Service Navigator

Job Information

The Division of Aging & Independence is excited to announce two rewarding opportunities to support our mission of helping older adults, people with disabilities, and Veterans connect with essential services. Each position provides meaningful administrative and technical support, but with a distinct program focus. One MAP (Maryland Access Point) Service Navigator

Non-exempt (compensatory and/or overtime eligible); full-time; 40 hours per week; Monday - Friday; 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; full-benefits; Grant funded

This position supports the Maryland Access Point (MAP) Program, which serves as a gateway to long-term care services and community resources. In this role, you will help administer MAP services and conduct Level 1 screenings to determine eligibility for long-term care supports. Supervision is received from the Director of Resource and Service Navigation.

One SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) Service Navigator

Non-exempt (compensatory and/or overtime eligible); full-time; 40 hours per week; Monday - Friday; 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; full-benefits; County funded

This position centers on helping residents navigate their Medicare options. In this role, you will guide individuals through Medicare eligibility, enrollment, and benefits; interpret Federal and State regulations; and support programs such as SHIP, SMP, and MIPPA. You will also identify and report potential Medicare fraud and assist with recruiting, screening, and training volunteers who support these initiatives. Supervision is received from the Director of Resource and Service Navigation.

Frederick County Government values the principles of diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure equal opportunities for its workforce, applicants and community members. If you are a person who wants to make a difference, give back to your community, and be a voice for change, apply to Frederick County Government today.

Total compensation package: Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how highly we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full-time benefited Frederick County Government employee.

• 11 days of vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment
• 15 days of sick leave with unlimited annual carryover
• 11 paid holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays (10 and 11 month employees may not receive all holidays)
• Day 1 coverage of comprehensive medical insurance plan options to include generous County Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including dental, vision, and flexible spending
• Employee health center with no or low-cost primary and urgent care
• 100% County paid 2x annual salary group term life insurance and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) benefit
• County and employee funded defined benefit pension plan
• Work/life balance programs include: employee assistance program and employee wellness program
• Generous tuition reimbursement program
• Other employee-paid benefits such as deferred compensation plan, legal resources, supplemental life insurance, critical illness, accident, and hospital indemnity insurance, lifetime benefit with long term care plan

Note: Benefited employees will accrue service and leave based on the FTE and/or hours worked per calendar year.

For more information, visit our benefits page on the Frederick County Government job opportunities webpage.

Essential Duties and Job Responsibilities

Specific job duties for program areas:

• State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP):
• Provide direct customer service to help people understand their Medicare options as defined by Federal and State rules and regulations
• Assist with administration of the State Health Insurance and Assistance Program (SHIP), Senior Medicare Patrol Program (SMP), Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA)
• Understand and be able to interpret/implement the Federal and State rules/regulations as related to Medicare eligibility, Medicare enrollment, Medicare benefits (including Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D), Medicare Supplement plans, Medicare Savings Programs, and Federal and State subsidy programs
• Report potential cases of Medicare fraud to the SHIP/SMP Program Coordinator and Resource & Service Navigation Department Director
• Assist in the recruitment, screening, and training of volunteers for SHIP and MIPPA program related volunteer opportunities that match their skills and interests
• Maryland Access Point Program (MAP):
• Assist with administration of the Maryland Access Point Program
• Assist with determining a person's eligibility for long term care services and supports (i.e. conduct Level 1 screen)
• Essential duties and job responsibilities for both programs:
• Screen clients for government benefit programs for which they may be eligible and help them complete applications
• Assist with Medicare Part-D and Open Enrollment appointments and related issues as needed
• Provide comprehensive information/assistance to seniors, family members, Veterans, and others by phone, in person, home visits, and workshops
• Distribute updated resource information as appropriate; assure that all inquiries receive comprehensive, timely and accurate replies
• Assist with determining a person's eligibility for long term care (i.e. conduct Level 1 screen)
• Interview clients in person, virtually, in their homes or on the telephone to assess their needs and concerns; provide comprehensive assistance in accessing services
• Input data and information into various software systems; maintain accurate records of participant contacts and follow-up to determine if services were received and satisfactory/sufficient
• Compile and maintain a comprehensive listing of programs, services, resources and other information related to the needs and interests of persons over 60 years of age and Veterans
• Distribute resource information and assure that all inquiries receive comprehensive and accurate reply
• Educate the public, community leaders and other interested parties through public speaking and program development about resources available to the public; offer referrals to other agencies for assistance
• Participate in random moment time studies
• Collaborate with other division programs to meet needs of target population
• Maintain close working relationships with other local, state, federal agencies and various non-profit organizations
• Participate in program monitoring visits by State, Federal and local authorities
• Help prepare articles for publication in newsletters and the newspapers
• Maintain accurate records of participant contacts and follow-up to determine if services were received and satisfactory/sufficient
• Compile and prepare reports and statistics to meet Federal, State and County reporting requirements
• Identify possible funding sources and provide support to grant writing process
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Qualifications and Requirements

The qualifications/requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical requirements or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job:

• Associate's degree in human services, social work, public administration, gerontology, or a related field
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in family support services, social work, or a related human services field
• Possession of a valid driver's license

Substitutions for the above-listed required education and experience is a Bachelor's Degree in human services, social work, public administration, gerontology, or a related field.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities:

• Ability to maintain County Authorized Driver privileges
• Ability to obtain and maintain Community Resource Specialist-Aging/Disabilities (CRS-A/D) certification (MAP position)
• Ability to obtain and maintain National SHIP Counselor Certification and Medicare Open Enrollment/MedD Certification (SHIP position)
• Ability to effectively implement and operate a human services program
• Working knowledge of senior-related programs and services
• Ability to effectively utilize and administer the grant application process
• Considerable knowledge of social services and social programs available in Frederick County, especially those available to older adults and those with a disability
• Strong math and record-keeping skills, including the ability to accurately compile and review fiscal and statistical information and create clear, concise reports
• Ability to creatively solve problems and assist people with a variety of concerns on a daily basis
• Strong and effective spoken and written (English) communication skills, including the ability to make public presentations