Benefits Specialist II

Job Description

Job Description

Who We Are :

The Atlanta Community Food Bank is working to end hunger in our community with the food, people and big ideas needed so that no one worries where their next meal is coming from. Since 1979, we’ve been providing food for a growing network of nonprofit partners – including food pantries, community kitchens, childcare centers, night shelters and senior centers. We currently serve more than 700 partners in 29 counties across metro Atlanta and north Georgia.

Where You’ll Work :

Benefits Outreach / Partner Relations

About the Role :

The purpose of the Benefits Specialist II is to handle both benefits trainings and to assist clients in submitting applications for public assistance programs. Through a partnership with the Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS), our goal is to facilitate the application process for clients who may have limited access to transportation, have been historically underserved, or need general assistance with the application process. This will be done directly by the Benefits Specialist II or through partners trained by the Benefits Specialist II.

What You’ll Do :

Administration Support / Support Team

Provides the first level of support in addressing assisted sites concerns with application submissions and / or client case issues.

Understands and communicates effectively Georgia State policies with at-risk populations to internal and external partners.

Captures data and maintains partner records, creates reports, communicates results and recommends changes based on the data captured.

Onboarding Experience, Training & Development :

Provide efficient, professional and comprehensive training for all new Benefits Outreach staff, Gateway assisted sites and referral partners.

Creates and updates training programs and content to facilitate the learning of State Assistance Programs including but not limited to SNAP and Medicaid.

Collaborates and supports managers in creating a quality onboarding experience for new staff and community partners

Establish and conduct periodic audit compliance visits to monitor and assess assisted sites and referral partners on the standard required operation of the program.

Maintain expert knowledge of program policy information and changes, such as eligibility requirements, acceptable forms of verification, etc.

Case Management / Build and Nurture Relationships :

Represent the Food Bank with community members and partners as subject matter expert and attend specific DFCS and community meetings.

Establish and build effective relationships externally with current and potential partners.

Collaborate with teams within the department to connect clients and partners to other Food Bank Programs.

Answer questions via phone, voicemail and / or email about organization, public benefits and / or services including internal and external resource programs.

Application Assistance :

Empower potentially eligible people to make an informed decision about whether or not to apply for SNAP and / or other forms of government assistance.

Educate recipients of the recertification process to improve program retention.

Coordinate and conduct application processing through promotional events, arrange application sessions, and use phone calls or emails to screen and enroll potential SNAP participants. Act as a liaison for future client follow-up and communication in collaboration with the direct Benefits Manager.

Collaborate with partner organizations to ensure outreach at the partner’s location is positioned for success.

Customer Service / Performs data and administrative activities :

Capture and record application data, create reports, and communicate results as needed.

Maintain good rapport with partner agencies and clients. Tracks, monitors, and maintains application data in Benefits Outreach CRM and other supporting systems.

Answer questions via phone, voicemail and / or email about organization, public benefits and / or services including providing addresses, directions, and other referral information.

Interact with a diverse group of people in a professional manner.

Our Inclusive Hiring Process :

At the Atlanta Community Food Bank, we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We understand that skills can be gained through a variety of experiences – educational and work. Towards that end, our Inclusive Hiring process is grounded in a skills based hiring approach. That means, we are looking for resumes that demonstrate key transferrable skills that can be applied to our job roles to support both our mission and culture.

Key Competencies we look for in All our Food Bankers are :

Customer Focus

Decision Making

Accountability

The Ability to Navigate Change

If you’re excited about this role and can clearly demonstrate these and the other skills named below, we encourage you to apply.

What You’ll Need : Skills and Experience your resume should demonstrate :

Extensive experience supporting a senior executive, including demonstrated experience multi tasking, project management, engaging with other senior leaders, community leaders, or the like, as well as utilizing discretion, attention to detail, and research capability.

Demonstrated experience working with the public; assisting individuals with benefits enrollment, recommending services, problem solving issues, or the like.

Work history that includes attention to detail, collecting, maintaining, and documenting information and complying with compliance procedures / protocols.

Experience providing excellent customer service, including clear communication, problem resolution and follow up, etc.

Must be proficient in Microsoft and have experience using Microsoft Apps such as Outlook, Excel, Teams, OneDrive, SharePoint, etc.

This position works with diverse populations, so the individual must demonstrate solid skills working with elderly, linguistically diverse, interfaith, BIPOC, and LGBTQx groups.

Even Better if You Have :

Knowledge of working with DFCS Geogia Gateway programs and policies.

Second language skills, preferably Spanish.

Detailed knowledge of all DFCS programs to include SNAP, Medical Assistance, and WIC.

There may be some Physical Demands and Travel :

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Employee is routinely required to lift to 25 lbs.

The employee is frequently required to travel in the local metro Atlanta area to community partner sites. The Benefit Coordinator will work a flexible full-time hourly schedule and be available to occasionally work weekends and / or evenings as assigned.

Employee may primarily work at partner locations, from the ACFB office in East Point, or from one of the CFC locations while overall having a flexible schedule.

Must have a valid driver’s license.

Expectation :

We are committed to providing employees with an environment of mutual respect in which the values of Diversity, Safety, Continuous Improvement, and Hard work are supported and encouraged. We work diligently to engender fairness, responsibility, trustworthiness, and teamwork to advance our mission : To fight hunger by engaging, educating, and empowering our community.