Position Announcement
Project Director of Benefits InfoSource

Purpose: The position is responsible for the overall operations of this statewide project designed to provide: 1) accurate work incentives planning and assistance directly to Social Security beneficiaries with disabilities to assist them in their employment efforts; and 2) outreach to beneficiaries, employment related organizations, disability service providers, special education transition coordinators, and other groups and individuals who need information about the Social Security Work Incentives and the Ticket to Work Program.

Qualifications: The person filling this position should have at least a Bachelor’s Degree from a four year college or university, a minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in disability services, and expertise in use of the Social Security Work Incentives or the ability to successfully complete coursework delivered by Social Security and/or successfully pass a certification exam. Expertise in computer applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook. Strong interpersonal skills are essential. The ability to manage multiple tasks in a given workday is needed. Personal experience with disability is desirable.

Specific Responsibilities:

1. Conduct varied outreach activities on ongoing basis to advise beneficiaries with disabilities, family members and providers about the Benefits InfoSource Project.
2. Provide callers to the Project’s Information and Assistance line with answers to their questions with written and verbal information about the Social Security Work Incentives.
3. Provide or arrange for individualized work incentives planning and assistance with beneficiaries who are considering returning to or enter the workforce.
4. Maintain a database that includes information required by the project funding source concerning services delivered and outcomes.
5. Develop positive relationships with Social Security Administration offices, One-Stop Career Centers and Division of Rehabilitation Services offices, employment networks, Maryland Disability Law Center and technical assistance center.
6. Supervise Community Work Incentives Coordinators (CWIC) and any work assigned to the Clerical Assistant.
7. Participate in the evaluation of project efforts and outcomes.
8. Prepare and submit all required progress reports to Social Security, public service announcements, newsletter articles and other written material for the public.
9. Perform related work as required to assure Project effectiveness and efficiency.

Position Announcement
Community Work Incentives Coordinator (CWIC)

Be a part of a enthusiastic team of professionals who reach out to local Maryland communities to provide life changing support and information to persons who experience disabilities.

We focus our services on assisting the aspiring worker or employee who is receiving financial assistance from the Social Security Administrations program(s) for persons who experience a disability which has impacted their involvement in work activity, the SSI or SSDI programs.

We provide information and assistance which helps a person to “unlock the door” to engaging in work activity. Find out how you can help and if this job is right for you!

Background: Independence Now is a non-profit organization created by and for people with disabilities. We are a resource and advocacy center that promotes independent living and equal access for people with all types of disabilities. Benefits INfoSource is a Social Security Administration (SSA) funded work incentives planning and assistance project of Independence Now.

Purpose: The position is responsible for providing accurate work incentives planning and assistance directly to Social Security beneficiaries with disabilities to assist them in their employment efforts and provide information about the Social Security Work Incentives and Ticket to Work Program.

Specific Responsibilities:

1. Emphasize employment through the use of work incentives planning, leading to greater self-sufficiency and employment for beneficiaries with disabilities.
2. Refer beneficiaries to One Stop Career Centers, DORS, employment networks, as well as other organizations that provide seamless employment related supports and ticket assignments.
3. Assist beneficiaries with disabilities to resolve problems related to work efforts, higher education and work attainment/continuation of work.
4. Provide ongoing, comprehensive work incentives monitoring and management assistance to beneficiaries who are employed or seeking employment on a scheduled, continuous basis.
5. Provide written individualized benefits analyses to beneficiaries.
6. Provide ongoing direct assistance to a beneficiary in the development of a written work incentives management plan to guide the effective use of Federal, State and local benefits programs including general information on the adequacy of health benefits coverage by a beneficiary’s employer.
7. Provide intensive assistance to beneficiaries, their key stakeholders, and their support teams in making informed choices and establishing employment related goals.
8. Provide ongoing follow up assistance to beneficiaries who have previously received work incentives planning and assistance.
9. Assist beneficiaries to update work incentive management plans.
10. Collaborate with SSA’s Program Manager for Recruitment and Outreach (PMRO) to conduct outreach to beneficiaries about the use of work incentives to work.
11. Make presentations about the Social Security Work Incentives to audiences of consumers, generic and specialized providers, family members and educators. (Some travel in assigned area of state is required.)
12. Prepare progress reports, project correspondence, consumer files, and newsletter articles as requested.
13. Perform related work as required.

Qualifications: The person in this position should have at least a Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field. S/he should possess a minimum of one year of experience in working with persons with disabilities, and a familiarity with public and private benefits programs for people with disabilities. Former social security disability beneficiaries may substitute up to two years of full time work for the education requirement if they can demonstrate that they used SSA work incentives to successfully gain employment. Within three months of employment, the CWIC will be expected to complete a training course authorized by the Social Security Administration and satisfactorily complete a test of knowledge about the work incentives. The CWIC must have a knowledge of computer applications, including Microsoft Outlook and Word. Strong interpersonal skills are essential. Personal experience with disability is desirable.

To Apply: Send resume, three references and cover letter, explaining personal and professional experience with disability and salary requirements to:
CWIC Search
Independence Now
1400 Spring St., # 400
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Or fax to: 301-588-3951
Or email to: jobs@innow.org

Visit our web site at: www.innow.org