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WIPA Program Manager

POSITION SUMMARY The Program Manager/Senior CWIC duties and responsibilities: responsible for oversight of the WIPA Project and reports directly to the Executive Director. The Program Director/Senior CWIC serves as the single central point of entry for the CBFL/HCIL Gulf Coast WIPA program. The WIPA Program Manager/Senior Community Work Incentives Coordinator (PD/Senior CWIC) must have a minimum of five years of management specifically related to technical assistance work incentives. They must have proven skills in providing work incentives counseling, proficient at conducting independent research, and able to assist CWICS when needed. They must provide direct supervision, direction, and guidance to Community Work Incentives Coordinator staff. PD/Senior CWIC is responsible to conduct and/or assign certified CWIC duties for CBFL/HCIL project when vacancies occur until new hire CWIC has successfully completed the WIPA certification process, as needed. They must ensure that project goals, objectives and benchmarks are met, as well as other delegated management tasks. All certified CWICS will provide counseling and assistance to SSI/SSDI recipients with disabilities between the ages 14-64, who are considering entering, returning, or advancing in employment through CBFL/HCIL’s Gulf Coast Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) Project, CWICS outreach to beneficiaries, employment related organizations, disability service providers, educational entities providing services to youth with disabilities and transition specialists and others who need information about the Social Security Work Incentives and Ticket to Work Program. CWICs must be able to travel independently throughout the project's geographically assigned service delivery area. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

•Directly supervise CBFL/HCIL WIPA CWICS staff and report in a timely manner any personnel, performance, and/or incident activities of all CWICs under supervision.•Complete project reporting for compliance of cooperative agreement.•Meet the benchmarks of the HCIL Gulf Coast WIPA and the National WIPA as per the agreements.•In a timely manner, ensure that employee policies and procedures are followed, i.e., PARS, monthly reporting, agency outreach forms, in-town and out-of- town work related travel check requests, etc.•Conduct and document weekly staff meetings to ensure quality assurance in WIPA consumer service delivery, funding source(s) compliance requirements are met.•Ensure that all CWIC staff adhere to and properly utilize SSA assigned laptops and the ETO database per funding source(s) training and directives.

•Emphasize employment by using work incentives planning, leading to greater self-sufficiency and employment for beneficiaries with disabilities to CWIC staff and SSI/SSDI beneficiaries.

•Ensure all CWICS deliver services customized to meet the specific needs of beneficiariesat the contemplative, preparatory, job search, and employment stages ofthe employment continuum. These services can be delivered one-on-one and in small groups with SSI and SSDI recipients.

•Participate in on-going training, and consistently use the array of available technical support resources (online resources, WIPA Project networking options, SSA, WIPA National Training Center and supplemental trainings, or other local or state resources.

•Provide accurate, up-to-date information about Social Security, Labor, Medicaid/Medicare, benefits, etc., to SSI and SSDI beneficiaries.

•Develop written benefits management plans and provide ongoing support and counsel to SSI/SSDI recipients and families of recipients who desire to enter, return, or advance in employment. Refer beneficiaries to WorkSource Centers, state VR agency, employment networks, as well as other organizations that provide seamless employment related supports and ticket assignments.

•Provide ongoing follow-up assistance to beneficiaries who have previously received work incentives planning and assistance, including updates to their benefits management plan.

•Ensure that the Gulf Coast WIPA division performs outreach and referral duties that include but are not limited to: using quality marketing material in making presentations about the WIPA project and the Social Security work incentives to audiences of consumers (e.g., youth with disabilities, veterans with disabilities, and underserved minority populations)generic and specialized providers, family members, educators, etc., which may require extensive travel throughout the 13 Gulf Coast Counties required.

•Maintain effective communication with project partner organizations, such as WorkSource Centers, SSA offices, school districts, asset building community partners AFIA grantees, State IDAs (Individual Development Account) and financial literacy programs and other service agencies, on a regular basis.

•Prepare progress reports, project correspondence, consumer files, public service announcements and newsletter articles as requested.

•Ensure as each CWIC gathers data about other resources within the community during outreach and referral duties, each CWIC brings new information back to HCIL for inclusion in its community resource database that will assist beneficiaries in their employment goals.

•Ensure CWICs understand and subscribe to the independent living philosophy of consumer control and consumer directed services and opportunities for people with disabilities working in concert with independent living staff members to ensure successful outcomes for SSI/SSDI beneficiaries who want to start and or/return to work.

•Develop and implement consumer-based content to educate consumers about work incentive programs and how to research and maximize available resources to improve work-related goals and objectives through the agency education platform.

•Perform other administrative/management work related duties and tasks as assigned by the Executive Director.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

•Complete current training course(s) authorized by SSA and satisfactory completion of all SSA WIPA certification requirements.

•Must have a minimum of five (5) years’ direct supervision and management of staffexperience.

•Basic math skills with an emphasis on problem solving.

•Deductive abilities with analytical thinking and creative problem-solving skills.

•Good interviewing skills; understands “customer service” principles and methods.

•Ability to interpret Federal laws, regulations, and administrative code about publicbenefits.

•Effective verbal and written (alternative formats acceptable) communication skills.

•Knowledge of disability, medical terminology, and awareness of political, cultural, andsocial issues pertaining to various diverse groups and groups of disabilities.

•Basic computer skills, e.g., word processing, data entry into database, email, and use ofthe Internet to search for information, print information and distribute to others.

•Knows when she or he does not know the answer and is not hesitant to say, “I don’tknow, but we’ll find out,” then knows where to look and find.

•Counseling and evaluation skills: adult-to-adult and peer-to-peer.

•Ability to become proficient in:

SSI and SSDI programs – benefits, eligibility, how to use, structure, field offices, various positions within those offices and the “big picture” of the system.
All public benefits programs (including operations and inter-relationships).
Translating technical knowledge into training for lay people.
Accessing information in a variety of ways and excellent interpersonal skills.
Ethical standards and how they apply to benefits work (particularly in conflict of interest and confidentiality concerns.)
Punctual with good attendance.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING REQUIRED:

•Bachelor’s degree in social services, rehabilitation counseling, liberal arts or related fields, Masters preferred. Comparable work experience may be substituted for the Bachelor’s/Master's degree.

•Certificate or continuing education in counseling, inter-personal skills, benefits planning and assistance, public presentations, writing for marketing purposes through college or university courses or private sector course work is desired.

•Certifications or continuing education in social service systems, benefits systems, disability programs, medical model services is highly desirable. Proven personal knowledge may be substituted for certifications or continuing education credits.

SUITABILITY DETERMINATON AS REQUIRED BY SSA

CWICS must receive a favorable Suitability Determination at a level five (5) from Social Security and must have a copy of the notification letter on file at the CBFL/HCIL Corporate office. All CWICS will be required to submit necessary information on and documentation using the latest SSA required Suitability database. If there are any SSA exceptions to this guideline, CBFL/HCIL administration will notify CWIC staff.

OTHER CONDITIONS

•Background checks are mandatory.

•Job availability is depending on grant funds.

Pay: $51,910.32 - $58,000.00 per year

Benefits: