Salary : $52,000.00 - $55,000.00 Annually
Location : Wheaton, IL
Job Type : Full-time
Job Number : 24-00096
Department : Community Services Department
Opening Date : 07 / 22 / 2024
Hours : Monday - Friday 8 : 00 a.m. - 4 : 30 p.m., or 9 : 30 a.m.-6 : 00 p.m.
POSITION SUMMARY
We are pleased to offer the opportunity to work as a Senior Information and Referral Specialist within the DuPage County Department of Community Services.
This position supports the department through responding to requests for assistance in gathering, analyzing and evaluating data relating to needs, and determining appropriate referrals.
This position is dependent on available funding.
DuPage County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsibilities include :
- Assist individuals in focusing on particular needs, and with identifying problems
- Screens clients either by phone or in person for eligibility for programs or services offered and completes calls
- Answers and returns calls on multiple phone lines, including 211 and a comprehensive information & referral line
Completes assessments with call-in and walk-in clients by gathering demographic, income, assets and needs information
Enters demographics and assessment information into multiple database(s)
Assists clients with the completion of applications, applying for assistance, setting appointments or finding appropriate referrals
- Provides advocacy and short term crisis counseling for persons in extreme states of stress, and links them with appropriate resources
- Mails, texts, or emails resource information when needed and follows up with individuals and / or referral agencies to ensure client needs are met
- Provides counseling on health insurance options
- Screens calls for complaints against long term care facilities
- Completes intake reports for allegations of abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, or self-neglect
- Compiles data on number of calls, follow-up calls, source of referrals, and tabulates reports for review by supervisor
- Conducts inquiries and basic research to determine if unknown types of services are available
- Attend meetings and programs related to relevant social service programs the County supports
- Prepares and presents public information material, educational workshops, and represents the unit with service providers
- Performs community outreach in the form of public speaking and educational workshops
REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE
Requirements include the following experience or equivalent combination of training and experience :
- Completion of an Associate's Degree in Human Services, Psychology, or a related field
- Five years of experience in Information and Referral or Social Services
- Must possess and maintain in good standing a valid Illinois Driver's License
- Completion of mandated training for Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) certification within one year
- Must obtain an Inform USA (formerly AIRS) Certification, timeframe for obtaining certification is dependent on education level and prior Information & Referral experience
Additional certifications and / or licenses may be required, dependent on the specific program.
A pre-employment background check is required.
Physical Requirements and Work Environment
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Sedentary Work : Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and / or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.
Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
A general office environment with a moderate noise level, to include some travel to an off-site facility or building in all weather conditions.
DuPage County offers a complete benefit package to full-time employees including medical insurance, dental insurance, vision, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, pension, holidays, vacation, sick leave, deferred compensation plan, tuition reimbursement, pre-paid legal and credit union.
Limited benefits are also offered for eligible part-time positions.
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Select the response below that represents your highest completed level of education.
- Master's Degree from an Accredited Institution
- Bachelor's Degree from an Accredited Institution
- Associate's Degree from an Accredited Institution
- Some college level courses complete but no degree awarded from an Accredited Institution
- High School Diploma or GED
- None of the above
If you possess a degree, in what field / major is the degree? (If no degree, answer with N / A)
How many years of experience do you have in Information and Referral or Social Services?
- 7+ years of relevant experience
- 5-6 years of relevant experience
- 3-4 years of relevant experience
- 1-2 years of relevant experience
- Less than 1 year or No experience
This position requires that you possess and maintain in good standing a valid Illinois Driver's License. Do you possess this requirement?
No, but I possess a valid driver's license within another State and am able to obtain a valid Illinois Driver's License within 90 days of employment.
Do you have professional experience with any of the topics below? (select all that apply)
- Elder Abuse / Neglect
- Domestic Violence
- Reporting to DCFS
- Crisis Intervention
- None of the Above
If you selected any of topics in Question #5 please explain your experience below. If you selected None of the Above enter N / A.
Do you have knowledge in or Certifications to assist individuals apply to the programs listed below? (select all that apply).
- Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP)
- Medicare
- Medicaid
- None of the Above
if you selected any of the topics in Question #7 please explain your experience below. If you selected None of the Above enter N / A.
Please describe your professional experience working with the Senior population.
Are you able to perform the following, with or without an accommodation?Sedentary Work : Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and / or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.
Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.
Required Question