Intake Specialist

FLSA: Non-Exempt/Overtime Eligible

Benefits: Eligible

Hours Per Week: 40/Full-time

Met Council is America’s largest Jewish charity dedicated to serving the needy. We fight poverty through comprehensive social services and by treating each client with compassion, integrity, and respect. Our programs are staffed by experts who help over 325,000 clients each year and advocate on behalf of all needy New Yorkers. Our services include 100% affordable housing at 21 locations, family violence services, Holocaust survivor assistance, geriatric social work, crisis intervention and the largest free kosher food distribution program in the world. Our network of 101 food pantries, affordable housing sites, and affiliated JCCs provide services directly in neighborhoods across New York City.

Position Summary:

The role of the Intake Specialist in the Brooklyn Hub department is to work effectively with clients of all backgrounds impacted by poverty. This includes answering phone calls, meeting with and assessing clients for needed services, formulating and implementing goal-oriented plans, assisting clients with applications for needed services, providing appropriate referrals, and case management services.

Principal Responsibilities:

While working directly with clients at the Brooklyn Hub, the Intake Specialist should be able to:

• Answer client calls and formulate individualized goal-oriented plans with each client.
• Conduct in-person and remote intakes and input information into the EMR.
• Conduct home visits with clients as needed (on rare occasions).
• Assess clients’ needs and determine clients’ eligibility for multiple programs, benefits, and financial assistance.
• Obtain and upload appropriate documentation to the EMR.
• Perform supportive Case Management services to include assisting clients with applying for public benefits and entitlements, job training and placement services, housing and other services.
• Provide information and referrals to clients regarding resources in the community.
• Conduct regular follow-ups with clients and collaterals to ensure appropriate and effective referrals.
• Provide direct supportive services to clients.
• Recognize and adhere to professional roles and boundaries, assess clients’ capacity to carry out mutually decided upon, realistic goals.
• Complete applications for assistance and maintain appropriate paperwork and database input (i.e. SalesForce) in a timely manner and maintain ongoing contact log notes and related documentation.
• Work effectively with partner agencies.
• Attend trainings and seminars regarding topics related to work.
• Represent agency in meetings as needed.
• Participate in community events and distributions as needed.
• Demonstrate cultural sensitivity to all clients.
• Comply with demands of the funding grant and assist in preparing grant reports.
• Participate in individual supervision, weekly group meetings and monthly Social Service Department meetings.
• Work collaboratively with the Brooklyn Hub team and cover when staff is out, as needed.
• Manage a caseload of clients.
• Additional responsibilities as required.

Competencies:

• Strong communication skills.
• Strong knowledge of government benefits and guidelines and available resources and referrals.
• Attention to detail.
• Strong organizational skills and the capability to multitask.
• Ability to assess safety of clients and create safety plans as needed.
• Capable of serving persons under stress while still providing empathic responses.
• Make timely, informed decisions that take into account fact goal constraints.
• Manage own time, priorities and resources to achieve goals.
• Use Social Work ethics to support client and system needs.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced work environment and make appropriate decisions.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team.
• Able to easily adapt to changes and flexibility in schedule.
• Superior interpersonal skills.

Skill and Education Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Services or related field (preferred).
• Knowledge of government entitlements and resources.
• Social services work experience.
• Excellent computer literacy and word processing skills.
• Experience with Microsoft Word and Excel.

Language Skills:

• Fluent in Yiddish or Hebrew (required).

Reasoning Ability:

• Ability to function effectively within a crisis environment and make appropriate and safe decisions.

Work Environment:

• Must be able to work in a busy environment with a sensitive population.
• Demonstrate cultural sensitivity especially to insular, immigrant and minority groups.

Special Requirements:

This position is based at a Brooklyn satellite office with occasional meetings/trainings at the main location in Manhattan. Client home visits and participating in outdoor events in Brooklyn may be required on occasion.

Compensation: $52,000 to $60,000 per year.

Benefits: Major medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; pre-tax commuter benefits; FSA; 403(b) with employer contribution; plus generous vacation, sick leave, and holidays.