EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANT

We are hiring an EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANT for Catholic Charities to work in the Wellsville Office.

• Part-time
• 20-hour work week
• Generous Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays

JOB SUMMARY:

The Emergency Financial Assistant has a primary duty of responding to emergency needs of individuals that are seeking various types of assistance, including housing, utility assistance, access to food and clothing, healthcare, and additional barriers. The Emergency Financial Assistant will conduct intake assessments for clients who contact emergency assistance in-person, by phone, or through email. The Emergency Financial Assistant will be trained how to complete Public Assistance, SNAP and HEAP applications in order to focus the worker's efforts with a client on longer-term solutions to financial hardship rather than one-time assistance. The Emergency Financial Assistant will work with all Catholic Charities programs and community partners to ensure that our clients have access to services that removes barriers and fulfills their basic needs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provide professional and competent case management services by accurately assessing the presenting issue and engaging the client in a problem-solving conversation to allow the client to self-resolve whenever possible, and when necessary, providing immediate assistance or referral to the most helpful resource available, either by phone, email, or in person
• Remain objective in following program guidelines to determine the level of service for situation
• Document every client interaction in Case Management and track interactions by geographic area and presenting need
• Following phone assessment, immediately respond to incoming assistance requests; travel as necessary
• Continuously develop, update and expand a list of service providers and resources for all issues pertaining to basic needs in Erie County. Maintain professional relationships with key stakeholders in communities of need
• Participate in relevant coalitions in areas of need and contribute to the efforts of these coalitions
• Develop detailed knowledge of TANF, SNAP, HEAP, SSI/SSD and other earned benefit programs to screen and enroll clients in these programs at any location

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor's degree in social work or related field preferred. Associates degree with at least 2 years of case management experience working in the human services field

EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• 2-4 years' experience preferred
• Must possess exceptional interpersonal skills and be comfortable interacting with a diverse clientele including people experiencing poverty, homelessness, severe mental illness and those with trauma history. Must be able to manage challenging behaviors with empathy and tact.
• Must be able to provide competent and personable customer service
• Must possess exceptional communication skills and demonstrate the ability to clearly communicate program guidelines and complex information to clients. Must be able to ask pertinent questions to fully understand the presenting issue and assess the need and possible solutions correctly.
• Familiarity with social work principles, trauma-informed care, solution-focused problem solving and cultural humility strongly preferred
• Familiarity with community resources, social service systems and human service providers in Erie County preferred
• Responds well to high volume walk-in client population of multi-need individuals and families
• Efficiently assess clients' needs, screens, plans and link to internal and external resources
• Computer literacy skills is a must, strong data entry into case management system and documenting skills required
• Knowledge of community resources and ability to work collaboratively with community stakeholders and partners within community settings
• Excellent with time management skills and adheres to Central Intake schedule
• Possess care and compassion towards clients and provide direct support and resources for them
• Demonstrates initiative and professional judgement in a fast-paced environment

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be prepared to work a flexible schedule in order to participate in agency-related activities/events that may take place outside of typical business hours.
• May require travel and agency-required level of auto insurance coverage

Apply today at: ccwny.applicantpro.com/jobs

Catholic Charities serves more than 150,000 Western New Yorkers each year without regard to age, race, gender or religious affiliation. Catholic Charities programs include comprehensive counseling services for all ages, basic emergency assistance including operating 8 food pantries, mental health services, chemical dependency treatment, educational and job readiness services, services to older adults, marriage counseling, immigration and refugee assistance and a variety of programs that address prevention and treatment of a number of family issues.

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