Benefits Services Coordinator - Workforce Opportunities

Jericho Project; New York (NY); On-site; USD 66,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Jericho Project in Manhattan seeks a Benefits Services Coordinator to enhance capacity and educate staff on public benefits for veterans, low-income families, and people with disabilities.

This non-exempt role reports to the Coordinator of Young Adult Employment Services and manages SOAR teams, eligibility inventories, and government liaison activities to maximize access to benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Extensive knowledge of public benefits programs.
• Experience counseling low‑income families and veterans.
• Excellent presentation and written communication skills.
• Ability to travel across the five boroughs.
• Team-oriented with collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategies for continuous quality improvement of benefits services.
• Lead educator on entitlements; design and deliver internal trainings for staff and management.
• Identify and recommend offsite trainings related to the public benefits systems.
• Create systems for communicating changes in entitlement policies to staff.
• Liaise with government offices and troubleshoot benefits applications.
• Recruit for and manage SOAR Specialist teams; oversee certifications, maintain data and monthly reports.
• Educate and coach SOAR Specialists on preparing and submitting SOAR applications.
• Train and supervise Benefits Specialist positions; complete performance reviews and monthly reports.
• Develop and maintain inventory of clients’ eligibility and benefit access.
• Oversee documentation of benefits in Jericho’s data system; submit related reports.
• Manage communication with Jericho Directors; evaluate gaps and develop new initiatives.
• Facilitate staff meetings and case conferences related to benefits.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Skills

Benefits counseling

Public benefits knowledge

Staff training

Data reporting

SOAR expertise

Team collaboration

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Benefits Services Coordinator - Workforce Opportunities

Jericho Project is a nationally recognized nonprofit that has been working to end homelessness at its roots since 1983. What began as a Manhattan soup kitchen has grown into a citywide organization serving nearly 3,000 New Yorkers each year—including over 700 veterans, as well as young adults and families, many of whom identify as LGBTQ+.

Jericho provides more than 600 units of supportive housing through seven permanent residences in the Bronx and Harlem, along with scattered-site apartments throughout New York City. Our housing-first model is paired with wraparound services delivered by skilled case managers, licensed mental health clinicians, and workforce development specialists. Together, these services support our four pillars of stability: housing, employment, wellness, and family.

In 2024, Jericho facilitated over 570 housing placements, helped secure nearly 275 job placements, and delivered over 750 therapy sessions through our in‑house Jericho Therapy Program. As we move toward expanding our reach by an additional 2,000 units of housing, we remain committed to helping individuals and families build lasting independence and well‑being—one person, one home, and one community at a time.

About Jericho Project Jericho Project is a nationally recognized nonprofit that has been working to end homelessness at its roots since 1983. What began as a Manhattan soup kitchen has grown into a citywide organization serving nearly 3,000 New Yorkers each year—including over 700 veterans, as well as young adults and families, many of whom identify as LGBTQ+.

Jericho provides more than 600 units of supportive housing through seven permanent residences in the Bronx and Harlem, along with scattered‑site apartments throughout New York City. Our housing‑first model is paired with wraparound services delivered by skilled case managers, licensed mental health clinicians, and workforce development specialists. Together, these services support our four pillars of stability: housing, employment, wellness, and family.

In 2024, Jericho facilitated over 570 housing placements, helped secure nearly 275 job placements, and delivered over 750 therapy sessions through our in‑house Jericho Therapy Program. As we move toward expanding our reach by an additional 2,000 units of housing, we remain committed to helping individuals and families build lasting independence and well‑being—one person, one home, and one community at a time.

About the Position Benefits Services Coordinator will enhance capacity, educate staff, and provide technical assistance on all matters related to public benefits systems and entitlements for Veterans, low‑income individuals and families, people living with disabilities, and low‑income young adults, in order to facilitate and maximize access to benefits for Jericho clients.

Position: Benefits Services Coordinator

Location: Manhattan

Reports To: Coordinator of Young Adult Employment Services

Status: Non‑Exempt

Compensation: $66,300.00 to $70,000.00 annualized

Responsibilities :

• Develop and implement strategies for continuous quality improvement of benefits services delivered to Jericho tenants and program participants.
• Perform as Lead educator on entitlements; design and deliver internal trainings for staff and management as needed.
• Identify and recommend offsite trainings related to the public benefits systems and resources for Jericho staff.
• Create systems for regularly communicating changes in the government entitlement policies and procedures with Jericho staff and management.
• Liaise with government offices on behalf of staff and troubleshoot problems in the benefits application process.
• Recruit for and manage the Adult and Child SOAR Specialist teams; oversee certifications, maintain accurate data and prepare monthly reports; complete quality reviews of applications.
• Educate and coach SOAR Specialists on preparing and submitting SOAR applications, including medical summaries; provide technical assistance as needed by the complexity of applications.
• Train and supervise the Benefits Specialist positions; complete performance reviews, prepare monthly reports and other required administrative tasks.
• Develop, maintain, and update an inventory of Jericho clients’ eligibility for benefits, application status and access to benefits.
• Oversee and ensure timely documentation of benefits in Jericho’s data management system; prepare and submit related reports as requested by staff, management, and funders.
• Manage communication with Jericho Directors, evaluate gaps in Benefits Services and develop new initiatives in response.
• Facilitate periodic staff meetings and case conferences related to benefits.
• Other responsibilities as assigned and required by the emerging needs of programs and clients.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Superb knowledge of benefits and public benefits systems, as well as, prior experience providing benefits counseling to low‑income families and veterans are required.
• Excellent presentation, oral and written communication skills required.
• Ability to work and produce desired performance outcomes in a team environment, requiring high level of collaboration, cooperation, and team work.
• Ability to travel throughout the five boroughs.

ADA Specifications:

This position requires the ability to lift up to 50 lbs. Ability to travel to various sites. One must possess the ability to speak, hear, see, and write as well as the ability to use a computer and related software programs. Local and/or national travel required and may require some longer weekday/weekend commitments to accomplish related business projects or meet deliverables.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees feel welcome and valued. We believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to our success.

DISCLAIMER

This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the position and its essential functions. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of the duties and responsibilities that may be assigned to the staff member. The specific duties and responsibilities of the position may change from time to time, as determined by the needs of the organization. The staff member must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.