Benefits Specialist

LIFEMOVES • Santa Clara, CA

5d • $26 - $39 • Onsite

About The Position

LifeMoves is the largest and most effective provider of housing and services for neighbors experiencing homelessness in Silicon Valley since 1987. Our Mission is to end homelessness by providing interim housing, supportive services, and building collaborative partnerships. With 40 programs , LifeMoves gives our neighbors experiencing homelessness a temporary place to call home while providing intensive, customized case management through site-based programs and community outreach. POSITION PURPOSE The Benefit Specialist reports to the Education and Specialized Services Team and may support many programs. This role supports clients and Case Managers by offering expert guidance on benefits, employment, and/or housing resources. The Specialist may work 1:1 with clients to check eligibility for programs and train Case Managers to stay current on new opportunities. They also monitor policy changes to make sure clients and staff get the most up-to-date information and resources. Specialists are experts in their field and ensure clients and staff are well prepared on the complexities of benefits, employment, and housing. The position plays a key role in supporting people moving toward safe, stable housing and greater self-sufficiency. They provides case management services, life skills support, and resource connections and work in partnership with clients to set goals, celebrate progress, and overcome challenges. Using a trauma-informed and strengths-based approach, this position builds trust and respect, making sure clients feel heard, valued, and supported throughout their journey. Key responsibilities include supporting clients by connecting them to services, building support networks, facilitating groups and activities, advocating for equitable access, and providing crisis intervention when needed. Beyond working directly with clients, this role may help to improve the overall program by sharing ideas, identifying service gaps, and helping strengthen community relationships. This role maintains clear documentation, contributes to program planning and reporting, and models professional, ethical behavior and works closely with their teammates to provide high-quality, coordinated care. Through their efforts, staff empower clients to grow their strengths, reach their goals, and build a better future.

Requirements

• Educational Requirements: Associate's Degree in related field preferred; or High School Diploma/GED with 2-5 years of equivalent experience in related field. Related fields may include direct involvement in peer advocacy, community outreach, housing services or roles within the homelessness services field.
• Technology: Comfortable using basic technology, including phone and messaging systems, email, Microsoft and Google Suites, and databases to complete administrative tasks and case management, reporting, and tracking outcomes.
• Service Level Qualifications: Care, Respect, Empathy: Demonstrates empathy, professionalism, and respect for all individuals.
• Emotional Regulation: Stays calm and supportive in stressful situations and uses de-escalation skills.
• Documentation: Maintains clear documentation and organization.
• Organization/Prioritization: Organized, detail-oriented, and proactive.
• Care Level Qualifications: Advocacy Skills: Actively advocates for clients in accessing benefits, navigating systems, and ensuring equitable treatment across agencies.
• Resource Identification: Able to identify and connect clients to housing, employment, health, and social services by leveraging community resources effectively.
• Research Skills: Uses strong analytical skills to research, track, and resolve client needs.
• Partnership Engagement: Builds and maintains collaborative relationships with community organizations and service providers through communication and collaboration skills to strengthen client support networks.
• Group Facilitation Skills: Confident leading group discussions or workshops that promote learning, collaboration, and empowerment.
• Specific Knowledge: Specialized demonstrated knowledge in benefits and resources.
• COMPETENCIES Job Knowledge: Understands job duties and performs tasks with accuracy.
• Commitment to Growth: Demonstrates a selfless commitment to others on the team, including activity-based dependability, self-improvement activities. Actively seeks opportunities to contribute at higher levels in service to LifeMoves and others on the team.
• Performance Improvement: Sets performance goals, establishes the approach, creates a learning environment.
• Time Management and Reliability: Manages workload effectively and meets deadlines.
• Proactive Collaboration: Actively seeks opportunities to partner with colleagues across teams and functions. Shares knowledge, communicates openly, and anticipates needs to support collective goals. Builds trust by contributing ideas, offering assistance, and ensuring alignment to achieve results together.
• A valid [State] driver’s license and reliable transportation are required.
• Must be able to travel throughout Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties as part of regular duties.
• Must maintain vehicle insurance as required by law and agency policy.

Nice To Haves

• Associate's Degree in related field preferred

Responsibilities

• Client Support and Case Management Develop and maintain individualized case plans focused on housing, employment, benefits, and overall well-being, based on each client’s strengths and goals.
• Support clients with housing searches, employment readiness, benefits enrollment (e.g., General Assistance, CalFresh, CAPI), and skill-building activities such as budgeting and daily living.
• Connect clients to healthcare providers and community resources, and assist with coordination, scheduling, and transportation as needed.
• Maintain accurate and timely client documentation and outcome tracking in HMIS and the agency’s client management system.
• Advocate for client needs and rights when working with partners, landlords, employers, or service agencies; provide mediation and conflict resolution support as needed.
• Provide calm, trauma-informed crisis response and ensure all client services align with ethical standards and agency values.
• Resource Connection and Community Collaboration Build and maintain partnerships with community organizations, public agencies, and system partners (e.g., VA, APS, CPS, Probation) to support clients and improve access to resources.
• Serve as a liaison between LifeMoves and community stakeholders by sharing information, coordinating services, and promoting trauma-informed care practices.
• General Agency Responsibilities Participate in weekly case conferences, monthly trainings, and regular supervision to strengthen skills.
• Fully participate in all required trainings. This includes completing trainings by assigned deadlines, actively engaging during sessions, and applying what you learn to your daily work.
• Attend continuing education opportunities to grow expertise and uphold agency standards.
• Be available to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed or as schedule describes.
• Perform other duties as assigned to meet program and organizational needs.
• Specialization Responsibilities Develop and track individualized housing, employment, and benefits plans.
• Build and maintain relationships with landlords and housing providers to expand housing options.
• Support clients and staff through each step of the housing and employment process, from search to move-in and job placement.
• Facilitate workshops on job readiness, financial literacy, and housing stability; train staff on benefits programs.
• Participate in professional development to maintain housing, employment, and benefits expertise.

Benefits

• This rewarding role offers a competitive annual base salary and an opportunity to participate in the LifeMoves benefits package.
• LifeMoves is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) committed to building a culturally diverse staff representing the communities we serve. We provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, physical or mental disability (non-disqualifying), sexual orientation, membership or non-membership in an employee organization, personal favoritism, lived experiences or any other non-merit-based factor.
• Mileage reimbursement is provided in accordance with agency policy.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees