What are the responsibilities and job description for the Benefits Navigator, Student Basic Needs Support Program position at Cuyahoga Community College?
Department: Access & Completion
Location: Metropolitan Campus
Reports To: INT Exec Dir, Stud Fin Aid
Recruitment Type: External/Internal
Requisition ID: req4791
Employment Type: Full-Time Support Staff
Union Position: Non-Union
Work Schedule: Standard College Hours
Number of Openings: 1
Job Description:
Serves as the liaison for students in accessing public benefits that address basic needs ranging from food pantries and funding for affordable housing to transportation and child care. The Student Liaison, Public Programs Access will develop a long-term strategy to coordinate federal, state and/or local agencies and community-based organizations to ensure student’s basic needs are met, alleviating them from the stresses to focus on their education and future career.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Assist students in identifying public benefits and programs at the federal, state and local level that support students in addressing two or more of the following basic needs:
o Housing
o Transportation
o Health (physical, mental, behavioral, and trauma)
o Child care
o Technology
- Collaborate with counseling services and financial aid on campus, as well as Jobs and Family Services to ensure students are aware of/taking advantage of all programs available to them. Assists students to enroll in programs that are needed
- Fosters a welcoming and supportive environment that destigmatizes asking for help and assistance is given without judgement
- Partners with students to develop a long-term strategy to ensure their needs are met
- Provides ongoing case management to increase student success and retention in the student’s selected program
- Performs other duties as assigned
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE/TRAINING
- Associate’s Degree or higher in social work, human services or related field
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES
- Demonstrated ability in working with people on sensitive and highly personal information
- Ability to confidentially and discreetly handle subject matters requiring privacy and sensitivity
- Ability to identify needs and find/provide solutions
- Ability to develop and maintain relationships with key contacts to enhance work flow and quality
- Ability to organize work and set priorities within a general structure
- Demonstrated commitment to cultural diversity
- Basic-level proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Possess personal communication and relationship building skills, including listening, oral and written communications; and ability to gather and share ideas among diverse groups
- Possess innovative networking skills
- Sensitivity to respond appropriately to the needs of a diverse population
COMPETENCIES
CRITICAL COMPETENCIES
- Service Focus
- Communication
- Adaptability
VERY IMPORTANT COMPETENCIES
- Quality of Work
- Collaboration
IMPORTANT COMPETNCIES
- Continuous Improvement
- Time Utilization
PERFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
(Or equivalent job-related experience providing the necessary knowledge, skill, and abilities to perform the functions of this position proficiently)
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE/TRAINING
- Prior experience working with public benefits
- Prior experience working with a diverse population of students
PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS
(The demands 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.)
- The work is performed in a normal, professional office environment;
- The work area is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated;
- Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform the duties of the job and will perform repetitive motions with hands/fingers using a computer mouse and keyboard to type. However, there may be some walking; standing; bending; carrying of light items such as papers, files, pamphlets, books, etc.;
- Work may also require walking and standing in conjunction with travel to and attendance at meetings and conferences away from the worksite
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT
Cuyahoga Community College is committed to attaining excellence through the recruitment and retention of a qualified and diverse workforce. Cuyahoga Community College is an equal employment/educational opportunity institution.
Special Note:
Special Instructions to Applicants: During the application process, you may be required to attach a cover letter and/or resume. It is recommended that you have these documents ready to be attached electronically to the online application. This system accepts only MS Word or PDF attachments. Any employment with the College is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background check and drug screen.
Affirmative Action Statement: Cuyahoga Community College is committed to attaining excellence through the recruitment and retention of a qualified and diverse workforce. Cuyahoga Community College is an equal employment/educational opportunity institution.