Job Title: Work Incentives Counselor/Practitioner – 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: $24 - $29 per hour

Schedule: Part-Time, 20 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

A Work Incentives Counselor/Practitioner plays a crucial role in assisting individuals with disabilities to navigate the complexities of work-related benefits and incentives. The primary goal is to empower individuals to achieve and maintain employment while maximizing their financial well-being. A Work Incentives Counselor/Practitioner provides guidance and support to individuals with disabilities, helping them understand and access work-related benefits, incentives, and resources. The counselor aims to facilitate successful employment outcomes while minimizing the impact on disability benefits.

RESPONSIBILITES

• Evaluate the impact of employment on disability benefits and financial assistance programs.

• Educate clients on the various work incentives and benefits available to them, including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid, Medicare, and other relevant programs.

• Provide clear explanations of how employment may affect benefits and assist clients in making informed decisions.

• Offer one-on-one counseling sessions to clients, addressing their specific concerns and questions related to work and benefits.

• Develop personalized plans to help clients achieve and maintain employment while optimizing their financial situation.

• Interface with government agencies, employers, and other stakeholders to resolve benefit-related issues.

• Conduct workshops, seminars, and training sessions to raise awareness about work incentives and benefits within the community.

• Maintain accurate and confidential records of client interactions, assessments, and plans.

• Prepare reports on program outcomes, success stories, and challenges for internal and external stakeholders.

• Stay up to date on changes in disability benefits policies, employment laws, and related regulations.

• Provide monthly reports to supervisor on status of cases.

• Other duties as assigned.

SKILLS

• Knowledge of disability benefits programs, Social Security rules, and employment-related regulations.

• 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 employment process.

• 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 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 in counseling or advocacy roles, especially with individuals with disabilities.

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 current CPWIC OR WIP-C certification upon 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" for the first 90 days of employment. All duties must be performed at the office. After successful completion of the 90-day period, 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.