Senior and Disability Advocate

Maine Township is seeking a Senior and Disability Advocate to work at its government office in Park Ridge, Illinois. Senior and Disability Advocate is a full-time salary, 40 hour per week position. This position is responsible in assisting residents with information about senior and disabled resident programs, covering any and all requests pertaining to social services.

The Senior and Disability Advocate requires being a certified SHIP counselor that includes individual maintaining state and local available certification from i.e. SHIP(Senior Health Insurance Program); Medicaid training through the Illinois Department of Human Services; Be familiar with various programs provided by the Social Security Administration, including SSA, SSDI,SSI and Medicare Benefits. Additionally, be knowledgeable of Veterans Administration Benefit Program and its resources. Participate in all other trainings deemed necessary for this position.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

  • Complete all intake procedures and interviews associated with the program(s)
  • Represent the Township at any and all meetings pertaining to the needs of seniors and/or disabled residents within the community
  • To serve on any and all committees designated noteworthy for Senior or Disabled residents within the community
  • Be knowledgeable of programs/community resources for client referrals in the Maine Township community
  • Keep appropriate records/follow-ups on all information requests
  • Be prepared to provide auxiliary services for the senior and disabled residents e.g. Mainelines, Liheap(Energy Assistance and Weatherization programs),Benefit Access, Living Wills, Subsidized and/or Low income Housing, Public Aid/Medicaid, Nursing Home Assistance Program, SHIP(Senior Health Insurance), Social Security Disability, Transportation programs and Community Social Awareness.
  • Assist General Assistance Department with Information and/or Assistance for inquiries regarding Public Aid/Medicaid/SNAP that includes help with completing a application and collecting documents that are required for it, providing proper referrals /resources for township residents, follow-ups when needed for Public Aid.
  • Provide needed support and advocacy for auxiliary programs (a) Liheap (b) Access To Care (c) Mainelines (d) Medicare D Enrollment (e) Benefit Access (f) QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary) (g) SHIP (Senior Health Insurance Program)
  • Assist the reception desk during lunch hours and during high volume programs
  • Be available for other duties and responsibilities

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 accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Organizational skills
  • Communication skills with clients and coworkers
  • Computer proficient
  • Effective Time Management
  • Customer Service

Education and/or Experience                                                         

  • B.A. or B.S. in Social Services, Human Services or Related Field.
  • Proficiency in a second language is a plus.

Computer Skills                                               

  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Fax, scanner, and printers

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

  • Must be a certified SHIP counselor

  • Must certify through CEDA for Liheap and it’s various programs yearly

Salary and Schedule  
                                             
  • Job Type: Full Time – Salary
  • Salary Range:  $45,000 - 50,000 Annual
  • Schedule: 9am-5pm Monday to Friday

Maine Township is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants for employment will be considered without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

To apply, complete an online employment application.