Benefits Specialist

Waukesha County, WI • Waukesha, WI

7d • $27 - $38 • Onsite

About The Position

Waukesha County's Department of Health & Human Services is recruiting for a full-time Disability Benefit Specialist to assist residents aged 17 years and 6 months to 59 years of age. Disability benefits specialists provide benefit counseling including providing information, assistance and advocacy to assist in obtaining and maintaining public and private benefits. Benefit specialists proactively assist the customer to achieve their benefits-related goals.

Requirements

• Graduation from a recognized college or university with a bachelor’s degree in social work, sociology, psychology, or business or public administration, or a closely related field.
• One year of full-time experience in a health or human service field working with the elderly or adults with physical or intellectual/developmental disabilities.
• Comprehensive knowledge of available departmental, governmental, and community resources.
• Considerable knowledge of a wide variety of complex and changing benefit and entitlement programs and their rules, regulations, requirements and interrelationships.
• Considerable knowledge of life issues affecting older adults including insurance, economic support, housing, and long-term care.
• Working knowledge of such legal areas as landlord/tenant law, consumer matters, small claims, elder abuse, and surrogate decision making.
• Working knowledge of the psycho-social and physiological aspects of aging and their effects on the individual.
• Working knowledge of computerized department software, internet access, and database, spreadsheet, and word processing programs.
• Ability to interview, conduct accurate needs assessments, analyze information and take appropriate action.
• Ability to work independently and with little supervision.
• Ability to provide counseling, intervention, and referral services.
• Ability to exercise judgment and creativity in solving problems.
• Ability to gather facts, investigate, and document matters essential to specific cases.
• Ability to read, understand, interpret, and explain complex eligibility criteria and guidelines relating to a wide variety of benefits, entitlements and legal rights.
• Ability to utilize word processing, database, and spreadsheet programs.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to establish and maintain accurate records of a confidential nature.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with adults ages 18-59 and individuals with disabilities
• Proficient with Microsoft office products (PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Bachelor's degree

Responsibilities

• Conducts interviews and assesses the problems presented for type and timeliness of needed intervention.
• Provides information and assistance to resolve a wide range of issues in areas such as benefit applications, medical payments, insurance, housing, consumer matters, small claims, economic support, disability rights, and surrogate decision making.
• Provides accurate, timely and detailed analysis of information and advice regarding types, advantages, and disadvantages of various options for resolution of problems, including referral to appropriate community resources.
• Provides advocacy services in applying for or maintain benefits, writing correspondence for clients, filing appeals, case research, preparing evidence and information, representation at hearings, and negotiating settlements.
• Assists clients with private insurance-related problems by gathering necessary information or acting as liaison for clients with collection agencies.
• Consults with legal assistance provider for guidance and assistance in handling specific cases.
• Maintains knowledge of complex State and Federal laws and regulations regarding current benefits, programs, and services, including program changes and interrelationships.
• Works closely with volunteers in the benefit program; and develops and conducts training and orientation sessions.
• Conducts public sessions to provide information about entitlements, benefits, and community resources and to promote awareness and education on relevant issues.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with program participants, co-workers, community agencies, legislators, attorneys, entitlement agencies, physicians, governmental agencies, and the public.
• Prepares and maintains detailed, timely records and reports.
• Performs other duties as required.

Benefits

• Excellent health/dental/vision
• Life insurance
• Generous paid time off (vacation, 10 holidays, 3 floating holidays, ample accrued sick time that rolls over each year)
• Exceptional pension plan with employer match and lifetime retirement payment
• Optional tax advantaged 457 retirement savings plan
• Pay for performance system
• Performance-based merit increases
• Non-base performance awards
• Balanced work-life culture
• Exceptional employee wellness program that offers a variety of programs and tools to help promote an employee's wellness and health, including an on-site health & wellness clinic
• Professional development opportunities
• On-site fitness center
• Free parking

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level