Benefits Navigator

Illinois Central College; East Peoria (IL); On-site; USD 53,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Illinois Central College is hiring a Benefits Navigator in East Peoria to support student success through case management, basic needs assistance, and resource referrals. This full-time role reports to the Director of Counseling Services and focuses on connecting students with benefits and community resources to advance departmental goals and the college mission.

The position involves coordinating programs like Cosmo'S Cupboard and related services, supervising student workers, and delivering

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Two years of related experience working with disadvantaged individuals and making community referrals.
• Two or more years of case management experience.
• Ability to drive a passenger van for food pantry distribution.
• Ability to relate and interact well with college students.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong multi-tasking and prioritization skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide case management and benefits support for students with basic needs; assist with eligibility and referrals.
• Maintain understanding of eligibility requirements and stay informed about changes to resources.
• Serve as liaison for homeless students and connect with emergency resources.
• Oversee Cosmo'S Cupboard, Cosmo'S Care Center, and Cosmo'S Closet operations and referrals.
• Manage Childcare Voucher Program for parenting students.
• Deliver presentations on resources and educational topics.
• Collect and analyze data for best practices and annual reports.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

Multi-tasking

Prioritization

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Position Title

Benefits Navigator

Campus

East Peoria Campus

Employment Type

Management, StaffFull time

Department

Counseling Services

Start Date

10/05/2026

Job Description

Summary

As a member of the Division of Student Success at Illinois Central College, the Benefits Navigator is essential in fostering positive student interactions, enhancing student-centered processes, cultivating a sense of belonging, and collaborating to support student success. Reporting directly to the Director of Counseling Services and focused on case management and connecting students with internal and external resources, this position helps to advance departmental and divisional goals while supporting the college’s overall mission and strategic priorities.

The Benefits Navigator is primarily responsible for providing case management, basic needs assistance, and connecting students with benefits and internal and external community resource support. This individual will assist students with meeting their needs through benefits assistance, thorough and intentional referrals, and individualized case management.

Compensation for the Benefits Navigator is $52,915.20 - $59,529.60 annually.

Essential Functions

This list is meant to be representative, not exhaustive. Some incumbents may not perform all the duties listed while in other cases related duties may also be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Facilitate student success by offering personalized support, guiding students to resources, and acknowledging each student's unique story.
• Enhance student success by identifying and providing feedback on process improvements and utilizing data as needed to ensure that resources and services effectively meet student needs.
• Support student success by collaborating to ensure coordinated efforts in addressing student needs and enhancing overall outcomes.
• Advance student success by engaging in ongoing professional development and growth opportunities to stay current with best practices and effectively address evolving student needs.
• Provide case management and benefits support for students requiring assistance with basic needs; includes assisting students in determining eligibility for benefits programs (federal, state, and local) and applying for these programs, as well as identifying and connecting relevant campus and community resources.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of eligibility requirements for benefit programs and stay informed about changes to both internal and external resources.
• Serve as the institution’s liaison for homeless students, connecting them with emergency resources and care networks.
• Oversee and coordinate all aspects of Cosmo'S Cupboard (ICC food pantry), Cosmo'S Care Center (privacy and lactation space), and Cosmo'S Closet (clothing closet); including supervising student workers, organization, policies, direct student assistance and needs-based referrals.
• Manage the Childcare Voucher Program for parenting students with children in childcare.
• Act as a referral source for faculty and staff, helping to connect students with identified resource needs.
• Deliver presentations on available resources and other educational topics when appropriate.
• Collect and analyze data to inform best practices, including annual report metrics and those required for the Benefits Navigator and HOUSE Liaison roles for the state.
• Coordinate culturally specific resources, including those for non-English speakers.
• Serve on committees and contribute to Division-wide responsibilities, including academic advising, as needed.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and abilities required to satisfactorily perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

• Bachelor's degree
• Two years of related experience working with disadvantaged individuals, making community referrals.
• Two or more years of case management experience.
• Ability to drive a passenger van for food pantry distribution
• Ability to relate and interact well with college students.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong multi-tasking and prioritization skills.li>
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to establish and maintain cooperative and professional working relationships with others.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's in related field (social work, psychology, education, sociology, etc.) or higher degree in related field
• Preference for candidate who can speak Spanish.
• Community College experience

EEOC Statement

Illinois Central College provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, ancestry, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or familial status, order of protection status, use of VESSA rights, genetic information, military or veteran status (including discharge status), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Illinois Central College offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees, including:

• paid time off;
• 11 paid holidays; 2 floating holidays
• medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance;
• tuition waivers for employee, spouse and dependent children;
• on-site childcare center;
• 403(b) retirement plans; and
• State University Retirement System pension plan.

To learn more about full-time health care benefits at ICC.