The first screening of applicants will take place within ten (10) business days from the posting date of this announcement. This position is open for 60 days.
If you like to stay busy and immersed in cultural activities, then Washington, DC is the place to be! Museums, restaurants, great climate, green space, and job opportunities are among the many positives of living in the Nation’s Capital. Not to mention the residents of the District of Columbia are highly educated and the region has some of the best schools in the country. Each day the District of Columbia continues to be ranked in the top 10 of thriving city indicators where you can live, work and play.
INTRODUCTION
This position is located in the Department on Disability Services (DDS), Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), Intake and Outreach Unit (IOU). The mission of the Administration is to provide comprehensive vocational rehabilitation and independent living services to persons with disabilities, which will maximize their quality of life and promote their employability and economic self-sufficiency, independence, inclusion and integration into society, and adjudication of disability claims. The incumbent has the overall responsibility for developing effective and productive relationships with providers, clients, families, staff, and contract benefits specialists.
MAJOR DUTIES
Applicant must have one (1) year of Specialized Experience at the next lower grade level. Four (4) years of related work experience that equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to inform clients of benefits available as they return to work, obtain specific information from SSA regarding client's current benefits and provide this information to VR Specialists to facilitate referrals for more in-depth benefits counseling.
Applicants must have met the qualifications requirement for this position by the closing date to be eligible for this position.
EDUCATION
Degree: behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position and three years of specialized experience
OR
Combination of education and experience that provided the applicant with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.
OR
Four years of appropriate experience that demonstrated that the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.
Licensures, Certifications And Other Requirements
Incumbent must be certified by the Social Security Administration as a Community Work Incentive Coordinator (CWIC) to perform these duties. After receiving certification, the incumbent is expected to continue to stay abreast of all changes and updates and must maintain certification throughout the entirety of their employment through completing no less than 18 continuing education credits by the designated deadline per year and passing the assessments associated with each class. If ALL assessments are not passed, the certification is revoked.
An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
Work Experience/Knowledge Required
Knowledge of federal and District laws, regulations, policies, and procedures regarding vocational rehabilitation, supported employment, and independent living services.
Comprehensive knowledge of Social Security benefits programs of sufficient breadth or intensity to be able to inform the client of work incentive programs and the impact of employment on these benefits and the ability to analyze and correct systems and operational problems, or to engage new methods, procedures, and other guidelines to facilitate the desired outcome.
Knowledge of and ability to interpret District and Federal laws, rules and regulations governing the administration of Social Security and other public benefits programs, basic operations, and inter-relationships among programs, specifically in terms of their impact upon employment.
Knowledge and skill sufficient to resolve a variety of client benefits issues that affect the resolution of problems impacting their return to work or other desired solutions.
Knowledge of terminology used to describe certain disabilities and awareness of cultural and political issues pertaining to various populations and to various disabilities.
Demonstrated competency in interviewing and partnering skills.
Ability to interpret broad procedures and regulations and to coordinate and evaluate implementation of Social Security Administration policies and procedures regarding case development, documentation, and resolution.
Skill in using this knowledge to resolve cases in which issues, circumstances and/or governing provisions require advanced technical proficiency; to decide special entitlement matters; and to perform other similar program related functions.
Skill in the use of a computer.
Collective Bargaining Unit
This position is in the collective bargaining unit represented by local union AFSCME 2401.
Additional Information
Once applications are submitted, applicants will not be able to change their responses to the online questions.
The position for which the individual is applying has been identified and designated as requiring enhanced suitability screening.
If tentatively selected for the position, a criminal background check, traffic record check, consumer credit check, and mandatory drug and alcohol test will be conducted (as appropriate); and
The appointee to the position may be offered employment contingent upon receipt of a satisfactory enhanced suitability screening.
Work Schedule
This position requires 4 days a week in the office.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. Your application includes your resume, responses to the online questions, and required supporting documents. Please be sure that your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position; failure to provide sufficient evidence in your resume will result in a "not qualified" determination.
EEO Statement
The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.
If you like to stay busy and immersed in cultural activities, then Washington, DC is the place to be! Museums, restaurants, great climate, green space, and job opportunities are among the many positives of living in the Nation’s Capital. Not to mention the residents of the District of Columbia are highly educated and the region has some of the best schools in the country. Each day the District of Columbia continues to be ranked in the top 10 of thriving city indicators where you can live, work and play.
INTRODUCTION
This position is located in the Department on Disability Services (DDS), Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), Intake and Outreach Unit (IOU). The mission of the Administration is to provide comprehensive vocational rehabilitation and independent living services to persons with disabilities, which will maximize their quality of life and promote their employability and economic self-sufficiency, independence, inclusion and integration into society, and adjudication of disability claims. The incumbent has the overall responsibility for developing effective and productive relationships with providers, clients, families, staff, and contract benefits specialists.
MAJOR DUTIES
- Develop and facilitate marketing for benefits information sessions for RSA providers and partner agencies, clients, and internal staff to build confidence regarding benefits and work incentive programs
- Conduct outreach efforts to disseminate accurate information to clients, families, stakeholders, and employment staff of the agency that focus on work incentive programs and related issues.
- Provide clients with comprehensive and accurate information on the impact of employment on benefits and supports their self-determination and economic self-sufficiency.
- Provide benefits information sessions for clients and distributes packet with information forms. Receive information forms from clients and forward the appropriate form to the Social Security Administration (SSA) to get all relevant information and reports regarding the status of the individual, concerning payments, work incentives, etc.
- Develop partnerships with SSA and establish a designated point of contact within the agency to ensure efficient and quick turnaround for requests to improve the quality of services provided to consumers.
- Provide training to community partners and other government agencies on Benefits Counseling, as well as various work incentives available to consumers, to help bridge the information gap among social service agencies.
- Participate in community resource fairs, events, school activities, disability awareness functions, etc. to increase outreach efforts and increase access to benefits counseling services.
- Notify agency of updates and changes to laws and work incentives.
- Update presentations, paperwork and information that is distributed to clients, staff, and community partners to include new laws, policies, and regulations.
- Coordinate benefit clinics and conduct events in which external benefits specialists provide services to RSA clients. If additional services are required, receives, reviews, and approves those requests.
- Provide introduction to financial literacy skills and provide financial literacy resources and links to community providers.
- Perform other duties as assigned
Applicant must have one (1) year of Specialized Experience at the next lower grade level. Four (4) years of related work experience that equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to inform clients of benefits available as they return to work, obtain specific information from SSA regarding client's current benefits and provide this information to VR Specialists to facilitate referrals for more in-depth benefits counseling.
Applicants must have met the qualifications requirement for this position by the closing date to be eligible for this position.
EDUCATION
Degree: behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position and three years of specialized experience
OR
Combination of education and experience that provided the applicant with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.
OR
Four years of appropriate experience that demonstrated that the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.
Licensures, Certifications And Other Requirements
Incumbent must be certified by the Social Security Administration as a Community Work Incentive Coordinator (CWIC) to perform these duties. After receiving certification, the incumbent is expected to continue to stay abreast of all changes and updates and must maintain certification throughout the entirety of their employment through completing no less than 18 continuing education credits by the designated deadline per year and passing the assessments associated with each class. If ALL assessments are not passed, the certification is revoked.
An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
Work Experience/Knowledge Required
Knowledge of federal and District laws, regulations, policies, and procedures regarding vocational rehabilitation, supported employment, and independent living services.
Comprehensive knowledge of Social Security benefits programs of sufficient breadth or intensity to be able to inform the client of work incentive programs and the impact of employment on these benefits and the ability to analyze and correct systems and operational problems, or to engage new methods, procedures, and other guidelines to facilitate the desired outcome.
Knowledge of and ability to interpret District and Federal laws, rules and regulations governing the administration of Social Security and other public benefits programs, basic operations, and inter-relationships among programs, specifically in terms of their impact upon employment.
Knowledge and skill sufficient to resolve a variety of client benefits issues that affect the resolution of problems impacting their return to work or other desired solutions.
Knowledge of terminology used to describe certain disabilities and awareness of cultural and political issues pertaining to various populations and to various disabilities.
Demonstrated competency in interviewing and partnering skills.
Ability to interpret broad procedures and regulations and to coordinate and evaluate implementation of Social Security Administration policies and procedures regarding case development, documentation, and resolution.
Skill in using this knowledge to resolve cases in which issues, circumstances and/or governing provisions require advanced technical proficiency; to decide special entitlement matters; and to perform other similar program related functions.
Skill in the use of a computer.
Collective Bargaining Unit
This position is in the collective bargaining unit represented by local union AFSCME 2401.
Additional Information
Once applications are submitted, applicants will not be able to change their responses to the online questions.
The position for which the individual is applying has been identified and designated as requiring enhanced suitability screening.
If tentatively selected for the position, a criminal background check, traffic record check, consumer credit check, and mandatory drug and alcohol test will be conducted (as appropriate); and
The appointee to the position may be offered employment contingent upon receipt of a satisfactory enhanced suitability screening.
Work Schedule
This position requires 4 days a week in the office.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. Your application includes your resume, responses to the online questions, and required supporting documents. Please be sure that your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position; failure to provide sufficient evidence in your resume will result in a "not qualified" determination.
EEO Statement
The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.