, mediate and advocate. Ability to persuade, convince, and train others. Ability to advise and provide interpretation regarding the application of policies, procedures, and standards to specific situations.
Physical Requirements
Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time while performing duties. Ability to drive. Ability to work “in the field” including in clients’ homes or at senior meal sites. Ability to perform physical demands such as seeing, hearing, and color perception to make judgments both in the office and out in the field.
Ability to operate a variety of office equipment including computer terminal, typewriter, telephone, fax machine, calculator/adding machine, and photocopier. Ability to coordinate eyes, hands, feet, and limbs in performing movements requiring moderate skill, such as data entry. Ability to sustain prolonged visual concentration. Ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling.
Environmental Adaptability
Ability to work under safe conditions where exposure to environmental factors such as repetitive computer keyboard use poses a very limited risk of injury.
CLOSING STATEMENT:
This description has been prepared to assist in evaluating responsibilities, duties, and skills of the position. The duties listed above are intended as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the County and employee and is subject to change by the County as the needs of the County and the requirements of the position change.
election Guidelines
Formal application, rating or education and experience; oral interview and reference check. A state background check is required.
The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.
Sawyer County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with representatives of Sawyer County.
https://sawyercounty.criterionhcm.com/jobs/513/1/
Deadline Note: