Benefits Counselor

Benefits Counselor

Do friends and family consider you to be passionate about helping others and friendly? Are you a team player who brings a positive, high-energy, and fast-paced mindset to the table? Do you consider yourself to be a self-starter and have strong customer service skills?

This position might be for you!

As Clarifi's newest Benefits Counselor you would be responsible for connecting Clarifi clients with public benefits assistance, helping them to access benefits and live healthier lives. Benefits Counselors provide one-on-one counseling, eligibility screening, and application services for benefits including SNAP grocery assistance, Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and more. As a Benefits Counselor, you would be tasked with serving as a subject matter expert, providing Clarifi clients with knowledgeable and personal assistance as they navigate the often-complicated world of public benefits. Benefits Counselors work closely with Clarifi’s team of Benefits Navigators, who answer calls on the BenePhilly Helpline: a free telephone hotline that assists Philadelphians in connecting with Benefits Counselors. Benefits Counselors report to Clarifi’s Service Delivery Manager.

To learn more about the different ways Clarifi supports clients, including the BenePhilly Helpline, please see https://www.clarifi.org/what-we-do/

Clarifi envisions a world where pathways to financial wellness are accessible to everyone. Our team members are change agents in the communities we serve, each dedicated to empowering individuals to achieve financial resilience and positively impacting their communities. We recognize historic inequities and strive to reverse the systemic effects on marginalized communities. We are dedicated to serving the many diverse communities that make up Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley. To learn more about what motivates us please visit https://www.clarifi.org/who-we-are/

At Clarifi, our people are our power, they’re passionate about helping families across the Delaware Valley to reach their financial goals. We are personal finance and housing experts, we are also connectors, helping clients access financial guidance and community organizations to achieve personalized goals. Learn more about our team at https://www.clarifi.org/who-we-are/team-members/

Clarifi wholeheartedly believes a strong organization is based on the foundation of diverse groups of team members. We believe deeply in employees not only bringing their whole selves to work each day, but also feeling comfortable being their authentic self. We encourage people from each and every background and walk of life to apply for opportunities for which they are passionate about and meet the qualifications.

Clarifi offers:

• A full-time, long-term position
• Awesome benefits
• A wonderful location: 1635 Market Street, 5th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19103
• A Monday - Friday schedule with evenings and Saturdays as needed
• Hybrid work available
• Close-knit team that operates efficiently and with energy
• An opportunity to impact families positively by connecting them with services we provide

Ideal candidates for this role have:

• 3 years’ experience in customer service, financial support, or any other related field
• Experience with client counseling in 1-on-1 settings
• Demonstrated knowledge of public benefits preferred
• Bachelor’s degree in any related field preferred
• Fluency in both English and Spanish preferred
• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to communicate across a wide variety of channels including phone, email, text and chat as needed to help clients
• Strong organizational and time management skills including the ability to prioritize deadlines and perform multiple tasks and projects simultaneously with limited supervision
• Outcome driven with a strong client focus.
• Capable of working in a fast-paced and collegial environment
• Proficiency with Office 365, client management software and web-based applications is required

Day to Day Tasks:

Benefits Counseling

• Take client referrals from the BenePhilly Helpline and contact clients to triage cases and schedule appointments for benefits counseling services, either in-person or over-the-phone.
• Provide benefits counseling services including comprehensive eligibility screenings, assistance applying via online submission portals, guidance with document requirements, and post-submission next steps.
• Provide clients with additional referrals based on needs assessment, including referrals for additional Clarifi services and community referrals.
• Build trusting client relationships by showing empathy, offering clear and relevant guidance, and delivering services with client center, culturally proficient, non-judgmental manner.
• Document client success through client stories (outcomes achieved) or client challenges (barriers) to support program development and inform improved service methods.

Data Quality

• Manage confidential client information with a rigorous dedication to organizational security protocols around every aspect of client data.
• Perform all computer system functions associated with the intake session and client record, including working with internal and external systems and client data management systems. These functions include but are not limited to collecting, tracking and reporting required data.
• Complete program related data entry with minimal errors. Ensure that data collected and input within applicable systems meets agency, funder and regulatory standards.

Administrative

• Provide exceptional client support by collaborating across departments to quickly resolve issues and ensure seamless experience.
• Maintain flexible work schedule, including evening and weekend hours and branch location to respond to business and client need.
• Represent Clarifi at workshops and community events as needed.
• Maintain regular and predictable attendance.
• Compose correspondence and presentations with proper spelling, grammar and articulation.
• Perform special projects and/or assignments as directed by management.

Physical Demands:

There are no special physical demands required by this position. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment:

The environment for this position is a standard office environment. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Travel:

Position is based in one or more of Clarifi office locations and may require travel in Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey and Delaware to other Clarifi offices and partner locations within agency’s service area. Candidate must be able and willing to travel to locations within agency’s full-service area. Travel may also be required to alternate locations for workshops, and/or seminars.

Clarifi reserves the right to change this description at any time. Clarifi practices the concept of equal employment opportunities with respect to hiring, promotions, transfers, pay, discipline, fringe benefits, and all other terms and conditions of employment. No individual will be discriminated against, and no employment decisions will be made, on the basis of an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected disability, marital status, familial status, veteran status, height, weight or citizenship.

Clarifi is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating and maintaining a diverse workforce.