Opportunities Jobs & Careers

Definition

Part-time/permanent position. Under the supervision of the WIPA Project Manager or Executive Director, the CWIC is responsible for ensuring people with disabilities receive the appropriate services which will enable them to live more independently in the community. The CWIC will coordinate and develop work incentive benefits analysis planning and assistance to beneficiaries who are employed or seeking employment.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Full-time/permanent, At-Will employee working for an Independent Living Center (ILC), whose mission it is to empower individuals with disabilities to have choice and control of their lives. Candidates applying for this position should expect to perform a full range of benefits advising and support duties related to this mission and will be expected to demonstrate appropriate office-related computer skills.

This position requires having the ability to communicate in an effective, polite, and professional manner with individuals of various cognitive and communication abilities, as well as having the ability to maintain good judgment, discretion, and confidentiality.

Supervision Received & Exercised

This position works under general supervision, working alone on routine or regular work assignments and reporting to the WIPA Project Manager or Executive Director on non-routine assignments or when in doubt as to the correct procedures to follow.

• Provide benefits advising and work incentives to consumers. CWIC’s will provide planning and assistance to persons with disabilities (and their families) who are potentially eligible to participate in Federal and State work incentive programs.
• Conduct outreach efforts to persons with disabilities. Facilitate public forums relating to services provided.
• Work with Federal, State, and private agencies/nonprofit organizations that serve Persons with Disabilities with emphasis on SSA.
• Provide information on the adequacy of health benefits coverage that may be offered by an employer to persons with disabilities, including other such coverage that may be available.
• Conduct intakes and assessments and provide case file management and documentation, including research related to specified fields.
• Provide work incentives planning and assistance directly to beneficiaries to assist with employment efforts.
• Help develop educational materials to facilitate understanding and use of work incentives.
• Understands communications and models Independent Living Philosophy.
• Submit a quarterly report that emphasizes WIPA deliverables and outcomes.
• Provide SSA work incentives outreach, trainings, and technical assistance to community members and human service workers.
• Demonstrate knowledge of SSA field office structure and how to work with various SSA Work Incentive specialists such as AWIC’s, PASS Specialist and Work Incentive Liaison.
• Conduct outreach efforts in collaboration with SSA’s Program Manager for Recruitment and Outreach (PMRO) contractor to beneficiaries and their families who are potentially eligible to participate in work incentive programs.
• Screen and refer beneficiaries with disabilities to the appropriate employment networks.
• Show knowledge of SSA’s SSDI and SSI disability program and work incentives as well as other federal, state, and local work incentive programs and be able to communicate this knowledge to beneficiaries so they understand.
• Experience using Microsoft Office 2010 and various database software.
• Various other duties as assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The knowledge and ability requirements are representative of essential duties. Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Knowledge of:

• Benefits Summary and Analysis.
• SSI, SSDI work incentives and Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE).
• Organizations and services available to people with disabilities.
• Understanding the concepts of the Independent Living philosophy.
• Methods of data collection.

Ability to:

• Analyze data and formulate successful solutions.
• Understand the sensitivity to the needs of persons with disabilities and diverse populations.
• Be self-motivated with good verbal, written and organizational skills.
• Successfully relate to and communicate with people with disabilities and their families.
• Conduct intake and assessments of all consumers seeking WIPA services.
• Maintain a large number of consumer files.
• Read and understand rules, policies, and procedures.
• Use good judgment, discretion, and maintain confidentiality.

Physical Standards:

• Mobility: ability to sit for long periods, move about an office, stand occasionally, and reach above and below desk level.
• Dexterity: fine manipulation sufficient to operate a computer keyboard, handle individual papers, write, and take notes.
• Visual Requirements: close vision sufficient to read files, documents, and computer screens and do close-up work; ability to adjust focus frequently.
• Hearing/Talking: ability to communicate with people with disabilities.
• Interpersonal Skills: ability to make decisions and concentrate; frequent contact with others including public contact; frequent deadlines and time-limited assignments.

Additional Skills Desirable but Not Required:

• Fluent, accurate, spoken, and written Spanish
• American Sign Language (ASL).

• A.A., A.S., B.A. or B.S. degree in human services or related field and significant experience with disability issues.
• Knowledge and understanding the concepts of the Independent Living philosophy.
• Self-motivated with good verbal, written, and organizational skills.
• Experience working with people with disabilities is strongly desirable.

DRAIL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. To request an alternative format of this document, or further information concerning the position, please email info@drail.org.